The phrase "lost psych classic" is very much overused, but this 1968 effort from the harmony pop group best known for their hit "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" deserves the moniker.
Their record label was non-plussed by the new experimental direction the band were taking and refused to put the album out, which is a shame because it deserves to be much better known.
Perhaps the best way to describe the album is sunshine pop-psych, similar to the Beach Boys' lysergically inspired work like Smiley Smile or Friends.
The songs are short, often funny with great melodies, harmonies and arrangements and the record immediately became one of my favourites. Subject matter includes toilet wall graffiti, an advertisement for pot, sex, animals... Unfortunately, despite the large number of songs on the album, it's barely 30 minutes long, as many albums were in those days. Still, it never outstays its welcome.
The Tokens, who have been going since the 50s, prove it's never too late to go psych.