This is not your usual "demos" & "unreleased" package which usually
contains scraps or pieces of half finished songs and throw aways.
Norton has compiled a first rate release of great and "complete" songs
(yes a few radio promos too) which span the bands entire career. Yes,
some of the tracks have "lo-fi" sound issues, but still would be
considered very good to excellent by bootleg/Hot Wacks standards. Most
of the tracks here sound phenomenal, so don't let the "small time" label
release scare you away. The ultimate bonus here is the original demo
recordings for the "Bloodbrothers" album.
With the exception of the Flamin' Groovies tune "Slow Death", the entire "Bloodbrothers" album is present here!
Ross
the Boss & Top Ten flat out rip through the entire set; songs like
"Faster & Louder" and "Borneo Jimmy" have so much energy, they may
even be better than the "official" releases.
I can not stress enough
how pleased I am with this album (10 stars if I could). I have been a
fan of this band for over 30 years and I rank "Everyday Is Saturday"
right up there with every other album. With so little Dictators
material out there, ya' gotta snag this one before it goes MIA.
My strongest recommendation!
Rating? 10/10
For an introduction into Michael Schenker's early post-UFO career, this
release is an excellent and economical place to start. But, due to the
fact the live material is nothing special, buying the studio albums with
more numerous bonus tracks, original artwork and packaging may be a
better option for committed Schenker fans. If you can find the BGO
remasters or want to drop the extra cash on the Japanese pressings, they
are definitely the way to go.
One last thing. The packaging is
TERRIBLE! The cd case is specially designed to hold all 5 discs. It is
the old fashioned "fat" double jewel case with 2 additional fold out
trays; and it is poorly designed and extremely fragile (The UFO
"Chrysalis Years" is the same way). If the case is damaged, good luck
finding a replacement. My UFO case arrived with several cracks, but it
was still functional. I ordered the Schenker box from
Amazon. The item was just placed in an oversized box without any
packing material to protect it. The item was just banging around inside
an oversized box during shipping. Consequently, every disc had come
loose inside and the case was shattered in about 3-4 places. Be very
careful where you purchase this and attempt to request an extra layer of
protection from the shipper/place of purchase. Rock on!
As a long time Cultist, a fan who owns all the bands albums and box sets, including all the Instant Live Recordings from about a half a decade back (I know, you're happy for me), I feel I can speak with some authority as well as write a excellent run on sentence. COW is an obvious return to form when you compare it to the last "pink" release, I forgot the name, in which Billy Duffy was sonically MIA, Ian sounded winded, the songs were well below par for the band and most importantly it did not respect "The Rock".
Personally, I may hear more of a rebirth, reincarnation or regeneration having listened to COW about 5 times over now (and listening at a reasonably loud volume, through real speakers. The Cult are not an earbud, mp3 player band). The songs, their sound, the mix, the lyrics and the entire vibe of the album seems to incorporate everything the band has ever done...including the early Death Cult albums. COW for me, moves the band to an entirely new level...more mature & less pretentious while still being able to rock out and have something important to say. So, if you are a Cult fan, this album is pretty much a done deal (I got mine at Best Buy yesterday for $9.99 and it is the 2 disc version). I rate it 4th in the same tier as "Electric", "Love" and "Sonic Temple". Because I have a tendency to listen with my "Electric" tinted glasses, I rate COW at 4.5 stars instead of 5. If you are more of a "Love" person, then it may rate a 5. 'Nuff said on that point if you really know this band. For new fans, this is really an excellent place to start. "Place to start" is a phrase very few older rock bands can boast on their current releases. After spending a few weeks digesting this release, you can move back in time to the 3 albums mentioned previously.
And last of all with no disrespect to Jamie or Matt, this is the best rhythm section the band has ever had.
So either add to cart or head over to Best Buy before they close up for good!
****Car experience update - Having listened on my Bose computer speakers for the first half a dozen or so listens, I did not realize how "loud" this recording is. In loud I mean sonically challenged, similar to Metallica's "Death Magnetic". I have read the dynamic range on this recording is very low and some have used the term "brickwalled". I really needed to turn the volume down in my car considerably and found my ears a bit "pissed off" after about 20 minutes of listening. Again, no slam on the music, just the overall "listening experience". I am interested to read if anyone else has noticed this or has any thoughts.....rock on!**** Rating? 8.5/10
Just popped this in the car cd player last week and felt the need to share the Lemmy!
My Review:
Lemmy must have been into heavy doses of the Ramones while recording this album, because his love for the band is quite evident throughout "Motorizer". In fact there is a fast paced, "punk" rock vibe to many of the songs here in the "Goin' To Brazil" & "R.A.M.O.N.E.S" vein. "Rock Out" does exactly what it promises and then some. Mickey Dee's drumming propels the album from start to finish without pause (no slowed down ballads here). Dee is arguably the best drummer in rock/metal and he proves it here. And friggin' Phil, the man never ceases to amaze me; his playing just keeps getting better. Phil takes his own chops, blends in a wee-wee bit of Chuck Berry, a heavy dose of Thin Lizzy era Brian Robertson (Phil's wah wah pedal tone is killer on this album) and consequently churns out guitar solos and fills that are short, sweet and very wicked. Then you have Lemmy.....'nuff said. I am a longtime fan dating back to the vinyl days. I would hesitate to put "Motorizer" up there with classics like "Overkill" and "Ace Of Spades", but it is darn close.
A great place to start for a newcomer to the band and a definite "add to cart" for current Motorhead fans. Rating? 9/10
In honor of one of the best unknown bands in America, my first post will be a re-post (from my other place) of the new American Dog album "Poison Smile". Check these guys out if they visit your town; and support them and buy their stuff! They rock! Here's where you need to go....American Dog Website.
First of all, this review is based on the sound of the actual cd. A cd
album which is fraggin' unbelievable. I am listening to "Old Dog" right
now and how American Dog managed to channel ZZ Top, Brownsville
Station, Uncle Ted and Rocks era Aerosmith with their own beer drenched
twist is beyond me! This really, really rocks....foot stompin' rocks.
If you prefer Budweiser and burgers over microbrew beers and
sushi....this one is for you!!
The overall sonic quality and
production is really great too. I hear a lot of Martin Birch type
production from those classic albums by Deep Purple and Iron Maiden;
and, other "old school" albums like Powerage by AC/DC and, like I
mentioned previously, Jack Douglas/Rocks era Aerosmith. The guitars
form a wall right in your face and you can separate each one of them.
The drums are centered perfectly just behind the wall of guitars. The
drummer seems to have a simple, grooving John Bonham type approach that
fits in well. Hannon's vocals blend in the mix seamlessly....no to low,
not too high, just right in there with the guitars.
The bass seem
more subtle and deeper...lower frequency than previous albums. Yet when
you single it out it is right there in your face like a Joe Frazier
left hook.
All the instruments and vocals seem to be separated and mix perfectly
with none overpowering the other.
And
then the songs! I love the Motorhead type guitar solo breaks! A lot
more bluesy based solos and riffs. The entire album seems to have more
of a bar room boogie swagger which I assume anything involving a bar
suits this band just fine!
And last but not least.....after
listening to the new Cult album "Choice Of Weapon" in all its
brickwalled sonic glory for the last week, an album that is just way,
way too loud with no Dynamic Range, this album just sounds good.
70's-80's era rock n' roll with 2012 production...if that makes sense.
Great job!! Rating? 8/10
Well, after being at this blog stuff for a week or so, I felt the need to distance my reviews and opinions on music and the occasional book from my everyday midnight rambling. So here it is, "Dr. Woj - The Reviews"! Respect the rock and rock on!
