Album Review: Together As A Way Of Life by Illusion, The
Alright, let’s dive into this one—Together As A Way Of Life by Illusion, The. Released back in 1970 on Steed Records, this US-born gem sits snugly in the realms of Psychedelic Rock and Classic Rock. At first glance, it feels like just another album from the era, but give it a spin, and you’ll realize there’s something kinda special here.
Now, I’m not gonna pretend every track blew my socks off—I mean, some songs are straight-up meh—but when it clicks, it clicks. Two tracks that stuck with me? “How Does It Feel” and “Peace Pipe.” Let me break it down for ya.
“How Does It Feel” kicks things off with this groovy, almost hypnotic vibe. The guitar work is smooth but has this raw edge to it, like they didn’t overthink it too much (and honestly? That’s what makes it work). The vocals feel real, man, like someone just pouring their heart out without trying to impress anyone. You can practically picture them jamming in some dimly lit studio, vibing hard. It’s one of those songs where halfway through, you’re like, “Wait…is this still playing? Oh yeah, it is.” Total head-nod material.
Then there’s “Peace Pipe,” which hits different. It’s got this trippy, layered sound that screams ‘70s psychedelia. Like, imagine sitting cross-legged in a field somewhere, staring at clouds while the world spins around you—that’s the energy. The drums have this steady heartbeat rhythm, and the keys? Man, they swirl around your brain like a warm hug. There’s a moment near the end where everything drops out except for this haunting little riff—it’s simple, sure, but damn if it doesn’t stick with you.
The rest of the album? Solid, but not groundbreaking. Tracks like “Love Me Girl” and “Happy Days” bring decent energy, though they don’t stray far from the classic rock playbook. And hey, sometimes that’s all you need—a few solid riffs, heartfelt lyrics, and zero pretension. Songs like “Angel” and “Once In A Lifetime” lean more introspective, which adds some nice variety, even if they don’t hit as hard as the standouts.
What really gets me about this album is how unpolished it feels. These guys weren’t chasing perfection—they were chasing vibes. Sure, some parts could’ve used another take or two, but honestly? That rough-around-the-edges charm is half the appeal. It’s like hanging out with an old friend who tells great stories but occasionally stumbles over their words—you wouldn’t trade that authenticity for anything.
So yeah, Together As A Way Of Life isn’t gonna top everyone’s list, but if you dig Psychedelic Rock or just wanna hear what rock sounded like before auto-tune existed, this one’s worth a shot. Plus, listening to it made me wonder…how many bands today would even dare to sound this loose and human? Food for thought.
Oh, and random note—I couldn’t stop picturing these guys wearing bell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts while recording this. Call it a hunch.
