Genre: progressive
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: In Hearing of Atomic Rooster
Company: Elektra
Catalog: EKS 74108
Year: 1971
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: gatefold sleeve
Available: 2
GEMM catalog ID: 5245
Price: $15.00
The first time I heard this LP it made little or no impression on me. Imagine my surprise when I randomly pulled it out of the shelves and discovered that my initial impressions were completely wrong.
Self-produced, 1971's "In Hearing of Atomic Rooster" was released in the wake of another round of personnel changes; this time drummer Rick Parnell replaced by Paul Hammond (ex-Andromeda and ex-Farm), and former Big Bertha and Leafhound front man Pete French brought on to handle lead vocals. Bands in turmoil normally don't turn out quality product, though desperation sometimes works to their advantage. The latter seemed to be the case in this instance - the revised Atomic Rooster turning out what may have been their most impressive album. Exemplified by tracks like 'Breakthrough' and 'Break the Ice' the album found the band offering a much heavier guitar and keyboard propelled sound. Progressive touches remained in the mix, but the overall sound was far more conventional and rock oriented than found on the first two LPs. Doubt that comment? Check out the side one closer 'Devil's Answer' which was released as a UK single and actually went top-5 ('Devil's Answer' b/w 'The Answer' (B+C catalog number CB 157). Though their voices were quite similar (without the liner notes I'd be hard pressed to distinguish the two), French and Crane both proved first-rate singers. Other highlight included the pretty keyboard propelled ballad 'Decision / Indecision' and the bluesy 'Black Snake'. In fact with the exception of the throwaway instrumental '' the whole LP was worth hearing. That was quite a complement given the set clocked in at over 40 minutes. (Always loved Roger Dean's inner sleeve drawing.)
"In
Hearing of Atomic Rooster" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Breakthrough (Vincent Crane - Darmell) - 6:17
2.) Break the Ice (John Cann) - 5:05
3.) Decision / Indecision (Vincent Crane - Darmell) - 3:51
4.) A Spoonful of Bromide Helps the Pulse Rate Go Down (instrumental) (John Cann) - 4:34
5.) Devil's Answer (John Cann) - 3:28
(side
2)
1.) Black Snake (Vincent Crane - Darmell) - 5:58
2.) Head In the Sky (John Cann) - 5:35
3.) The Rock (instrumental) (Vincent Crane) - 4:31
4.) The Price (Vincent Crane - Darmell) - 5:15
Naturally commercial success brought another round of personnel changes with Cann, French and Hammond all quitting within the next year. Rick Parnell rejoined the band as Hammond's replacement, while former Wide Open guitarist Steve Bolton took over Cann's role. Cann and Hammond reappeared in Bullet. French reappeared as a member of Cactus.
While trolling YouTube I found performances of 'Black Snake' and 'Breakthrough'. In the interests of accuracy the versions of these songs were from a 1973 performance featuring a different lineup than the group that recorded the original tracks. Vincent Crane was the only holdover at that point in time with the rest of the line up consisting of guitarist Steve Bolton, drummer Ric Parnell and singer Chris Farlowe. Nevertheless, they're pretty impressive efforts. The 'Black Snake' performance is worth watching, if only to see Farlowe munching on a sandwich during the instrumental sections. He also bore an uncanny vocal resemblance to Arthur Brown.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVf7SG1-DGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtBI1_yJNHg