Following the 1970 album "The Last Puff" Luther Grosvenor left the
band to reemerge as Ariel Bender in Mott The Hoople and Mike Kellie
went on to The Only Ones. After some touring with various
replacements they reached a line-up where Grosvenor was replaced by
session musician Mick Jones and Kellie by Bryson Graham (earlier in
Mainhouse), which completed the setting that recorded this album.
Going through reviews I see it's often downgraded, music sometimes
described as dull and unimaginative while the lyrics are criticized
for being too simple. Maybe that's true in some way, but when
listening to heavy blues rock I don't expect nobel prize winning
poetry or groundbreaking polyphonic novelties. I just want a good
groove and if, like here, shuttled by top guitars and pleasant
vocals I'm in. Style bear resemblance to Free or Bad Company, just a bit
more intense. Most of the songs have a blend of hard and soft that's
very appealing with emotional vocals to raw guitar riffs and flowing
organ. So I get a well performed
album with both heavy groove and lots of feeling...and in my world
that's certainly a-ok. Favorite tracks - "Cotton Growing Man", "This
Time Around" and "Wildfire". Originally released on vinyl all over
Europe, in Canada and US (A&M SP-4385), Downunder, Japan and a
couple of Southamerican countries, also 8-track and cassette. Japan
2017 limited ed. CD in paper sleeve (Island UICY-78071) came with one
bonus track. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a glossy fold/out
cover with lyric sheet and blue Island co. inner. (FSÄ*)
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