The Shocking Blue, The Shocking Blue (side A)

1970's The Shocking Blue is a US only LP that assembles tracks off of the band's second and third Dutch albums.  As a result, it contains the two best-known Shocking Blue songs—"Love Buzz", which Nirvana later covered, was on 1969's At Home, while "Venus", which Bananarama transformed into a synth-pop hit, appeared on their 1970 self-titled LP.  These two covers seem incredibly incongruous, but the album sits nicely in the middle.  Punchy drums and heavy guitars that often follow the vocal melodies are juxtaposed against (uncredited) pretty keyboards and of course Mariska Veres's majestic voice.  Veres's striking face is also featured prominently on the cover of this album.  This US pressing sounds a bit murky—I've never heard the Dutch originals to know if they sound clearer.