You Can Be Anyone This Time Around

You Can Be Anyone This Time Around is an album by Timothy Leary, released in 1970. The album is notable for its experimental nature and its involvement with prominent figures in the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s. It combines spoken word, music, and sound collages, serving as an auditory representation of Leary's philosophies regarding psychedelia, consciousness expansion, and personal freedom.

Background

Timothy Leary was a psychologist and writer known for his advocacy of psychedelic drugs. He believed that substances such as LSD could be used to alter consciousness in beneficial ways, including therapy and personal growth. By the time "You Can Be Anyone This Time Around" was recorded, Leary had become a prominent figure in the counterculture, often clashing with legal authorities over his promotion of psychedelics.

Content

The album is a mix of Leary's spoken word performances, set to an eclectic mix of music ranging from rock to funk, interspersed with various sound effects and audio collages. The content reflects Leary's interests in psychedelic experience, Eastern philosophy, and the potential for humans to transcend their current conditions through the use of psychedelics and other means.

Reception

Upon its release, "You Can Be Anyone This Time Around" was met with mixed reactions. Supporters of Leary's work praised the album for its innovative approach to combining music and spoken word, as well as its bold exploration of consciousness expansion. Critics, however, often dismissed it as self-indulgent or incomprehensible. Despite this, the album has gained a cult following over the years, appreciated for its historical significance and its role in the psychedelic movement.

Legacy

The album remains an interesting artifact of its time, reflecting the radical ideas and experimental spirit of the late 1960s and early 1970s counterculture. It also serves as a testament to Timothy Leary's enduring influence on the fields of psychology, drug policy, and cultural movements advocating for personal and societal transformation.