Technically Sopwith Camel‘s “Hello Hello” was released in January ’67, but it was written and recorded in ’66 so it’s fair to lump it in with the other two.
There’s something in this trio that feels shared, settled, planted. Not to mention low-key, contented, self-charmed. Obviously not ambitious or anxious; they don’t dig down or reach for anything deep or searing or crash-bang.
Keith’s one-hit wonder is a smooth, schmaltzy thing, and therefore a good contrast with the cool “whoo-whoo” contentment of “Mellow Yellow”. Okay, “Hello Hello” is a little dopey-sounding but I love the lead (only) vocal and the bridge.
What was it about ’66 that fed into this mood? I used to have a thing about being lightly stoned and not seriously ripped. That’s what these songs are about.