BENEFIT

The last of the classic folk rock tinged albums that started with This Was, Benefit shows the band progressing towards a more refined and progressive sound, further leaving behind the bluesy tunes in exchange for harder more instrumentally focused work.

Same lineup as "Stand Up", Benefit is quite similar to that album in the way songs were written, and the same type of subjects they focused on. Yet another Jeffrey Hammond Hammond song! Unfortunately this would be the last album featuring the stylistic hippe bassist Glenn Cornick, who will be replaced by Ians old friend and namesake of three previous songs, Jeffry Hammond Hammond.

Benefit has a few of those early gems that are just completely essential, the best here are "Teacher", "With You There To Help Me" and my personal favourite "To Cry You a Song". The arrangements are effective yet simple, the perfect formula. Anderson's lyrical ability is also clearly progressing but far from it's peak which is two years away.

Great classic album, it won't disapoint.