CHRYSALIS Definition 1968 ORIG FUZZ FOLK PSYCH LP HEAR

$

46

WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS…

CHRYSALIS "Definition"

Original 1968 LP on the MGM label, STEREO SE-4547

Cover:  VG+, some ringwear, small cutout hole, all seams intact

Vinyl: Light handling scuffs, very clean, plays EXCELLENT

So this is what happens when you give an entomologist a recording contract?  If you were always wondering why the band members on Chrysalis’ 1968 LP Definition are staring at a tree branch, there’s your explanation.  They’re bug collectors.  Really.  And they’re into insects like your high school valedictorian was into Star Trek: Voyager – big time.  There’s lyrics about lacewings and gardens and earwigs and the gestation period of a Rhinoceros Beetle, and the songwriter’s name is “Spider” Barbour (who also appeared, by the way, on Lumpy Gravy and We’re Only In It For the Money a year earlier).  As a matter of fact, Frank Zappa called Definition his favorite pop record, for what that’s worth.  And Kim Fowley gave Spider his first break.  With friends like that, no wonder the dude studied bugs.

Despite the penchant for Lepidoptera, Definition is actually a pretty nifty folk psych record.  Like the insect kingdom, it’s a bit all over the map, but hey, if you want consistency, pick up a Steppenwolf album.  There’s everything from light acoustic folk pop (“Cynthia Gerome”) to all-out fuzz-drenched psychedelia (“Father’s Getting Old”) to vintage ragtime (“30 Poplar,” about a beatnik hangout at Ohio University) to some smooth jazz pop moves that sound like Steely Dan might’ve been taking notes.  Someone online even suggested that Frank Zappa might’ve copped a melody from “Cynthia Gerome” for his “Sleep Dirt.”  He was certainly familiar with the album, that’s for sure.  Hey, in the music industry, it’s moth-eat-moth, baby.

File along with W.A.S.P., Iron Butterfly, Praying Mantis and the Spiders From Mars.  Bug rock, with a kick.  You either larva or hate it.

 HEAR IT!

The less exciting stuff

Media mail shipping with delivery confirmation starts at $4.00 in the US, with each additional record only $1 additional shipping.  ALL DOMESTIC ORDERS REQUIRE DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, WHICH IS AN EXTRA 75 CENTS.  Air mail shipping to Canada starts at $10 US, each additional record $2 shipping.  Air mail shipping everywhere else in the world starts at $16 US, with each additional record only $3 shipping.  ALL FOREIGN ORDERS REQUIRE CERTIFICATE OF SHIPMENT, WHICH IS AN EXTRA $1.10.  I accept payments through Paypal. 

I try to grade as best as I can, and I list as many blemishes/imperfections I can find (writing, ringwear, scuff marks, etc.) – Also, please note that I DO listen to these albums – I may not listen to every track, but my grades are based on LISTENING, not just looking at it, since chances are you’ll be listening to the record you buy, not just looking at it.  Most of the albums I sell are the ones I’ve enjoyed for years – and I treat my records with kid gloves.  But sounds speak louder than words, so check out the sound clips below – they’re from the actual record you’re bidding on. 

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Listen, I buy a bunch of records too (when I’m not getting outbid at the last second, which is more often than not) – and I know what it’s like to get a rare, one-of-a-kind album packaged dangerously in a flimsy bubblewrap package.  I hate that too.  So rest assured, I ALWAYS package albums with stiff cardboard reinforcements, same for 45s.  And yes, the records are removed from the sleeves (for albums).  I ship out once a week, every Friday, because I have a regular day job.  But I’d be willing to give that up if you’d all be so kind as to bid my items up to stupidly high amounts. 

And finally, I include delivery confirmation on all shipments inside the US.  This is my proof of shipment, and also helps us to track your package if it doesn’t arrive when it should.  I will email you within 2 days of shipment and give you the confirmation number at that time.  Insurance is always optional, but for larger orders, it’s highly recommended.   I DO NOW REQUIRE THAT ALL FOREIGN BUYERS PAY AN ADDITIONAL $1.10 FOR PROOF OF SHIPMENT.  IT'S A NOMINAL FEE AND THE CHEAPEST WAY FOR ME TO PROVE THAT I ACTUALLY SHIPPED YOUR PACKAGE AND DIDN'T JUST POCKET YOUR MONEY AND SKIP TOWN.  For more security and international tracking, you may request GLOBAL PRIORITY MAIL - but bear in mind the cost of this service is upwards of $30.  For expensive items, however, it may be well worth it.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a cost-effective way of tracking parcels to foreign countries yet, and shipping times vary depending on your country’s postal system.   Italy in particular seems to be really bad at delivering packages quickly, or delivering packages at all, now that you mention it.  I will always email you when your package ships, but once it’s on its way, please don’t ask me when it will arrive because I don’t know.  If the world’s postal systems can ever agree on a universal tracking system that’s affordable, I’ll be the first to use it.

NOW IT’S YOUR TURN…

I will always leave positive feedback for successful transactions, and would appreciate the same in return.  All I ask of you is the following – please pay for your items within 14 days of the close of auction.  Compared to other sellers, that’s a generous amount of time, so if you don’t pay within 2 weeks, then I have to assume something’s wrong.  You’ll get an Ebay payment reminder at that point, and possibly a decapitated horse head in your bed.  If, after 30 days, you still haven’t forked up the cash, I’ll relist the item and yell at you if I ever see you in town.