TEAR GAS SLRZ 1021 (-71) UK

Progressive rock group from Glasgow. Their first LP "Piggy Go Getter" on UK Famous label https://monolover.blogspot.com/2014/10/tear-gaspiggy-go-getter-pas-5029-70-us.html didn't sell at all. This one was no success either and they disbanded shortly after. 1972 three of the members teamed up with Alex Harvey and became "The Sensational Alex Harvey Band", a setting wich remained for over five years. This is probably one of the heaviest hard rock albums ever made. It didn't wallop back then, but has been re-discovered by modern affectionados and raised to an almost legendary status. I get that, but it don't catch me 100%. It has stunning guitars, layer on layer with a brutality that almost rips your skin off, and the backing is more than appropriate. Still the songwriting is average, the vocals ordinary and nothing really sticks. A glorious first impact but not much more. And it's obvious they got most of the inspiration from a true classic. Not only by the choice of covers - "All Shook Up", "Jailhouse Rock" - but also many of the guitar licks and the whole atmosphere resembles Jeff Beck Group's Beck-Ola/Cosa Nostra album. Audio and production differs, but it's exactly the same idiom. I'm not saying they're copy cats, it's probably a homage and that's a good thing I guess. First issues also in Germany (Harvest 1C 062-92549) and France (Regal Zonophone 2C 062-92549). US CD 2007 (Second Harvest 425). Premiere UK with label as shown here, some in thin matt cover and some laminated flip/back. (RÄZ*)