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Atomic Rooster - Friday The 13th CD (album) cover

FRIDAY THE 13TH

Atomic Rooster

 

Heavy Prog

2.91 | 4 ratings

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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
3 stars The single from the debut quaintly titled 1970 album "Atomic Roo-oster" was Friday The 13th that signified what to expect from Atomic Rooster; dark lyrics and aggressive psychedelia. Vincent Crane fairly hammers his Hammond with bludgeoning blasts of raucous rage. Nick Graham on bass and vocals is aggressive and the lyrics speak for themselves, "wake up in the night, stare into the dark, you can feel your fear, tearing at your heart, trying to lock your door, there is no escape, I'll be watching you, every move you make." The song builds to a very strong riff and then the plea that all Atomic Rooster addicts know, "someone please, please save me, no one will save you, they won't try....everyone's lonely when they die." Then Graham screams out the mantra that haunts you once heard "no one in the world will want you, save me!"

So the lyrics were screaming out to find salvation but salvation from what? The bleak content tells us there is no hope in this dark world, "trying to shout for help, your words turn to dust, looking for a friend, no one you can trust..." This is the thematic content that would permeate the band on albums such as "Death Walks Behind You" and "In Hearing Of".

The driving shimmering staccato Hammond of Crane is wondrous, but a special mention must go to the sporadic time signature assault of Carl Palmer, and you know this is before he joined THAT band so the band are worthwhile pursuing for ELP fans.

The B Side is 'Banstead' which is a balladic melancholy, soft forgettable throwaway; perfect for a B side.

Grab the debut album if these songs appeal to you. It's rare to see the vinyl single of this these days, especially the enigmatic picture cover, so if you see it, get it!

AtomicCrimsonRush | 3/5 |

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