Consumer Guide Album

The Naked Carmen [Mercury, 1970]
The aptest instance of overpretension in the history of rock-is-art. It makes more sense to do a rock/pop take-off on a vulgar work in a vulgar genre than to collaborate on derivative moderne with Zubin Mehta (the Mothers) or stick your amps in front of a notoriously venal symphony orchestra (Deep Purple). The c&w version of "The Toreador Song" is perfect. Great package, too. I may even keep it. C