Firesign Theatre: Phil Austin, Peter Bergman, David Ossman, Philip Proctor.

Producers: Gary Usher, Firesign Theatre.

Reissue producer: Bob Irwin.

Recorded in 1968. Originally released on Columbia (9518).

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

Personnel: John Fresno (vocals, guitar, saxophone); Philip Austin (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Phil Proctor (vocals, violin, flute); David Ossman (vocals, percussion).

Audio Mixer: Jen Wyler.

Recording information: 1967.

Photographer: Frank Laffitte.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Philip Austin; Phil Proctor; Peter Bergman; David Ossman.

When Firesign Theatre graduated from free-form FM radio to the album format, they brought a lot of their radio experience with them. This included a thorough knowledge of media and the willingness to skewer anything and everything. Album opener "Temporarily Humboldt County" takes square aim at America's shoddy treatment of its aboriginal peoples, and scores a bulls-eye, with not a wasted word. "Beat the Reaper" is a funny game-show spoof. Much of the rest of the album drifts into less notable territory, with many references to the drug culture and being "hip" and "groovy." There's a lot of great wordplay, but quite a bit of the material doesn't date very well. ~ Sean Carruthers