Them - Time Out! Time In For Them - 1968

Issued less than a year after the "Now and Them" set and in the wake of multi-instrumentalist Ray Elliott's departure, "Time Out! Time In for Them" was another strong effort. Continuing their partnership with American producer Ray Ruff, the set found Them having fully reinvented themselves as a psychedelic outfit. Unless you knew they were Irish, there simply was no way you would have made the connection; the ten songs having a disctinctive American feel. Largely written by Tom Lane and Sharon Pulley (anyone know anything about the pair?), the album found Them apparently determined to kill off their earlier scruffy R&B image. The resulting ten tracks melding trippy lyrics ('Waltz of the Flies' and 'The Moth'), raga influenced rhythm patterns ('Black Widow Spider' and 'Just One Conception'), tons of sitar (Time Out For Time In'), and fuzz guitar ('Young Woman') into a first-rate psych album. Even more fascinating was the fact the results remained so commercial and catchy - check out 'We've All Agreed To Help'). The downside was that anyone who had latched onto the band for their R&B moves was going to be thoroughly disappointed by this set. With the possible exception of the song '', nothing on this collection even remotely recalled that earlier sound. Still, seldom have I seen a band so successfully reinvent itself. Unfortunately, unlike it's predecessor, the album generated little attention and failed to chart. (This is another one listed in Hans Pokora's rarities series which seems fitting since I've only seen two copies in the last 20 years of collecting.)
- Kicked along by Jim Alexander's electric sitar, 'Time Out For Time In' showcased an interesting blend of jazz and psychedelic moves. That probably didn't sound like a great combination, but the hybrid was surprisingly inventive and attractive. Sure, the lyrics sound dated, but the melody was quite intriguing ... imagine The Association getting truly psychedelic and you'd have a vague feel for the song. rating: **** stars
- With Alexander contributing some tasty fuzz guitar, 'She Put a Hex On You' was a fantastic slice of blues-rock. Nah, you weren't about to mistake it for something out of the band's Van Morrison-era catalog. but the results were almost as good. rating: **** stars
- 'Bent Over You' found the band taking a credible stab at conventional hard rock. McDowell's voice proved surprisingly well suited to the genre; even if the overall performance sounded a little bit like a tougher version of 'American Woman'-era The Guess Who ... Not to sound like a broken record, but Alexander's screeching lead guitar made the song. Very nice. rating: **** stars
- Musically and lyrically the lysergic-tinged 'Waltz of the Flies' made for one of the album's more interesting songs ... yes, the song actually was a waltz. As for what the plotline was about ... beats me though my guess is it had something to do with increased awareness while tripping on illicit substances. Maybe McDowell was just interested in fly behavior ... rating: **** stars
- The psych and raga influenced 'Black Widow Spider' shifted the spotlight dead center to Alexander, who seemed intent on showing George Harrison wasn't the English guitarist who could master the sitar. While it may not have been the most original song you've ever heard, you had to admire Alexander's performance. I'm told sitar is extremely difficult to master and play, but Alexander managed to turn in one of the few true sitar solos I've ever heard on a rock song. rating: **** stars
- Side two started with what was probably the album's most conventional and commercial number; which probably explained why it was tapped as an instantly forgotten single. With a bouncy melody and uplifting lyric the song actually had considerable radio appeal which probably explained why it disappeared in a heartbeat. rating: **** stars
- Ah, time for a little bit of subtle social commentary ... well why not? If you wanted to be taken as a serious act you had to have something to complain about. That bit of cynicism aside, I have to admit I liked 'Market Place' quite a bit. Great little rocker and lyrically it was just as good as 'Taxman'.
- Opening up with sitar and tablas, 'Just One Conception' took awhile to get going ... well to be honest it really didn't get going until the end when Alexander's sitar solo kicked it. Basically an Indian inspired meditative drone, this one sounded like a third rate George Harrison outtake. Give lead singer McDowell credit for giving it his all ... The first real disappointment. rating: ** stars
- Powered by Alexander's squealing lead guitar, 'Young Woman' was as close as the band came to offering up a garage rocker. With an engaging ominous edge (if you had a young daughter you probably didn't want McDowell near her), this one was fantastic. rating: **** stars
- Opening up with some nice mandolins, 'The Moth' took a sudden and unexpected turn into heavily orchestrated psychedelia with some suitably acid-tinged lyrics

 

01 - Time Out For Time In [00:02:55]
02 - She Put A Hex On You [00:02:24]
03 - Bent Over You [00:03:17]
04 - Waltz Of The Flies [00:02:23]
05 - Black Widow Spider [00:04:33]
06 - We've All Agreed To Help [00:02:20]
07 - Market Place [00:03:01]
08 - Just On Conception [00:05:07]
09 - Young Woman [00:02:44]
10 - The Moth [00:03:23]
11 - But It's Alright [00:02:42]
12 - Square Room (2Nd Single Version) [00:03:19]
13 - Dirty Old Man (2Nd Single Version) [00:01:46]
14 - Corinna (Single Version) [00:02:39]
15 - Dark Are The Shadows (Single Version) [00:02:39]
16 - Dirty Old Man (Single Version) [00:01:57]
17 - Square Room (Single Version) [00:03:37]
18 - But It's Alright (Single Version) [00:02:43]
19 - Square Room (Single Edit-Remix) [00:03:21]

**Enjoy**