With recurring lyrical themes about war, time, religion, love lost, regret, and moving on, Argus has often been touted as an early concept album. Likewise, its medieval imagery and continually shifting musical dynamics has had many a critic label it as a “progressive/art rock” album. In truth, these songs are only loosely related, and this British band actually has more in common with American Southern rock bands like the Allman Brothers and The Outlaws than the likes of Yes or King Crimson.

As such, above all else this is an album for guitar lovers, as almost every song here features an extended guitar solo (consider that a warning to any of you punk rock loving, anti-guitar solo listeners). The twin guitar leads of Andy Powell and Ted Turner would influence later bands like Thin Lizzy, and Wishbone Ash’s classy mingling of English folk with melodic hard rock should appeal to fans of both types of music.

Granted, the singing is only so-so and at an average song length of almost seven minutes the band can’t always maintain their momentum. In fact, it took several listens for me to warm up to the album, but the rewards have been well worth it. This is because, for all of their red hot guitar heroics, the band hasn’t neglected their songwriting duties.

The album begins with a pretty acoustic guitar melody, but before long “Time Was” changes gears and becomes an almost completely different song that’s highlighted by the first of many memorable guitar duels. “Sometime World” is even better; it too starts off sad and pretty before taking flight with arguably the album’s strongest guitar solo. “Blowin’ Free” is easily the album’s most commercial song, with a poppy sing along chorus and smoking slide guitar, while “The King Will Come” is carried by its hard rocking, militant beat and some more (you guessed it) great guitar. Next, “Leaf and Stream” is a moody folk ballad that presents a nice change of pace, setting the stage for the album’s rousing finale. “Warrior” is another song that elegantly mixes together mellow and hard rocking moments, and it has the album’s most memorable (if somewhat cheesy) chorus to boot. Finally, the majestic ballad “Throw Down The Sword” ends the album on a high by virtue of its faultless melody and soaring, beautifully harmonized guitars.

Fortunately, further treats are in store for all air guitar aficionados, as Live In Memphis, which was recorded at a radio station studio and released as a promo EP in 1972, has been appended to Argus. Seemingly bashed out live on the spot, these far less mystical songs are little more than straightforward jam sessions. However, whatever these songs lack in songwriting is more than made up by the band’s abundant chops and impressive chemistry. Particularly exciting is “Phoenix,” an intense 17 minute epic that ends all too soon and caps off the uniquely enjoyable, oft-overlooked Argus in fine style.

send me an email

Back To Artist Index Home Page