human zoo

• Edition: US CD reissue sourced from the original master tapes
• Artwork: Faithful reproduction of the original album artwork

Originally known as The Circus, The Human Zoo came from Westminster in Southern California and recorded their sole album after attracting the attention of Jim Foster of The Human Expression. Their six-piece line-up featured two lead vocalists, two guitarists, keyboards and a strong rhythm section, allowing them to move easily between garage rock, psychedelia, soul and heavier blues-based material.

“It’s Got to Be” and “Help Me” combine memorable melodies with soulful vocals, while “I Don’t Care No More” introduces a darker psychedelic mood. The extended “Funny” develops into one of the album’s strongest guitar-led passages, and “Gonna Take Me a Ride” adds horns and a lively rhythm-and-blues influence.

The closing songs reveal the group’s heavier side. “Stone Sassy Fox” is built around forceful guitar and rhythm work, while the title track uses a persistent groove and effects-rich instrumentation to create a hypnotic finale. Originally pressed in very small quantities, the album later became a sought-after example of obscure West Coast psychedelic rock.

Track listing

1. It’s Got to Be – 2:58
2. Na-Na – 2:13
3. Help Me – 3:12
4. I Don’t Care No More – 2:37
5. Funny – 5:11
6. Late to My Resurrection – 3:08
7. When Papa Started Drinking – 2:29
8. Gonna Take Me a Ride – 3:32
9. Stone Sassy Fox – 3:17
10. The Human Zoo – 3:16
11. The Time Was Over – 2:39