Last time I did a Rapid Fire post, I picked three big albums from the 90s all belonging to different popular genres of the decade. THIS time, I've picked three albums not only from the same decade but also belonging to the same genre; Hard Rock.
Whilst all three albums aren't necessarily iconic hits from the 70s, I chose these three because (in my opinion) they stand out in the band's careers. I could've picked various classic Hard Rock albums from this decade but I don't think I'd have as much to write about them. Anyway, I'll leave you to decide whether I picked the right albums!
1. Tyranny And Mutation - Blue Oyster Cult
If asked to name a Blue Oyster Cult song, most people will go for easy choices like "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" or "Burnin' For You". Some might go for less obvious choices such as "Godzilla" or "Astronomy" but it's incredibly doubtful anyone will pick any tracks from this album. It was their second album released and even though it spawned many deep cuts that would become fan favourites, none of the tracks would become iconic Classic Rock or Hard Rock hits. It's a shame too as this album has some right crackers!
Album opener "The Red & The Black" kicks things off to a feisty start, showing the band hadn't spent all their energy on writing a solid debut. It's a perfect track for anyone who's into guitar-driven Rock, thanks to the fretwork of Buck Dharma (my favourite guitarist), and fortunately the rest of the album follows suit. Tyranny And Mutation contains a variety of different Rock subgenres but at its core, it is a Hard Rock album done right. Whilst it may not contain any instantly catchy songs or riffs that the band would become known for in later years, it's high quality material from start to finish.
Whether it's the band's take on Blues Rock ("O.D.'d On Life Itself"), Heavy Metal ("Hot Rails To Hell") or even borderline Psychedelic Rock ("Wings Wetted Down"), each track fundamentally "rocks". There's also a good amount of Classic and Hard Rock, such as "Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)" and my personal favourite track on the album "7 Screaming Diz-Busters". All in all, though, it's a must-listen for any fans of Riff-Based-Rock and 70s Hard Rock.
1. The Red & The Black
2. O.D.'d On Life Itself
3. Hot Rails To Hell
4. 7 Screaming Diz-Busters
5. Baby Ice Dog
6. Wings Wetted Down
7. Teen Archer
8. Mistress Of The Salmon Salt (Quicklime Girl)
ALBUM RATING - 8/10
2. Rush - Rush
The debut and self-titled album from a band arguably more associated with Progressive Rock and the 80s. Again, most fans will likely list tracks off Moving Pictures, Permanent Waves or 2112 when it comes to picking great Rush songs. Some might choose "Working Man", easily the most well known Rush track off the album, but when I first listened to this all the way through I was surprised to hear so many great Hard Rock tracks. That could explain why it tends to get ignored, as it's pretty far away from what most people would consider to be classic Rush.
Not only is it the only album with original drummer, John Rutsey, but most of the songs are about general themes such as love and friendship ("Need Some Love" and "Take A Friend") as opposed to the blend of philosophy and Sci-Fi the band would adopt thanks to Neil Peart. The lack of significant Prog Rock elements and the increase in Blues Rock factors almost make it sound like a lost Led Zeppelin album, something many Rock fans would kill for.
It's not the best Rush album but it definitely doesn't deserve to be forgotten about, which is its current fate. Seek this album out if you like 70s Rock, particularly early 70s Hard Rock. Whilst I'm at it, you might want to listen to the first half of Caress Of Steel too. I know it's often regarded as Rush's worst album but it only really gets dull when it gets to the 11 minute tracks. As for Rush (album)? It starts and ends strong, which is more than I can say for Moving Pictures.
1. Finding My Way
2. Need Some Love
3. Take A Friend
4. Here Again
5. What You're Doing
6. In The Mood
7. Before And After
8. Working Man
ALBUM RATING - 7/10
3. Machine Head - Deep Purple
The only album on this list which is generally regarded as the band's "best" or at least a standout effort. It's probably my favourite Deep Purple album out of the ones I've listened to and it's definitely got a solid collection of great Hard Rock tracks starting off with the absolute belter of an album opener "Highway Star". It's not just one of Deep Purple's greatest songs but it's quite possibly one of the greatest Hard Rock tracks in the history of the genre, boasting awesome work from each band member from Ian Gillan's roaring vocals to Richie Blackmore's Classical-inspired guitar solo.
The rest of the album never quite reaches that same high, in my opinion, but that's not to say it fails to impress. By this point in the band's career, they'd established themselves firmly in the Hard Rock category after a Psychedelic Rock start and if you like your Hard Rock with epic riffs and organs, there's bound to be at least a couple of other tracks up your alley here. Chances are those tracks are the other two well known songs off the album, "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On The Water", the band's signature song with quite possibly Rock's most iconic riff (even if the rest of it is largely uneventful).
For me, this album could've done with another track containing the same amount of power and pure Rock as the album opener, as the closest Machine Head comes to that again is seven minute Blues number "Lazy" and even that's pushing it. They probably chose "Highway Star" to kick things off with a bang but neglected to think about whether they were prematurely blowing their load. If you haven't heard any of the previously mentioned tracks, I'd recommend listening to this album. Otherwise, you're unlikely to get much out it.
The rest of the album never quite reaches that same high, in my opinion, but that's not to say it fails to impress. By this point in the band's career, they'd established themselves firmly in the Hard Rock category after a Psychedelic Rock start and if you like your Hard Rock with epic riffs and organs, there's bound to be at least a couple of other tracks up your alley here. Chances are those tracks are the other two well known songs off the album, "Space Truckin'" and "Smoke On The Water", the band's signature song with quite possibly Rock's most iconic riff (even if the rest of it is largely uneventful).
For me, this album could've done with another track containing the same amount of power and pure Rock as the album opener, as the closest Machine Head comes to that again is seven minute Blues number "Lazy" and even that's pushing it. They probably chose "Highway Star" to kick things off with a bang but neglected to think about whether they were prematurely blowing their load. If you haven't heard any of the previously mentioned tracks, I'd recommend listening to this album. Otherwise, you're unlikely to get much out it.
1. Highway Star
2. Maybe I'm A Leo
3. Pictures Of Home
4. Never Before
5. Smoke On The Water
6. Lazy
7. Space Truckin'
8. When A Blind Man Cries
ALBUM RATING - 6/10
If there are any albums you'd like me to discuss or if you have any suggestions for decades, genres and/or bands to cover on the next Rapid Fire post, let me know in the comment section or via Twitter.
I'll be posting again this week (probably not another Rapid Fire post though) so keep your eyes peeled for more from me!
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