Genre: rock
Rating: 3 stars ***
Title: Slow Motion
Company: United Artists
Catalog: UA-LA345-G
Year: 1975
Country/State: Swamsea, Wales
Grade (cover/record): VG / VG
Comments: original inner sleeve
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 5204
Price: $10.00
Co-produced by the band and Anton Mathews, 1975's "Slow Motion" has always been one of those Man albums I'm wishy washy about. The good news was the departure of keyboardist Malcolm Morley also seemed to have left the band with a tighter and leaner sound. The band also didn't seem to be trying as hard as on earlier releases. Whatever the explanation, this time around their unique hybrid of West Coast rock and UK pub rock actually clicked on tracks like 'Hard Way To Die' (which sounded like something by Terry Thomas and Charlie) and 'Day and Night'. Those positive factors were offset by the fact roughly half of the songs were completely forgettable. Tracks like ''One More Change, 'Rock and Roll You Out' and 'Rainbow Eyes' were little more than throwaways. Ironically, in spite of the classic Mad magazine inspired Rick Griffin sleeve the album sported some of the year's most depressing and downbeat lyrics - 'Grasshopper' and 'You Don't Like Us'. Elsewhere, side two's 'Bedtime Bone' opened with a weird slice of fusion-rock. Weird, but fascinating. The change in direction certainly didn't appeal to all of their fans, but it was enough to get the quartet to finally embark on a US tour, though it did little for sales.
"Slow
Motion" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Hard Way To Die (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 5:37
2.) Grasshopper (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard)- 5:11
3.) Rock and Roll You Out (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 4:32
4.) You Don't Like Us (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 4:35
(side
2)
1.) Bedtime Bone (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey
Jones - Deke Leonard) - 5:54
2.) One More Chance (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 4:46
3.) Rainbow Eyes (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 6:07
4.) Day and Night (Terry Williams - Ken Whaley - Mickey Jones - Deke Leonard) - 4:02