Lee Hazlewoodism: Its Cause & Cure (Spa) [LP]

Lee Hazlewood's second album for MGM had something of a split personality, though both sides were an accurate depiction of various sides of his musical mind. Released in 1967, Lee Hazlewoodism: It's Cause and Cure opens with five story-songs, most of which are dramatic narratives in which Hazlewood speaks rather than sings, approaching his recitations with all the seriousness he can muster, while Billy Strange's arrangements provide elaborate but understated accompaniment. Elsewhere, the album's second half finds Hazlewood in broader and more playful form. The album received a * rating on AllMusic, with reviewer Mark Deming stating that "The unifying theme of this album is simply Hazlewood being Hazlewood, with a crew of first-call studio pros helping him realize his vision (or sometimes his whims) as the Playboy Philosopher of the L.A. Cowboy Set. This LP reflects his wit and talents better than most."