Member:
Constable Hogweed
(Profile)
(All Album Reviews by Constable Hogweed)
Date:
9/9/2003
Format:
CD (Album)
A brilliant band who never really got the credit they deserved. On this album the band displayed almost a Black Sabbath doom-ness married to some great prog moments. The title track starts off with spooky piano from the late great Vincent Crane before catching you with a great guitar riff from John Cann.
The mood is one of menace with its Sabbathesque riffing. In complete contrast "Vug" is a delightful Hammond driven proggy instrumental with the plaudits going to Vincent Crane along with some tasty licks from John Cann. Interestingly, Vincent Crane says that the vocals to this errmm, instrumental were deliberately held right back in the final mix...which is a teaser to what they actually were.
The single "Tomorrow night" shows a more commercial side to the band with its piano playing and vocal hooks. It reached number 11 in the British charts which is no mean feat when you consider that Deep Purple and Black Sabbath were lurking around the singles charts at the same time. Next up is 7 Streets which builds from the churchy organ sound into a powerful and well presented rock song.
The greatest of all Rooster tracks appears at the beginning of side 2 (on my vinyl version anyway) "Sleeping for years" is simply a great rock song with some dynamic lead guitar work and a great vocal melody that screams out CLASSIC. The rest of the album diversifies much like side one with some driving rock and thoughtful passages.
The ending track is an instrumental where the Rooster again show an eclectic proggy style with its wonderful mish mash of sounds and atmospheres. Mr Crane again takes a bow with a weird and wonderful Hammond solo which brings to mind Jon Lord and Keith Emerson while all the while leaving his own individual stamp. If you like your prog on the heavier side but still want to hear the traditional side of prog shining through.....this is the album for you.
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