The Travel Agency – The Travel Agency

Found this in a Goodwill recently for .99 cents, bought it based on the cover and I have no idea what I did in this life to get so lucky. Amazing record I hadn’t even heard of before that just feel into my lap. Such is the power of the Travel Agency!

That riff in "What's a man" smells like smells like teen spirit...

I can't believe there hasn't been a rediscovery of this fabulous record yet, but sometimes it happens ..

Is this a real mono mix or just a fold down?

One of my newer albums in the collection, I have just now had a chance to enjoy it’s beautiful and mellow vibes on wax as of yet. It’s a splendid album, and also pretty much where Kurt Cobain ripped the intro to “Smells Like Teen Spirit” from. I mean just listen to the first track. Nevertheless, despite their obvious influences on other works, The Travel Agency somehow remains an unknown band and interesting footnote at best as of right now. Why? No clue. The other tracks are just as good as the first, with a great sort of almost gypsy punk psychedelic bop and groove beginning after the first song, and varying wildly throughout. This is the original 1968 Viva Press with flag(?) labels. My copy is Stereo.

It’s also one of two albums in my collection that looks pretty bad condition wise but I have no intention of replacing. Sometimes the damaged albums have sentimental value. I purchased this one from a record store that meant something to me for a meager $15. Didn’t notice total splitting at the bottom somehow in my excitement at the actual LP being in very good shape. A little glue to the bottom of the sleeve and it should be basically VG+/VG(Repaired).

It has a warm and pleasant static electricity crackle throughout. Mellow, peaceful, and particularly relaxing while still being suitably experimental for my taste. Big fan! Excellent album. I would absolutely recommend a copy.

*continues vocalizing in Herbie Hancock-esque 1973 Watermelon Man piercing shouts to Cadillac George*

11/10

Favorite Track: Sorry You Were Born/So Much Love and Make Love (which are totally supposed to be a combo)

don't be silly it really isn't the same is it.

First track, first side, very noisy. Sounds like a copy of VG,VG+ .... Listenable as a whole but will be looking for a better copy

This album may not be well-known about record collectors today but it has that kind of innocent teen spirit which remains untouched after decades on. Nice record for afficiandos of psychedelic obscurities and also recommended to people who want to get on with the young today.

Wow, "What's a man" guitar riff is Nirvana's "Smells like teen spirit" riff...