Evolution (Mono/Stereo)

The Hollies plunged into psychedelia headfirst in early 1967 with Evolution, easily their boldest, most ambitious album to date (and perhaps ever). It's been reissued a handful of times, even once in the United States by Sundazed Records, but all of those earlier editions have to take a backseat to the 2004 Japanese mini-LP format CD. The new remastering exposes the bass and drums as well as the fuzztone-laden lead guitar on "Then the Heartaches Begin" better than even the British EMI 100th Anniversary version from 1999, and also brings out the acoustic guitar on "Stop Right There," and the chiming strings, bongos, and marching band accompaniment for "Water on the Brain" more sharply than ever before. But on "Rain on the Window," it's the voices that are brought up close, the exquisite harmonies blooming gently above the melodically strummed acoustic guitar, Bobby Elliott's drumming exposed subtly, even under the gorgeous French horn solo in the break. The mono and stereo mixes are both present, the latter putting the instruments practically in your lap. Also on hand are four bonus tracks, the gorgeously remastered "Carrie Anne" in mono and stereo, the latter including a fragment of studio chatter ahead of its start, and its B-side, "Signs That Will Never Change," also in mono and stereo. The difference in sound quality between this CD and the British EMI 100th anniversary edition isn't quite so great that anyone can responsibly recommend an upgrade, except to those with the budget to handle it and a perfectionist bent, but for anyone planning on starting to delve into the Hollies' music seriously, this CD, and the similar Japanese edition of Butterfly are ideal places to start. ~ Bruce Eder|