So, a
seminal album where its reputation seems to precede much knowledge of it; other
than the two singles, I'd maybe heard the entire album twice. Still, given the
reputation, I was looking forward to plunging headlong into Blues-y
psychedelia.
The band
came about from the demise of several others, with the best elements of each
(the Cream of the Crop) coming together to form what has been considered the
first supergroup. The album, the band's second, reached number 5 in the UK, and
was their breakthrough in the US, peaking at number 4. Still widely revered, it
has appeared on many greatest album ever lists, and is in the Grammy Hall of
Fame. The album title came from a roadie mispronouncing the word derailleur, in
relation to the gears on a bike.
Strange
Brew has that squelchy, squirmy feel that is unmistakeably psychedelia.
Clapton's guitar dances over the top of Jack Bruce's driving bassline, to
create a complex yet catchy song. Sunshine of Your Love is a classic - a riff
that everyone knows without knowing that they know it. It's not just the riff
though; the delightful distortion on the guitar makes it sound like something
recently hewn of a volcano, and Ginger Baker's use of cymbals adds a delicacy
to this juggernaut of a song. World of Pain slows things right down, with an
introspective take on depression, that I find a little bit cloying. Dance the
Night Away is a slightly identikit version of all the other songs, frankly,
adding little of difference to proceedings. Blue Condition sounds like a Kinks
song, even down to the vocals, but is slightly annoying with it, like a nursery
rhyme through a broken speaker. Tales of Brave Ulysses is wonderfully
structured, with Baker's drumming at its explosive best, and the guitar line
obscenely sultry. It's not quite Achille's Last Stand good, but as a tale of
heroic valour it certainly captures the imagination. SWALBR is not great, with
the lyrics sounding like they are referring to a car. We're Going Wrong is more
interesting, with the impression being given of a slow unravelling of a mind.
The guitar line beautifully shadows the haunting vocal delivery, and whilst I
may not have enjoyed the song that much, I found it captivating. Outside Woman
Blues is a fairly raw Blues track, with a nice guitar riff, but not much else
to celebrate. Take it Back uses the harmonica wonderfully, with a swagger to
the overall sound that catches your attention, but doesn't do enough with it.
Mother's lament is bizarre drinking song that is out of place on the album; it
may have seemed like a good idea at the time, but it just gives the impression
of a band taking the piss.
Overall,
this album just didn't have enough about it to warrant the hype, to my ears.
Some great riffs and cracking drumming does not an astounding album make. It
somehow manages to sound both same-y and lacking in cohesion, and whilst the
quality of the individual parts is not in question, the sum of these appears
far less to me. It probably sounds much better when off your face, but that is
a level of commitment I was not willing to provide to give this album a second
crack of the whip.
Chloe's
album rating: 6
Chloe's
favourite track: 2. Sunshine of Your Love
Olly's
album rating: 6
Olly's
favourite track: 6. Tales of Brave Ulysses
Next week
is 94. Safe as Milk by Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band.
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