The Editorial Review is GARBAGE
I would try this: Actually listen to this wonderful music, instead of reading the trite and negative review by the "Amazon Editor."

Listen to the beautiful melodies. Listen to the heartfelt lyrics (so much a part of the sixties), Listen to a newer and different take on rock: A violin! A man AND a woman! Tight, rehearsed, music. Gorgeous, well played melodies!

Basically, the "Amazon Editor," is a toneless JERK who has no appreciation for music. He probably prefers tuneless rap-crap.

This group IS the San Francisco sound, fully as much as the Dead, The Jefferson Airplane, and Santana.

Cliche??? Hardly!
Pay no attention to the editorial review, which was apparently written by a country music fan who thinks that any song which isn't about drinking and cheating is a cliche.

IABD was one of the quintessential bands of the Summer of Love, and mutually influenced other bands of the period who enjoyed greater fame, such as Jefferson Airplane (AKA "Jefferson Starship", AKA "Starship"), Cream, Deep Purple, and the Grateful Dead. Far from being a cliche, IABD helped to chart bold new pathways in rock music that were later worn smooth by the feet of the cliche-makers.

I must say, though, that for all the rave reviews and commercial success of songs like "White Bird" and "Hot Summer Day", my favorite cut from this album is "Girl With No Eyes"; an oft-overlooked gem that has haunted my memory for the past 40 years. Its sparse-yet-somehow-rich arrangement, its haunting lyrics and vocal melodies, and David LaFlamme's disturbingly emotional violin work make this, in my opinion, the standout recording of IABD's discography.

As an instant fan of any band whose sound exhibits great versatility, on this standard alone I would recommend IABD to anyone interested in cult classics of the 1960s, and this particular album as their best.

--- Gos

Still beautiful for those whose hearts can soar
Here's one of the lesser-known but absolutely essential albums of the 1960s, one that captures the innocence & optimism that touched the lives of so many during that sadly brief time. What jaded reviewers dismiss as empty & shallow was something very real & vibrant then -- and we could use more of it today, when times are so grim & bitter, and the human spirit has been crushed in all too many individuals. As the song says, "White bird must fly / Or she will die."

From the quintessential opening track, to the sprawling three-part suite of Side 2 (for those who remember LPs), this is a strong collection of songs imbued with the sense of endless possibilities abroad then. Naive? Yes, to some degree. But as another American original once put it so well, "Hope is the thing with feathers / That perches in the soul." And that's what this album is, really ... a paean to & celebration of hope, and the ability to love.

Yes, "love" ... that much-abused & all too easily scorned word. I'll admit that if you're not open to the vulnerability that this music requires, you'll find it ridiculous & hopelessly old-fashioned. And that's a pity. Because W. H. Auden wasn't being sentimental when he wrote, "We must love one another or die." He was being eminently practical. This wonderful album is a reminder of that fact. Love, wonder, beauty -- these aren't luxuries, but necessities of life -- a whole life.

So put this on to play, and remember that there's more to life than simply existing & surviving. At least, there should be. Highly recommended!

A very good artifact of '60s psychedelia
Although they didn't achieve the success of other late-60's psychedelic bands like the Jefferson Airplane and the Grateful Dead, It's A Beautiful Day released a couple very good albums near the end of the decade. Much like Jethro Tull had distinguished themselves from other bands during this time with Ian Anderson's flute, It's A Beautiful Day did this with their excellent violinist David LaFlamme. His long solo is truly the highlight of their biggest hit single, "White Bird." The songs "A Hot Summer Day" and "Wasted Union Blues" could have fit in on the best Jefferson Airplane albums as the first two is a breezy pop tune ala Surrealistic Pillow while the latter's noisier arrangements recall Volunteers. "Bombay Calling" is another great track highlighted by its memorable rhythm line and LaFlamme's violin. The remaining songs tend to drag as "Bulgaria" doesn't work until the violin comes in at the end and "Time Is", is a long jam that certainly has its moments. All told, there is much to love on It's A Beautiful Day if you're into the late '60s psychedelic sound. If you want to save some bucks, it's much cheaper to download each track from here or EMusic than it is to buy the $23 cd.

It's a Beautiful Day for real
It was great to hear this album once again,espically digital. It has brought back many old memories. The sound is terrific. I have played it a lot at home and recently went to a reunion party for a bunch of old hippies ,like myself, and everyone loved it. Thanks for making it so wasy to locate my old favorites!!