A punked-up take on Burt Bacharach's "What's New Pussycat" soundtrack tune (the composer reportedly wasn't pleased), this was an early single for the L.A.-based Love.
The original version, by Manfred Mann, was light with jazz touches. But this is all relentlessly pounding drums and bass. The vocals are pure aggression, not resignation.
Fronted by the charismatic Arthur Lee, Love is one of the 60s' lost treasures.
Never given much attention in its prime, the band has taken on cult status, particularly its 1967 masterwork "Forever Changes," which seamlessly blends standard rock band instrumentation with strings and horns--all topped off with Lee's oddball lyrics. If you're a fan of "Pet Sounds" or "Sgt. Pepper," it's one you've gotta hear.
Available: Via iTunes, on Love's eponymous debut album, and on the Rhino compilation "Love Story," which includes all the band's best albums tracks, singles and "Forever Changes" in its entirety.
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