Butterfly is the seventh UK studio album by British band the Hollies, released in November 1967. It was the final Hollies album to feature Graham Nash before his departure from the group in 1968. The album consisted solely of songs written by the trio of Nash, Allan Clarke, and Tony Hicks, with Nash leading the sessions.[8] It showcased the band's pop-oriented approach to psychedelia.[9]
In the US and Canada, Epic Records released an alternate version of the album as Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse (also November 1967), featuring a different track selection/order and alternate artwork. The 1967 single "King Midas in Reverse" was not included on the UK version of the album, but was added to the North American version.
As with Evolution (1967), none of the songs on the UK album were selected for single or EP release in the UK. The mono single and stereo CD versions of "Try It" differ greatly in terms of sound effects and vocals. Cash Box said of "Dear Eloise" that it has "pounding orchestrations and a tremendous vocal sound added to the exotic beginning-finish."[10]
In 1978, Parlophone reissued Butterfly with new cover art, and again in 1999.[4] Almost all current CD issues of this album contain the original cover art.
All tracks are written by Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, and Graham Nash
La versión norteamericana de Butterfly fue retitulada Dear Eloise / King Midas in Reverse , recibió una portada diferente a todo color con una imagen del grupo y fue lanzada por Epic Records el 27 de noviembre de 1967. Tanto la versión estadounidense como la canadiense incluyeron el sencillo " King Midas in Reverse " y la pista de UK Evolution "Leave Me", mientras que se eliminan las canciones de UK Butterfly "Pegasus", "Try It" y "Elevated Observations".
En Estados Unidos, "Dear Eloise" se publicó como cara A única, mientras que "Try It" y "Elevated Observations?" se publicaron como caras B de los sencillos " Jennifer Eccles " y "Do the Best You Can", respectivamente. En Canadá, el sencillo "Dear Eloise" alcanzó el puesto 36.
Billboard elogió los sencillos titulares y añadió que "los otros nueve cortes no decepcionan", resumiendo el álbum como una "gran cantidad de buen material, bien manejado". [11]
La reedición en CD estadounidense de 1998 de Dear Eloise/King Midas in Reverse de Sundazed presenta la programación original de Butterfly del Reino Unido con "King Midas in Reverse", "Leave Me" y "Do The Best You Can" agregados a la lista de canciones.
Todas las pistas están escritas por Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks y Graham Nash.