Rhinoceros
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Album Summary
Rhinoceros dropped their self-titled debut in 1968 on Elektra Records, and baby, this was no ordinary arrival. Assembled from a constellation of seasoned players who had already paid their dues across the American rock and blues circuit, the band came together under the vision of producer Paul Rothchild — the same man who had helmed records for The Doors — and that pedigree shows in every groove. Recorded as the summer of love was giving way to something harder, something more electric and restless, this album captured a group of musicians who were serious about their craft, blending blues grit, psychedelic color, and rock muscle into something that felt both of its moment and slightly ahead of it. Rhinoceros had assembled what many considered a supergroup of the underground, and this debut was their declaration of intent to the world.
Reception
- The album made its presence known on the Billboard 200, giving Rhinoceros a commercial foothold in the crowded and fiercely competitive late 1960s rock marketplace.
- Critical response at the time acknowledged the band's raw energy and the impressive musicianship on display, with particular warmth for the way the group moved between styles without ever losing its sense of identity.
Significance
- This album stands as a genuine artifact of that extraordinary moment when American rock was tearing down genre walls — Rhinoceros wove together blues-rock firepower, soul feeling, and psychedelic atmosphere in a way that felt organic rather than calculated, and that is a rare and beautiful thing.
- The self-titled debut reflects the spirit of late 1960s Los Angeles rock at full creative boil, with a band of individually accomplished musicians finding a collective voice that was bigger and stranger than the sum of its parts.
- Apricot Brandy emerged from this album as one of the most enduring instrumental moments of the era, a churning, hypnotic piece that demonstrated just how much raw power this band could generate when they locked in together.
Samples
Tracklist
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A1 When You Say You're Sorry 180
3:53
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A2 Same Old Way 120
2:02
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A3 Apricot Brandy 127
1:57
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A4 That Time Of The Year 79
4:12
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A5 You're My Girl (I Don't Want To Discuss It) —
4:43
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B1 I Need Love 173
4:23
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B2 I've Been There 72
4:24
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B3 Belbuekus 172
2:25
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B4 Along Comes Tomorrow 174
4:37
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B5 I Will Serenade You 87
3:16
Artist Details
Rhinoceros was a late-60s Los Angeles supergroup assembled in 1967 by Elektra Records producer Paul Rothchild, pulling together seasoned musicians from outfits like the Strangers, the McCoys, and the Purple Gang to craft a bold, bluesy rock sound that blended hard rock with psychedelic and soul influences. They dropped three albums between 1968 and 1969, never quite breaking through to the mainstream despite serious label backing and genuine chops, leaving behind a catalog that collectors and deep-cut enthusiasts have treasured as a prime example of that raw, untamed late-60s rock spirit. Though they faded before their time, Rhinoceros stands as a fascinating footnote in the story of rock's evolution, a reminder that the era was bursting with talented cats who just couldn't catch the right wave.
