PAVLOV'S DOG

01. She Came Shining Angelic! This is the beginning, with a keyboard light on the background and the voice of David giving leaves. Then the band comes in with a theme mild, almost folk and very beautiful, with well-placed vocal and instrumental unparalleled. Refrain sensational. Venture to say that it is magnificent and the best man for the disc already. 02. Standing Here With You (Megan's Song) Piano and violin a beautiful song, and I love beautiful songs! Beautiful guitars and beautiful vocals, a base of strings in the background. All very nice and behaved.

03. Mersey A work of very good guitar in the band. Another track virtually acoustic (this disc is mostly). To refrain from sensitive and saxophone solo ...! Pearl Pop is not lacking in drive.

04. Valkerie From the beginning of classical piano melody once we are taken by the full band and I would say the beginning of the Progressive Rock of the disc (if not the most progressive). Guitars and guitar give the tone and very well done. While the voice is always highlighted. The aid of the sax in a few moments is essential. In general the melody is different percussion with a strange and enigmatic way, also to highlight the drummer Mike Safron who did a beautiful arrangement for the music. The end in endless refrain is great with the sax.

05. Try To Hang On Low as monitoring? It is always wonderful. This here is one of the coolest, with melody 'party' and a keyboard played very well, the guitars come Rock and Honky Tonk, Jazz, a pinch of everything what's interesting in the musical world. Background vocals (think of coral were when young laughter). Short but wonderful!

06. Gold Nuggets One more sound and beautiful that starts with what I imagine to be a follow-up to the accordion guitar. Amid the battery enter into setback to balance things. Mandolinist! Behold, the boys surprised!

07. She Breaks Like A Morning Sky Sensacional! Jazz total, climate of cabaret, sax and everything else that was necessary so that the song became very nice. Highlight of the entire disk as well. Solo saxophone (found not only the most credit for the fund to know who is playing on the disc.)

08. Early Morning On Progressive! Total, the beginning! Fools, because then change the class (laughs) The synthesizers give the guys in this area very well, the entire track is full of them, especially in the main theme. Coral 'Christmas' in strange sequence. After back 'to normal'.

09. Did You See Him Cry Mice in the beginning, stopped abruptly, classical piano. More changes. This here is the last Progressive Rock, a legacy of Yes Many even keyboards. In a more vocal melody pearl (the band was good at it).

Overall the disc is not at all progressive, but is good and has great influence. The sessions of the piano music are great. A show of good taste in the band, a wonderful view for a short disc, but well above the average without any doubt.

www.progshine.com

MY FIRST CONTACT WITH PAVLOV'S DOG AND 'PAMPERED MENIAL': I bought this CD after reading of it and Pavlov's Dog in a book. Discarded this CD... I believe that they have not found anything so interesting. I entered 'Pampered Menial' in the CD player... And a world has opened before me. Why is it true... I discovered that the U.S. was playing music so melodic and concrete... So close to the music that my heart research... I could not not love it! Certainly I appreciated the whole album. In some moments I found the absolute masterpiece (as in 'Julia', 'Late November', 'Theme From Subway Sue', 'Preludin' and 'Of Once And Future Kings'), in other moments I have found only a pure masterpiece. I was immediately struck by the voice of David Surkamp, natural falsetto and similar to the voice of Geddy Lee of Rush. So I have suffered estimated that 'Pampered Menial' was an absolute masterpiece.

TODAY AFTER 4 YEARS FROM THE FIRST LISTENING: Strange... What has changed? None. And because they're sincere nothing will change!

CONCLUSIONS: Absolute Masterpiece of Crossover Prog, U.S. Prog and Prog. This is 'Pampered Menial'.

A couple of gold nuggets. plus one or two chicken nuggets

Pavlov's dog returned two years after the release of their well received debut ("Pampered menial") with what is in my opinion a generally superior offering. In outline, the two albums are broadly similar, with nine tracks on each and a paltry 33+ minutes of music. By this time, founding violinist etc. Siegfried Carver had already left the band; while he was not directly replaced, the band did add acoustic guitarist/harmony vocalist Thomas Nickeson. Nickeson would go on to play keyboards too. The album also features a long list of guest artists including Andy Mackay on sax, Javyn Wright on violin plus a boys choir and a string orchestra. Although Mike Saffron was still a member of the band at this stage, he is not credited on the sleeve, and does not actually play on the album. His place on drums is filled on a guest basis by Bill Bruford (credited as William Bruford).

There is a certain maturity to the songs which for me was lacking on the band's debut, but they remain structurally simple, with the fine ballad "Standing here with you" for example failing to realise its full potential. The vocals of David Surkamp are less of an issue for those of us already familiar with the first album, although those picking up the band for the first time with this album will go through the same emotions as the rest of us did.

There are several highlights along the way, especially in the two tracks to breech the 5 minute barrier. "Valkerie" opens with a luscious mellotron sweep introducing something far closer to prog than we have heard from the band so far. It is on the chorus here that we find the boys choir, and though the effect is somewhat corny, it works reasonably well. The closing "Did you see him cry" is the best track on the album. It is based on a fine piano melody which is enhanced by mellotron and an emotive vocal. The arrnagement of the track is even more towards prog than "Valkerie" with the first real extended instrumental break the band have put together.

"Gold nuggets" is a decent organ backed ballad with an emotional vocal delivery telling a good tale well, but once again the track could have been so much more. Elsewhere, we have a couple of throwaway tracks, the 2 minute Queen like "Try to hang on" being the most disposable, but the similarly jaunty "She breaks the morning sky" coming close behind.

In all, while "At the sound of the bell" is rather an inconsistent offering, and a woefully short one, it does contain enough appealing material to make it Pavlov's Dog's best release. If you only hear one of their albums, I would recommend it be this one.

Experiments in salivation

Pavlov's dog take their name from experiments into classical conditioning carried out by Russian Nobel prize winner Ivan Pavlov on (yes you guessed) dogs. Essentially, Pavlov's research proved that the dog's salivation was as much to do with association as it was to do with the food itself. Whether the mention of the name "Pampered menial" sets one salivating before even listening to the album is a matter of personal preference, but I have to confess to wondering what all the fuss is about.

There are two things which stand out about this album above all others. The first of these is the brevity of both the tracks and of the album which runs to a miserly 33+ minutes. The second, and most obvious oral distinction is the unique vocal sound of David Surkamp. While most often (and rightly) compared to Geddy Lee (only even higher), Surkamp's trembling delivery also reminded me somewhat of Feargal Sharkey (of the Undertones) or a Tina Turner album played at 45rpm. The striking nature of the vocals will instantly cause some to turn away, while others will find them perfect for the material.

Here we have just 9 brief songs. There is an admirable diversity to the styles adopted, but overall this is sophisticated pop rock of the type (but not the style) delivered by bands such as 10CC. While there is a welcome upfront appearance of mellotron on tracks such as "Song dance", I find little which is truly progressive here, the songs being well arranged but underdeveloped. For a band with such a promising and diverse line up, the exploitation of their instrumental talents is notable by its absence. There are interludes such as the vitar (a bizarre cross between a guitar and a violin) break on "Natchez Train" which demonstrate the band's potential to develop their material into more substantial pieces, but virtually every track is a potential single in its final form.

"Episode" is for me the finest track on the album, this slower ballad reminds me a little of Amon Duul II's "Race from here to your ears". The swirling mellotron backing the track and the fine violin playing offer an atmospheric delight. The closing "Of once and future kings", which when linked to "Preludin" forms a 7 minute two part suite, has a slightly more adventurous structure. While the track has some pleasant sequences, overall I found it rather disjointed and unfocussed.

"Pampered menial" is a thoroughly enjoyable album, with strong hooks and memorable performances. I find though that my initial salivation at the prospect offered by the strong instrumental line up evaporates as I discover I am in for a light snack rather than the feast expected.

Diverse

There are two things that you can easily distinguish in Pavlov's Dog's debut: the distinct voice of David Surkamp and the diversity in the music. I always had respect in the first two tracks (Julia and Late November), the most well known songs of the band, as I used to listen to them in my high-school years. I truly consider them as excellent pieces of classic rock with a touch of melody and a slight 'mainstream' sound.

But Pampered Menial is way more than that. The quality of the album is on high standards with different musical approaches from one song to another. The vocals are indeed in the 'love or hate' category, but one cannot deny the passion and the originality of Surkamp's voice. If listened to the album for the first time, you could easily presume that this may be a collection, and not a studio record, due to the many different styles of prog and rock introduced by the band. This is evident throughout the record, from the blues/ballad sound of Julia and Theme from Subway Sue to the rock'n'roll Natchez Trace, and from the heavy prog riffs of Song Dance to the ending 'proggish' of Once and Future Kings. These latter two are probably the highlights of the album, posing much interest to prog fans.

The use of violin and piano at several points introduce a melancholic atmosphere which blends perfectly with the character of the album. Folk and symphonic elements simply add to the 'spice' of this nostalgic effort. Highly recommended for listening during a Late November rainy night.

Pampered Menial by Pavlov's Dog first caught my eye in a review in Mojo magazine that cited it as being a great example of classic prog rock. The article highlighted the vocal technique of David Surkamp and the highly innovative structure of the songs. I saw this album rather cheap in a local store and could not resist trying them out. On the first listen I could see immediately what the Mojo article was trying to say. Surkamp's vocals are indeed some of the strangest and yet highly listenable vocals I have ever heard. He has a distinctive high soprano that vibrates at the top register, beyond tenor, and unlike even the high soprano technique of Rush's Geddy Lee. The voice souds bizarre enough to turn many off but if you stick with it, this album can be an exhilirating experience.

'Julia' is operatic in style and a beautifully executed single that works well as a ballad: "I can't live without your love". The pathos and potency of the lyrics is Surkamp's forte, and he continues in form with the astounding 'Late November'. I saw this clip live online and it cemented my decision to get this album. It's a great track and is actually my favourite of the band.

'Subway Sue' is also excellent and features brilliant keyboards from David Hamilton and Scorfina's guitar rings throughout. Another track of note is 'Of Once and Future Kings' with its time signature changes and incredible blend of instruments.

Not every track works for me and the tracks all seem rather similar due to the distinctive style, but its impossible to emulate the sound of this band and for that reason alone they are worthy additions to any prog collection. This is a very unique album from a very unique band, their sophomore album if you like. I understand Pavlov's Dog have other albums to choose from but if you are only after one example of their music, this is the album to get.

The best albums are without doubt those you know almost nothing about and don't expect anything from, and yet they turn out to be all that you wished for. For almost a month this album has been a trusty companion, while offering the same thrill time after time. It's just so very unique, which has been pointed out many times, but I still feel that it deserves another mention. Feelings evoked by the album are equally hard to describe. Rainy days in autumn passes by, memories of lost love, yearning. But underneath is a weak but clear light, a hopeful and cleansing tone that is remarkably uplifting all the time. With the risk of flying way over the top on the pretentiousness scale, it's an album somehow filled with struggle.

Some have called it a vocal-driven album. But I feel that statement implies that the music comes in second hand, and nothing could be more wrong. Remember that. David Surkamp has a voice few others resemble, extremely clear, high-pitched and with a shaky fragility that adds even more emotional fuel to Pampered Menial. It's distinct and possibly deterring, but give him a chance to sink in before you judge the album on those merits alone. It's worth the time.

This is genre-defying, easy to get and yet full of minor complexities. But it is the honesty, the profoundness of Pampered Menial that strikes you the most. Many have tried to apply prog ideals on more streamlined music, but in many cases it feels half-hearted or even sloppy. One could of course argue that Pampered Menial is nothing but classic rock and a mellotron. But it isn't as easy as that. While the mellotron adds amazing atmosphere and depth, as it should be, it doesn't stop here. Pavlov's Dog has been nurturing this album, giving it a lot of thought along the way. The melodies are of supreme quality, sometimes sweeping you off in unwanted directions, only to land in a churning guitar riff and yet another powerful refrain. Success isn't built on difficult timing or awkwardly complex structure, but from a number of small tweaks, runs, even singular tones, flowing in and out of the music in just the right places- all the time. Violin and viola for that extra emotional or exotic boost, keyboard effects, the unsurpassed delicacy only a ringing piano can create and, well I can't deny it, mellotron. Mellotron and just a little more mellotron. In adding all these elements together, Pampered Menial turns into a rough mixture of Kansas and early Rush, but in a diet version. Remove some symphonic bombast and force, cut back on some aggression and technicality and finally - add some personality and a lot of heart.

In fact, a great deal of Pampered Menial's charm lies in its inherent weakness. It is not a prog powerhouse, but it incorporates that elusive spirit we're looking for, while maintaining the benefit of being direct and accessible along the way. To top that, very few albums can brag about such a constant flow of pure quality when it comes to the individual songs. There just isn't a single low point to be found. Consistent, but never routine and never a watered-down idea.

5 stars. A masterpiece.

//LinusW

At the Sound of the Bell is a big let down after their debut Pampered Menial. It is true that the band never made very strong progressive rock, but while their first album is a mix of progressive rock with hard rock, with great musicianship, At the Sound of the Bell is mainly and album of lush pop ballads.

Apart from Valkerie, Gold Nuggets and Did You See Him Cry, which is one of the most progressive songs ever made by Pavlov´s Dog, that make some justice to their progressive rock roots and could fit perfectly on their debut album, the rest is pretty forgettable. Unless you find the album very cheap or in fact enjoy pop rock, AOR and country, it is not worth buying the album. It is a pity, because three songs are really nice, but they don´t worth buying the album because probably it will end shelved among you collection of progressive rock.

A beloved band among progressive rock followers, PAVLOV'S DOG have their roots in a small band called ''High on a Small Hill'' in 1972.Three of the band's members decided to form another group,focusing on composing original material and so,after several auditions,PAVLOV'S DOG were born in St.Louis around 1974.Some early tracks,recorded at a Illinois-based studio,would reach their debut ''Pampered menial'' in 1975.In this album the band blends the well-known hard rock sound of LED ZEPPELIN and DEEP PURPLE with classical touches,nice instrumental sections and expressive,unique vocals delivered by the great David Surkamp.In ''Pampered menial'' the rockin' guitars and the fantastic grooves are blended with driving violins,beautiful mellotron work and delicate flutes,resulting an album filled with passion,sensitivity and originality.Highly recommended,''Pampered menial'' deserves a place among the best art/hard rock albums ever to see the light!

Pampered or not - this dog is something really special ...

Yes - this album is a very short one indeed. But on the other hand very very impressive. The band, headed by David Surkamp, delivers nine compact songs, some with ballad character. We have wonderful melodies, a lot of Mellotron and diverse other instruments like violin and flute - additionally decent electric and acoustic guitars with some rare heavy rock exceptions. Difficult to categorize the band creates something very melancholic with a mix of symphonic, folk, rock, pop - doubtful being prog you might think if your listening to the album for the fist time. But when you're familiar with it this is no question anymore.

Initiated by a piano intro Julia probably might be the band's best known song - a ballad with mellotron background and flute - wonderful! And Surkamp's vocals of course - either you love or you hate it. But this band would not be PAVLOV'S DOG without his helium falsetto voice. No song lacks. Late November is very melodic and so melancholic. Song dance much heavier, rockier with nice violin contributions and an electric guitar solo. Matchez Trace contains a nice groove and Theme From Subway Sue comes very pathetic - Surkamp cries - he must have raved himself hoarse at the end of the song. I wonder how he was able to continue singing after recording this track - wow! The epic Of Once And Future Kings is something special for me delivering a symphonic orchestral mood. Interrupted by a boogie woogie interlude surprisingly this song is definetely my highlight. Probably because this one is prog pure.

I recommend to check out 'Pampered Menial'. It will enhance your musical horizon for sure ...