- Original Album Series · 1968
- Anthology · 1968
- Crimson and Clover · 1968
- I Think We're Alone Now · 1967
- The Complete Roulette Albums · 1966
- Crimson & Clover · 1968
- Anthology · 1971
- Anthology · 1967
- Crimson & Clover · 1968
- Celebration: The Complete Roulette Recordings (1966-1973) · 1989
- Crimson & Clover · 1968
- Sing Through the Decades · 1989
- Original Album Series · 1966
Essential Albums
- 1968
- Tommy James & The Shondells were known as a singles artist; their albums were considered a secondary concern. But that doesn’t mean they didn’t record several substantial albums during their prime. There is no conceptual thrust here or any grand ambition, but the songs themselves are quite good. “Mony Mony” was the blockbuster hit, but other tracks such as the nicely orchestrated “Do Unto Me,” the Beach Boys-like vocal swoons of “(I’m) Taken” and the ambitious jolt of “Somebody Cares” make for a satisfying snapshot of mid-‘60s pop-rock. “Gingerbread Man,” with its groovy organ, proves the group was very aware of the psychedelic world, figuring out ways to acclimate without losing their commercial appeal. “Some Kind of Love” adds congas to the lively vocal interplay that gave the group much of their glory. While 1968 was a dark time for the nation and much of the music reflected this, Tommy James & The Shondells found rays of light to keep spirits up.
Albums
- 1970
- 1969
- 1968
- 1968
- 1967
- 1966
Artist Playlists
- Bubblegum kings who opened their minds to psychedelia.
Compilations
About Tommy James & The Shondells
Few acts had a better run on the pop charts in the '60s than Tommy James & the Shondells. James has a strong, expressive voice and a way with upbeat pop tunes that have a solid rock & roll punch. The band crafted superior AM pop/rock tunes like "Hanky Panky," "I Think We're Alone Now," "It's Only Love," and "Mony Mony." As psychedelia worked its way into mainstream acceptance later in the decade, they kept up with the times on the hits "Crimson and Clover" and "Crystal Blue Persuasion." The Shondells weren't considered very hip in their heyday, but they remain one of the best-remembered acts of the era. 1967's I Think We're Alone Now and 1969's trippy Cellophane Symphony were strong albums from the group's original run.
- ORIGIN
- Niles, MI, United States
- FORMED
- 1964
- GENRE
- Rock