Here is a lost classic for sure. Years ago, I discovered that the super sweet baroque pop of The Critters on Rhino’s “Nuggets” compilation. The song, “Mr. Dieingly Sad” was written by group member Don Ciccone and featured a beautiful melody and some great harmony vocals and unlike most of the garage sounding items from other Nugget bands, this basically makes The Association sound like MC5. The Critters hailed from Westwood, New Jersey, and in 1966 they had their first hit (for the Kapp label) with a cover of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Younger Girl’. They hit again with ‘Mr. Dieingly Sad’ the next year, and following the departure of vocalist/songwriter Don Ciccone, they recorded a final album and vanished. Ciccone went on to perform with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, playing a key role (on guitar and vocals) in their 1970’s comeback.
3 thoughts to “The Critters "Mr. Dieingly Sad"”
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One of my top 5 favorites of all time. This one, “Sandy” by Ronny and The Daytonas, “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” by The Walker Brothers, “September In The Rain” by Chad and Jeremy, and “I’d Like To Get To Know You” by Spanky And Our Gang take me back like no other songs! Thanks for the memories!
Just yesterday another of their awesome songs came up on my iPod shuffle “Don’t Let The Rain Fall Down On Me”. Comparisons to Brian Wilson are easy and justified and make this, in my opinion, one of their GREATEST recordings.