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RETURN OF DRAKKAR

Titanic

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Titanic Return Of Drakkar album cover
2.95 | 13 ratings | 3 reviews | 8% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 1978

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Blue Train 3:48
2. Flashback 4:17
3. Round n' Round 3:45
4. Sparkly Brown 4:26
5. Let it Ride 3:21
6. Jacknife 3:30
7. Mr Hyde 4:28
8. Haunted House 3:44
9. My Gate to Hell 2:48
10. Cascade 6:11

Total Time 40:18

Line-up / Musicians

Roy Robinson - lead vocals
John Lorck - drums
Kjell Asperud - percussions
Janny Loseth - guitar
Claude Chamboissier - keyboards
St. Clair Brunet - bass and backing vocals

Releases information

BARCLAY RECORDS - 900542

Thanks to zowieziggy for the addition
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TITANIC Return Of Drakkar ratings distribution


2.95
(13 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of rock music(8%)
8%
Excellent addition to any rock music collection(0%)
0%
Good, but non-essential (62%)
62%
Collectors/fans only (23%)
23%
Poor. Only for completionists (8%)
8%

TITANIC Return Of Drakkar reviews


Showing all collaborators reviews and last reviews preview | Show all reviews/ratings

Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by ZowieZiggy
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars After their pitiful " Ballad Of A Rock'n'Roll Loser", the band couldn't do any worse I guess?

This album at least features some keyboards which were absent from the bluesy / country "Loser". This return of drakkar, is not a true return to their roots but at least the band offers some good rock music (the opener "Blue Train" is such a track).

Some attempt to revive the old spirit with "Flashback" which is very much "Santana" oriented: lots of percussion and fine guitar (it was released as a single). Even if this song can't compete with "Sultana" (but this was an exceptional song), it is enjoyable to listen to decent music again from "Titanic".

I would lie probably, if I told you that the reggae " Round n' Round" is an extraordinary number. But I prefer such an average song to the ones that were available on the weak "Ballad?". Some pop/rock feel with "Sparkly Down" could have been an attempt for a hit but was never released as a single.

"Titanic" reverts to the funky feel with the last track from side one of the original LP (as far as I know, this one was never released in a CD format). On the heavy edge though, this tracks ends up nicely into a heavy-rock song ("Let it Ride").

The flip side opened on another funky tune ("Jacknife ", a single B-side) which doesn't have the same fine feel as the previous track. This album, although holding no jewel is quite bearable to be honest. The rocking "Mr. Hyde" does no harm and the rock ballad "Haunted House" (another B-side) is decent as well. The powerful vocals from Roy Robinson can be fully appreciated here, just as during the good " My Gate to Hell" which demonstrates that the band had still a strong tendency to write some heavy stuff.

My favourite song from this album is also the longest one. It is somewhat similar in structure than the great "I See No Reason" from their debut. "Cascade" is an emotional rock ballad and another occasion for Roy to show all of his vocal talents. It lacks the great instrumental parts from its illustrous predecessor but it is a nice way to close this album.

I would say that this "Return Of Drakkar" is worth five out of ten, but I upgrade it to three stars.

Review by Easy Livin
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
3 stars Return of an organ

With their recording contract with CBS now over, Titanic moved to the rather smaller Barclay records for the release of their fifth studio album in 1978. Once again, the line up was to alter significantly, with John Williamson and Andrew Poulton both departing. Back came John Lorck on drums, to be joined by the wonderfully named basist Saintclair Brunet. More significantly though, the line up once again boasted a keyboard player in Claude Chamboissier.

While the album displays some of the pop rock traits which hampered the disappointing "Ballad of a rock 'n' roll loser", it does at least see the band attempting to turn the clock back towards their fine early albums. The opening "Blue train" is a pleasant but largely prosaic piece of guitar rock. The following (appropriately named) "Flashback" however reintroduces the fine organ sounds, the track being a fairly blatant attempt to create a "Sultana part 2". In a nod toward progress, synthesiser also appears on the track. The remaining tracks on side one (note that the sides are reversed on the rear sleeve) also feature the welcome return of keyboards, but are rather lightweight pop affairs. "Sparkly brown" is especially pop orientated, bordering on the bubblegum.

The side two opener "Jack Knife" is a sort of blend of "Sing fool sing" and "Underbird" from the band's early career, the frantic percussion and driving Hammond reminding us of the band's glory days while offering something fresh and interesting. "Mr. Hyde" has a Mountain (the band) feel to it, the harsh Leslie West like vocals suiting the rock and roll rhythm well. "Haunted house" is an uncomplicated acoustic song, but its strong melody and fine vocal performance make it an album highlight.

The closing "Cascade" is the longest track at just over 6 minutes. The song is a fine organ drenched ballad with a top notch vocal performance by Roy Robinson. It features some effective high backing vocals and some impassioned lyrics.

In summary, a much better album than its predecessor, but "Return of Drakkar" still falls well short of the first three albums released by the band.

Latest members reviews

3 stars After Ballad of a rock'n roll loser, the American southern tinged rock,and ultimate let down, compared to the first three albums,Titanic tries to recreate a bit of those early days.This album kind of is more of a hard rock album with a few mellow slow songs with a splash of prog mixed in her ... (read more)

Report this review (#449634) | Posted by gr8dane | Thursday, May 19, 2011 | Review Permanlink

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