The band's fifth studio effort, or maybe more truthfully - the fifth album under the name "Chicken Shack", as guitarist Stan Webb was the only constant member during a couple of turbulent years in the seventies. On this LP playing with drummer Paul Hancox (earlier with The Mindbenders) and bassist John Glascock (1951-79), who earlier had played with The Gods and Toe Fat and later would be a member of both Carmen and Jethro Tull. It was the only album from this trio. Has very little in common with the music from the band's first three albums. Instead I get a hard blues rock album, with emphasis on HARD. Tons of raw, contorted guitars and head-on vocals to wild backing. As heavy as it could get from any power trio. And you get no softening studio work on this press, it's all right in your face. Highly recommended to all who want rock'n'roll to be so mean it hurts. Got many favorites here. The cover of Tim Hardin's "If I Were A Carpenter" has to be the most brutal version ever recorded. "Poor Boy" has guitars that may scratch both your skin and ears and "Crying Won't help You Now" hits like a steamroller on speed. So nothing for the faint-harted here, but for those who enjoy being manhandled by music it might be something. Early vinyl issues in US and Canada (Deram DES 18063), Downunder, Japan and a couple of European countries. EU 2012 CD on Esoteric Recordings (ECLEC 2333) came with two 45 edits as bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here in a matt fold/out cover with "blue box" inner. (DÄRR*)
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