Viewing entries in
'70s

Alice Cooper – Muscle Of Love (Album Review On Vinyl & Apple Music)

Comment

Alice Cooper – Muscle Of Love (Album Review On Vinyl & Apple Music)

Despite being an album focused on juvenile sexual innuendos, Muscle Of Love is one of the greatest Alice Cooper band albums ever recorded and in a way, it’s a shame that it was the last to include the original band lineup. While Bob Ezrin was noticeably absent in the Producer's chair, Jack Douglas and Jack Richardson did a wonderful job of guiding the album, while allowing creative artistry to flourish.

Yes, many of the songs on Muscle Of Love have never been part of Cooper's live set, at least for many years, but I've often found that with Alice Cooper, the best albums, songs, and performances are not necessarily the compilation filling or concert played fan favourites. Therefore, I implore you to give Muscle Of Love, as an album, a shot. I have a feeling you won't regret it.

I know I haven't regretted picking up the Friday Music vinyl re-issue from 2013. While the reissue isn't a perfect replica, sonically it is beautiful with a full analogue sound that will impress even the most hardened critic. It is said to have been mastered from the original Warner Bros. tapes by Joe Reagoso and after listening to it countless times, I have no reason to doubt Friday Music's claims. It really is that good!

The Apple Music stream is, similarly, beautiful with a mastering that is similar to the vinyl record. If there is a difference to report, it would be that the Apple Music stream sounds a little concealed by direct comparison to the vinyl release. That said, regardless of how you choose to enjoy this classic, you’re most likely going to love it. 

SIDE I

Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) not only has a great groove, but that psychedelic undertone is superb. I dare you to sit still, without moving a muscle, during this song, I can't do it. The guitar tracking is divine and the inclusion of the violins perfectly suits the song. Plus, that outro = extraordinary!

Never Been Sold Before is your meat and potatoes rock and roll track. I love it! Just as the addition of strings to Big Apple Dreamin' (Hippo) enhanced that song, the horn element in Never Been Sold Before is fantastic and has a similar effect. If I had one complaint, it would be that I'd like to hear a 1 to 2 decibel increase in the bass guitar.

Hard Hearted Alice is a song that slowly builds with a beautiful atmospheric introduction. This is one song where the quadraphonic mix would likely be astonishing, but the vinyl and Apple Music counterparts are no slouch with a soundstage that removes the speakers, creating a spacious sound that has to be heard to be believed.

Crazy Little Child is a fun song. I adore the piano element and I love the overall New Orleans Jazz feel. I'd love to see Cooper do an entire jazz album, even one full of standards would do. He certainly has the vocal chops for it.

SIDE II

Working Up A Sweat continues the lighthearted approach to the overall theme of the album. It's a solid song, but not one to write home about as I find Cooper’s vocals are distant in the mix, although, the music has an addictive and thoroughly enjoyable rhythm.

Muscle Of Love is a killer tune. Both the guitar intro and drum tempo are superb and I find myself playing the air guitar and drums when listening to this song. Exceptional!

Man With The Golden Gun was originally written and recorded for the associated James Bond film but was sadly never used. When you listen to the song, armed with that knowledge, you can immediately hear the James Bond undertones and one can only wonder how the Man With The Golden Gun’s introduction would have differed with this song. Nevertheless, it’s a solid addition to Muscle Of Love and I'm glad it was released and not shelved as it is quite enjoyable, even if it’s not the strongest song on the album.

Teenage Lament '74 has remained somewhat of a fan favourite and while I thoroughly enjoy the song, I feel bemused as to its popularity. I guess it just proves that I should never be asked by an artist, or record label, which songs should be released as a single or be played live.

Woman Machine is an interesting song to close the album on. Yes, it encourages me to listen to the album again and stay within Alice Cooper's extensive catalogue, but I find Woman Machine to be a little repetitive and the outro is a little too much, in my opinion, although I can see the approach the band were going for.

Overall, Muscle Of Love is exceptional and is truly one of the best Alice Cooper band albums ever recorded. 

Comment

Santana - Abraxas (Album Review)

Santana - Abraxas (Album Review)

Rock meets Latin grooves in an atmospheric masterpiece that sounds as fresh today as it was back in 1970; a rare feat by any standard. 

Santana’s Abraxas was not only a music wonder, but that cover art is striking. Yet, for some reason, I don’t have a vinyl copy or even a CD version, subsequently relying on the smaller streaming offering. I’ll certainly have to look at picking up a copy in the near future, but there is so much music that I love, that I should also own, that I’d be broke and homeless if I purchased every album that appealed to me. Nevertheless, Abraxas is special. While it can be catalogued and placed into convenient musical styles, I dare say that Abraxas is almost a genre on its own for even today there isn’t often as much musical diversity on a single album as there is on this release. 

While the musical prowess of Santana (the band and the man) is beyond reproach, one may assume that the Apple Music stream, an Apple Digital Master, would result in a lacklustre presentation. While it’s true that I haven’t been fortunate enough to listen to the MOFI (Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab) reissue, or an original vinyl pressing, I can assure you that the Apple Digital Master is magnificent and I would place it up against any edition of this album as it simply sounds right. That, of course, doesn’t mean that I don’t want to pick up one of the aforementioned releases, or even a surround sound edition, but it’s an acknowledgement that mastering really does matter and in this case, it doesn’t matter that the stream is being delivered in a compressed lossy format. 

Singing Winds, Crying Beasts is a gorgeous opening, the wind chimes get me every time, as does the roaring guitar element. Plus, that rhythmic bass and percussive elements are immersive, offering a full-body experience, especially if you turn the volume up a little. There is no denying just how good Singing Winds, Crying Beasts is and it sets the tone for the entire album; exceptional!

Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen is one truly remarkable song and while the Black Magic Woman component is a cover of the Fleetwood Mac original, a masterful recording in its own right, Santana takes the raw rock elements, infuses them with Latin grooves and additional blues elements, that sets in motion a recording that would become one of the very best covers to have ever been recorded. Plus, Gregg Rolie’s vocal delivery on this edition is absolutely perfect; no wonder it became a chart-topper. While Gypsy Queen isn’t always represented when Black Magic Woman is played, I feel that its inclusion amplifies the core song and therefore I feel it is a natural extension of Black Magic Woman. 

Oye Como Va is a fun tune that gets my body moving involuntarily. What’s not to like? 

Incident At Neshabur is a little offbeat, in comparison to the previous tracks, but this isn’t a song you’ll likely be wanting to toe-tap to, but be present with for it demands the listener’s attention. That said, I wouldn’t class Incident At Neshabur as one of my favourite Santana tunes, but it is far from bad. 

Se A Cabo reminds me of Miles Davis. You might think that that is a strange comparison, but some of Davis’ greatest work was in his fusion of styles and Se A Cabo is very similar in that regard as each listen reveals a new layer of musicality that makes you not only question the song but your relationship to it and music in general.

Mother’s Daughter has a killer opening and is an incredible song, although I do feel that Rolie’s vocal is either a little too forward or the musical aspects are a little too shallow in the mix. It just sounds as though there should, or could, be more. 

Samba Pa Ti is simply gorgeous. I could listen to this masterpiece on repeat indefinitely. 

Hope You’re Feeling Better gets better the more you play it. It becomes infectious and ultimately becomes one of the most enjoyable songs on Abraxas. 

El Nicoya is a solid closer, but I do wish the final track was Hope You’re Feeling Better as I feel El Nicoya is more an interlude than a song in its own right. 

Overall, Abraxas is deserving of the reverence it’s given for it is a masterpiece from start to finish. I’d even go as far as saying that Santana never topped Abraxas; a bold statement, yes, but Abraxas reached heights that only a few musicians and bands ever reach. 

AC/DC – '74 Jailbreak (EP Review On Vinyl, Apple Music, and TIDAL Hi-Fi)

Comment

AC/DC – '74 Jailbreak (EP Review On Vinyl, Apple Music, and TIDAL Hi-Fi)

Few EP releases are as strong as AC/DC's '74 Jailbreak. In many respects, one could call this release a mini-greatest hits had it not been for the fact that the included songs were largely unavailable to music lovers outside of Australia. Released in 1984, US audiences were able, for the first time, to conveniently hear five exceptional tracks that were never released in their region during the 70s. While it is difficult to comprehend a fan's joy upon first hearing this release, one only has to spin the record and turn the volume up to hear just how polished AC/DC was in those early years. It is an experience that must be heard to be believed. 

Without a B-side to be found, '74 Jailbreak is one of the greatest AC/DC releases and should be in every fan's collection. Yes, the EP is short but that isn't necessarily a bad thing, especially if you opt to listen via CD or streaming services. From my experience, the Apple Digital Master, available via Apple Music, is the gold standard when it comes to streaming and while TIDAL Hi-Fi delivers the CD-quality counterpart, from the same mastering sessions, the TIDAL Hi-Fi version isn’t any better than the edition presented on Apple Music and subsequently, in this case, I prefer the Apple Music edition as it takes up less storage when using offline play as well as being more accomodating for those of us with restrictive cellular data allowances. That said, you can rest assured that regardless of how you choose to stream ’74 Jailbreak, you’ll be hearing the very best sound that streaming has to offer.

When at home, however, I’m fortunate enough to own the 2003 vinyl reissue and to say it’s spectacular is an understatement. Vinyl rarely sounds better than this, although I don't feel that way about all the AC/DC reissues from 2003 as the inner-groove distortion on the Back In Black reissue is infuriating. Nevertheless, '74 Jailbreak has an incredible soundstage with a perfect mix that ensures the bass and drum beats remain prominent, but never overpowering. Similarly, Bon Scott's vocals have never sounded better and each percussive element is crystal clear. If you’re a vinyl fan, this is one record you should add to your wish list, and your collection, as I know you won’t be disappointed. 

Side One 

Jailbreak may not be the first song fans gravitate towards but it’s an exceptional song that has been featured in AC/DC’s live performances for decades; even if it does appear a little self-indulgent when performed live. This studio recording, however, is the perfect opener for ’74 Jailbreak as it sets the tone for what is to come and never disappoints. 

You Ain't Got A Hold On Me has an incredible rhythm, although, I’ve always thought that Scott's vocal sounds a little too thin and forward in the mix. Interestingly, you may notice when listening to Brian Johnson-era recordings, by comparison, his vocals were always mixed in a more central position in relation to the music, whereas Scott's tend to stand out in the mix. It is a minor difference, but a noticeable anomaly.

Show Business is blues-rock 101. I love it!

Side Two

Soul Stripper is a layered and complex wonderland that presents listeners with a massive soundstage. The entrance, albeit lengthy, never gets dull and Scott's vocal entry and presence in the song is nothing short of perfection.

Baby, Please Don't Go is an incredible cover that I’ve always enjoyed. Is it the best version, however? Well, that is, of course, subjective but I can only reiterate that the Aerosmith rendition is just as good and that if you want the purist recording of this song, you should check out Big Joe Williams' 1935 recording. Nevertheless, Baby, Please Don’t Go is the perfect way to close the EP, extraordinary!

From start to finish, '74 Jailbreak is an exceptional collection of blues-based rock and roll songs that are timeless and will remain part of the social consciousness for generations to come.

Comment

Blue Öyster Cult – Self-Titled (Album Review)

Comment

Blue Öyster Cult – Self-Titled (Album Review)

Released in 1972, Blue Öyster Cult’s eponymous debut failed to garner initial interest from the music-loving public upon release, but as with many albums that are now considered classics we look back and wonder just how such an exceptional psychedelic hard rock album could have been so overlooked, especially with that stunning ‘otherworldly’ cover art.

Bill Gawlik, billed as simply Gawlik, created the cover art that captivates me as much as the music does for there are so many possible interpretations to be read into the spherical design. I’m fortunate enough to own the Music On Vinyl (MOVLP1546) reissue and the cover’s matte finish is stunning and adds to the tactile nature of the record. The vinyl itself is housed in a high-quality anti-static sleeve, thereby preventing dust from accumulating in the grooves. It is nice to see this small additional detail as so many re-issues are presented in substandard inner sleeves in an attempt to save on costs while charging a premium price. Nevertheless, Music On Vinyl outdid themselves with this release. The record is pressed and mastered perfectly with next to no surface noise and an expansive soundstage that really comes alive throughout the entire album but specifically when listening to She’s As Beautiful As A Foot and Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll as these are songs that, if not mastered with kid gloves, can sound muddy and unappealing.

While this review is primarily based on the vinyl re-issue, many music lovers would understandably prefer the convenience of streaming and subsequently, an Apple Digital Master is available on Apple Music. How does it sound? In a word: Exceptional! As much as I adore my vinyl collection, I have to be completely honest and state that I am increasingly impressed with the  transparency of the Apple Digital Masters to the original masters that are delivered from the record label. In this situation, the mastering sounds identical to the vinyl re-issue, minus the usual warm analogue sound signature of vinyl of course. That, believe it or not, is a good thing for it is frustrating when different masterings exist of a single album. I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I just want the original mastering that was intended for a specific album. 

Side One

Transmaniacon MC launches us into the album perfectly, setting the tone, while simultaneously giving the music lover a rhythm to immediately connect with. Transmaniacon MC isn’t the strongest song on the album, but I can’t think of a better opening for a psychedelic hard rock release. 

I’m On The Lamb But I Ain’t No Sheep flows near seamlessly from Transmaniacon MC and is a solid song, albeit nothing to write home about. 

Then Came The Last Days Of May is a sonic wonderland and one of the greatest songs of the 70s in my opinion. 

Stairway To The Stars is a stellar rock song. 

Before The Kiss, A Redcap has some killer guitar riffs, a brilliant rhythm, and an exceptional vocal recording that perfectly suits the song. Before The Kiss, A Redcap is all-round perfection. 

Side Two

Screams is psychedelic gold. 

She’s As Beautiful As A Foot flows seamlessly from Screams with an absolutely stunning drum element by Albert Bouchard. The overall musical style on She’s As Beautiful As A Foot is simply magical. One of the greatest songs on the album and another highlight of the 70s.

Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll has a killer drum and bass introduction that I simply adore and the incredible rhythm and overall performance simply blows my mind every time this masterpiece comes on. A perfect recording!…and, yes, you can hear a correlation between Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll and Black Sabbath’s The Wizard; a song and band which ultimately inspired Blue Öyster Cult.

Workshop Of The Telescopes flows well in the album format but it’s ultimately a song that I wouldn’t seek out on its own for it isn’t quite as strong as many of the other tunes on the album.

Redeemed is a perfect way to close the album, with a slightly more mellow tone, that encourages me to listen to this brilliant eponymous debut again. 

Overall, Blue Öyster Cult’s eponymous debut is a monster of an album and a must-own for all psychedelic hard rock music lovers. There isn’t a bad song to be heard and it doesn’t matter if you’re going for the Music On Vinyl release, or simply streaming this debut, you’re getting an exceptional musical experience that has to be heard to be believed.  

Comment