Post by poopypants on Aug 25, 2007 11:56:57 GMT -5
Well, here we are, in 2007 with a brand spankin' new studio album from Blue Cheer. Who'da thunk it? This is the first studio album made towards an American audience in over 20 years. I must have listened to this album at least 2 times a day (With some tracks getting multiple plays) and, well.....
First off, I must say, the sound quality is excellent. They even employ different drum sounds, which is a plus. Too many of today's albums have *YAWN* the same drum sound throughout, making some of the songs indistinguishable. Not here. Duck employs several tones from his guitar, both rhyhmically and lead-wise. Very nice. Matter of fact, I think Duck's sound is more integrated into the bands sound than his previous studio outing with the band, and this is a good thing. Dickie's voice, while sounding a bit strained at times, is still edgy, with the sound of a man who has traveled many, many hard roads, and this adds to the rough edge to the band's sound. His bass isn't as up-front as I would have liked, but then, Blue Cheer has many elements.
The songs? They run the gamut from slow, emotion-drenched stuff like "Young Lions In Paradise" and "No Relief" to all out blues-based rockers such as "Malajusted Child" and "Rollin' Dem bones". The mood is not constant here, which makes for a varying album, and this is a huge plus in my book. It makes every track a nugget in it's own regard.
The drumming throughout is excellent, and very much tight with Duck. As a drummer myself, I tend to focus in on the sound and tones of the drums, as well as the player. Blue Cheer has had many able-bodied drummers in their ranks over the years (Norman Mayell, Terry Rae, Michael Fleck, Brent Harknett, Billy Carmisi, Dave Salce, Gary Holland, Joey Hasselvander), but original drummer Paul Whaley essentially set the tone and what we expect from a Blue Cheer drummer, and with the possible exception of Brent, Joey Hasselvander comes closest to capturing the vibe and style of that sound and style. His tracks on this album are first-rate, and if Paul was not able to make it with BC, then Joey would be my personal pick for a drummer. But, Paul Whaley? What can you say? He still plays as if his life depended on it, and locks in very nicely with Duck, particularly on the track "Malajusted Child".
Duck really comes into his own with this album, and is, at this point, an indsipensable part of BC. I like his playing and tones much, much more than on "Highlights And Lowlives". He achieves a fuller sound, and is more blues-based and generally veers from a "metallic" sound. Plus, much like Tony Rainier before him, he has helped to steer the band back on course, by managing the band, producing the CD and co-writing many of the songs. Plus, his singing on "Born Under A Bad Sign" adds a whole new dimension to the band. More singing from Duck I say!
Dickies voice is reminiscent of his work on his solo album "Child Of The Darkness" and sounds a little strained at times, but again, it's amazing the guy has survived, so this is not a detriment but an asset, as his voice adds to the road-weary, fought-many-battles-but-still-survives vibe that is BC today.
Overall, I think this album is a terrific addition to any BC collection. It's more varied than any BC album since "New! Improved!" To me, it's a great companion piece to Dickie's "Child Of The Darkness" album (Which, IMHO, was a BC album in disguise, and more of a BC album in sound and spirit than the last 2 Phillips albums.) With this new album, it also gives this version of Blue Cheer stronger legs. They now have 2 solid studio albums and one great live album ("Live In Japan") under their belts. They can play stuff from the first 2 albums (Which Duck does some of on the live CD), stuff from their 2 studio albums and even stuff from "The Beast Is Back", as the live album has several of those on it, with of course Duck on guitar. (I find that "Blitzkrieg In Nuremburg" to be my least listened to BC albums-Great track selection, but weird sound and vibes). Having said this, it doesn't spend time in my player simply because it's a BC album (If that was the case, so would "Blitzkrieg", but as I said...); It spends time in my player because it's a great BC album, and grows on me with each and every listen. I would highly recommend this album, to any fans of BC in particular and any fans of blues-based hard rock in general. This album sounds more vital and alive than most new bands today.
Also, to me, it seems that their logo on the CD itself is very reminiscent of R. Crumb's work. Although it wasn't done intentionally, it seems a bit of a nod towards their S.F. roots. Nice touch! As far as the missing tracks....I don't worry about that too much. As was previously metioned by someone else, albums today rend to go on too long, so 10 tracks is just fine. Besides, it means that they simply MUST go back into the studio and add a few more tracks so we can have another new album!
"What Doesn't Kill You..."? Well, what are you waiting for? GO AND BUY!!!!
Poopypants
First off, I must say, the sound quality is excellent. They even employ different drum sounds, which is a plus. Too many of today's albums have *YAWN* the same drum sound throughout, making some of the songs indistinguishable. Not here. Duck employs several tones from his guitar, both rhyhmically and lead-wise. Very nice. Matter of fact, I think Duck's sound is more integrated into the bands sound than his previous studio outing with the band, and this is a good thing. Dickie's voice, while sounding a bit strained at times, is still edgy, with the sound of a man who has traveled many, many hard roads, and this adds to the rough edge to the band's sound. His bass isn't as up-front as I would have liked, but then, Blue Cheer has many elements.
The songs? They run the gamut from slow, emotion-drenched stuff like "Young Lions In Paradise" and "No Relief" to all out blues-based rockers such as "Malajusted Child" and "Rollin' Dem bones". The mood is not constant here, which makes for a varying album, and this is a huge plus in my book. It makes every track a nugget in it's own regard.
The drumming throughout is excellent, and very much tight with Duck. As a drummer myself, I tend to focus in on the sound and tones of the drums, as well as the player. Blue Cheer has had many able-bodied drummers in their ranks over the years (Norman Mayell, Terry Rae, Michael Fleck, Brent Harknett, Billy Carmisi, Dave Salce, Gary Holland, Joey Hasselvander), but original drummer Paul Whaley essentially set the tone and what we expect from a Blue Cheer drummer, and with the possible exception of Brent, Joey Hasselvander comes closest to capturing the vibe and style of that sound and style. His tracks on this album are first-rate, and if Paul was not able to make it with BC, then Joey would be my personal pick for a drummer. But, Paul Whaley? What can you say? He still plays as if his life depended on it, and locks in very nicely with Duck, particularly on the track "Malajusted Child".
Duck really comes into his own with this album, and is, at this point, an indsipensable part of BC. I like his playing and tones much, much more than on "Highlights And Lowlives". He achieves a fuller sound, and is more blues-based and generally veers from a "metallic" sound. Plus, much like Tony Rainier before him, he has helped to steer the band back on course, by managing the band, producing the CD and co-writing many of the songs. Plus, his singing on "Born Under A Bad Sign" adds a whole new dimension to the band. More singing from Duck I say!
Dickies voice is reminiscent of his work on his solo album "Child Of The Darkness" and sounds a little strained at times, but again, it's amazing the guy has survived, so this is not a detriment but an asset, as his voice adds to the road-weary, fought-many-battles-but-still-survives vibe that is BC today.
Overall, I think this album is a terrific addition to any BC collection. It's more varied than any BC album since "New! Improved!" To me, it's a great companion piece to Dickie's "Child Of The Darkness" album (Which, IMHO, was a BC album in disguise, and more of a BC album in sound and spirit than the last 2 Phillips albums.) With this new album, it also gives this version of Blue Cheer stronger legs. They now have 2 solid studio albums and one great live album ("Live In Japan") under their belts. They can play stuff from the first 2 albums (Which Duck does some of on the live CD), stuff from their 2 studio albums and even stuff from "The Beast Is Back", as the live album has several of those on it, with of course Duck on guitar. (I find that "Blitzkrieg In Nuremburg" to be my least listened to BC albums-Great track selection, but weird sound and vibes). Having said this, it doesn't spend time in my player simply because it's a BC album (If that was the case, so would "Blitzkrieg", but as I said...); It spends time in my player because it's a great BC album, and grows on me with each and every listen. I would highly recommend this album, to any fans of BC in particular and any fans of blues-based hard rock in general. This album sounds more vital and alive than most new bands today.
Also, to me, it seems that their logo on the CD itself is very reminiscent of R. Crumb's work. Although it wasn't done intentionally, it seems a bit of a nod towards their S.F. roots. Nice touch! As far as the missing tracks....I don't worry about that too much. As was previously metioned by someone else, albums today rend to go on too long, so 10 tracks is just fine. Besides, it means that they simply MUST go back into the studio and add a few more tracks so we can have another new album!
"What Doesn't Kill You..."? Well, what are you waiting for? GO AND BUY!!!!
Poopypants
Otherwise, Chris did a super job engineering it - particularly notable is the depth of Paul's drum sound. Hopefully this will provide them with a solid foundation to step up to the next level with more and better gigs, more income, and more recognition.