Rock music in the U.S. during the tumultuous year of 1968 found itself in an eclectic and fascinating state. As showcased in Grapefruit’s 2024 collection, *Can’t Seem to Come Down: American Sounds of 1968*, the musical strands that once appeared unified were beginning to unravel. Garage rock was morphing into acid rock as bands aimed for a heavier sound, experimental groups were pushing boundaries further, bubblegum pop was evolving, and baroque pop was becoming increasingly intricate. Adding to the mix were the nascent sounds of country-rock and proto-Americana, as well as mainstream pop artists adopting the counterculture’s aesthetic.
This compilation features prominent names like The Band, The Grateful Dead, The Monkees, Tommy James & the Shondells, The Beach Boys, The Velvet Underground, Buffalo Springfield, and Bob Dylan. It also highlights cult favorites such as Love, Nazz, Silver Apples, The Seeds, and The Merry-Go-Round, alongside lesser-known acts like The Yankee Dollar, Brass Buttons, The Sunstone Lollypop, Piece Kor, and The Sidewalk Skipper Band. These obscurities provide fascinating discoveries, balancing the collection against the more familiar sounds of the era. Any compilation that includes tracks as diverse as Iron Butterfly’s “In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida,” Brian Hyland’s “Delilah,” Captain Beefheart’s “Safe as Milk,” the 1910 Fruitgum Company’s “(Poor Old) Mr. Jensen,” and Tom Rush’s “No Regrets” is undoubtedly telling a rich, multifaceted story. For the most part, it succeeds. While expanding the scope to include soul and country music, both undergoing significant transformations, could have added another layer of depth, the focused approach allows the compilers to uncover hidden gems within rock.
Some standout tracks include Diamond Rings’ jangly folk-rock weeper “Which End Is Up,” Del Shannon’s intensely melodramatic “Silver Birch,” Velvet Haze’s pummeling punk blues freak-out “Last Day on Earth,” and Lemon Fog’s minor-key bummer trip “Summer.” These nuggets, combined with rare tracks from well-known artists like The Beach Boys’ “Little Bird” and The Left Banke’s “Dark Is the Bark,” create a collection that appeals to both casual listeners and dedicated diggers. Can’t Seem to Come Down: American Sounds of 1968* is a near-perfect collection from Grapefruit, capturing the roller coaster-like nature of a pivotal year in music. It leaves listeners eagerly anticipating their take on 1969.
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