Episode 647 is CAPTAIN BEYOND, a B-list supergroup from the mid-70s (with former Deep Purple, Iron Butterfly and Johnny Winter members). It’s a weird mix of heavy, prog rock, space and yacht rock, and thus a lesser-known archetype of the period. Their first of three albums has the heaviest sound, and thus the best.
Favorite album: Captain Beyond
Favorite song Mesmerization Eclipse
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: Probably only relevant for 1970s rock completists
(April 2024) Episode 558 is THE ANIMALS. I started to write about them as a second-tier British Invasion band but then realized that’s an American-centric view. In the UK they developed a fiery presence on UK R&B scene. But just as I wrote about how the Searchers music proved the magic of the Beatles within Merseybeat, the Animals demonstrate how superior the Rolling Stones were among the blues-based UK bands. The original Animals played with gusto, but they lacked song-writing chops; their main four hits on U.S. radio (“House of the Rising Sun,” “We Gotta Get Out Of This Place,” “It’s My Life,” and “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood”) were composed by others. They fell apart early, and in 1966 Eric Burdon formed another group with his name up front. To me this is the most interesting period, as the albums have a psychedelic and experimental approach, providing the minor hits “San Francisco Nights” and “Sky Pilot.” Bottom line, Burdon’s voice never appealed to me.
Favourite album: The Twain Shall Meet
Favourite song: House of the Rising Sun
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: A great hits LP is enough.
(October 2023) Episode 527 is BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. I was not into BÖC back in the day other than hearing their songs on FM radio. About a dozen years ago I tried out a couple albums but couldn’t understand their raison d’être and set them aside. But after seeing Blue Öyster Cult listed as an influence for several hard rock and heavy metal groups I’ve covered, I reviewed them for this project. I still don’t get it. Their music doesn’t easily fit in any category but also never develops its own identity. I suppose lacking an identity can be its own identity. I gave them my best shot but as a result I was bored.
Favorite album: Secret Treaties
Favorite song: Godzilla
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: Pass, but I’m open to arguments from fans in case I’m missing something.
(September 2023) Episode 522 is GRETA VAN FLEET. This was a disappointment. I tuned in because they have been compared to Led Zeppelin, which was both very apt and promising based their initial, enjoyable EPs. But the three LPs that followed mostly bored or annoyed me. I’m not sure whether they were trying to move beyond the comparison* or embrace the epic aspects of LZ by ditching the gritty bluesy sound, but it didn’t work for me. It comes off as prog rock which, combined with the singer’s (unfortunate) choice to stay in the high register, makes them sound more like Triumph than Zep.
Favorite album: From the Fires (double EP)
Favorite song: Safari Song
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: I’d stick to the EPs, but you should try the LPs in case something grabs you that didn’t for me.
* a blatant case of homage can be found in the drum intro on “Sacred the Thread” from the third album, ripped directly from “When the Levee Breaks.”
(August 2023) Episode 516 is STEPPENWOLF. Their fame is well-earned from two big hits, the anthemic “Born to be Wild” with its proto-metal riff and the psychedelic funk of “Magic Carpet Ride.” Steppenwolf’s late 60s albums of slightly acidic rock epitomize the sound of the Woodstock era, including some political messaging. Other than those hits, though, there is little to distinguish the music, other than John Kay’s gravelly baritone. They continued through some forgettable albums into the mid-70s.
Favorite album: The Second
Favorite song: Magic Carpet Ride
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: I own their greatest hits record but realize I haven’t put it on in decades, so I guess that tells me that the two hits are enough.
(February 2023) Episode 471 of the “opus project” is JAMES GANG. You know them as Joe Walsh’s first band and for their eternal classic rock radio hits “Funk #49” and “Walk Away.” The first three albums (1969-71) are a good helping of enjoyable funk rock. But then Walsh left and the rest is mostly forgettable boogie and soft rock.
Favorite album: James Gang Rides Again
Favorite song: Funk #49
Compared to expectations: same
Recommendation: a greatest hits package will do
Episode 448 is QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE, one of the bands from the San Francisco scene alongside the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Moby Grape. They had a couple minor radio hits but offer less than those bands. In fact, as I listen to more of the Greatest Era of Music (1965-69), I’ve soured on the San Francisco Sound. Too much noodling and despite the label it’s not actually psychedelic.
Favorite album: Quicksilver Messenger Service
Favorite song: Pride of Man
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: avoid, unless you’re interested in who was smoking grass with Airplane
(June 2022) Episode 417 is JEFF BECK. One of the three Gods of Guitar to emerge from the Yardbirds, he did not earn the same fame as Page or Clapton. This may be due to an idiosyncratic, haphazard output that veered in style from blues rock to jazz fusion, pop rock, rockabilly and modern rock, all of which provided platform for his guitar chops. His musical legacy, though, comes from the first two albums, with Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, which laid the foundation for heavy metal and blues rock, and gave us some classic rock staples. And of course from his much-admired innovations and talents on the six strings.
Favourite album: Truth
Favourite song: Beck’s Bolero
Compared to expectations: ↓
Recommendation: mostly for guitar-o-philes
(August 2021) Episode 346 is MOUNTAIN. You know them for “Mississippi Queen” and perhaps for their appearance at Woodstock. Mostly their legacy comes from their heavy and loud sound which influenced the development of heavy metal. The first two albums are excellent period pieces and all that you need.
Favorite album: Climbing!
Favorite song: Nantucket Sleighride
Compared to expectations: same
(July 2021) Episode 341 is JOAN JETT (and The Blackhearts). Your health demands an infusion of pure, unadulterated rock-n-roll from time to time, and Joan Jett provides that, with a tasty helping of snarl. But as with much straight-ahead rock, it can become tedious.
Favorite album: Bad Reputation
Favorite song: Bad Reputation
Best late-period album: Sinner
Best collaboration: Evil Stig (with The Gits)
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 