At the time for the debute LP on Island the group already had a live cult following after touring England and Europe for some time. The setting behind this recording was very much a creation of producer Guy Stevens. As "The Doc Thomas Group" they had earlier recorded an album for Italian Dischi label and also performed as "The Shakedown Sound" and "Silence". Stevens brought in Ian Hunter and renamed them. He also wanted a sound like Bob Dylan singing with the Rolling Stones and that's what they tried to create here. No fans were lost because of this album, but it wasn't a big success - #65 in UK and #185 in US. To my taste it's not even close to "Mad Shadows" or "Braincapers". It has some good rock'n'roll, but Hunter sounds too much like Dylan, almost like an impersonator and the material is less strong than on the follow-ups. Hunter and others has pointed out that Rolling Stones -71 hit "Bitch" bares a lot of resemblance to "Rock And Roll Queen" on this album. It sure has about the same riff and probably Stones was inspired, but not enough for a lawsuit. First issued copies of the album erroneously had '45 B-side "Road To Birmingham" instead of A-side "Rock And Roll Queen", but that was corrected for later issues. Early UK pressings came with label as shown here and matt f/o cover. Initially released in Germany on Island (849 304) and 1970 in US by Atlantic (SD 8258). Also remastered on CD with two bonus tracks (Angel Air SJPCD157). (ÖSÄP*)(MÖHÖ*) (GÖJ*)
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