RHINOS, WINOS AND LUNATICS

If I was approached by someone asking where would the best place be to start with Man then I would direct them to this album. It has on it everything that is great about them and a well rounded representation of the esscence of the band. The long instrumental workouts, the harmony vocals and Man's own brand of Rock 'n' Roll.

Every track on this album needs to be there, not a single filler is present. This may have been helped by bringing in Producer Roy Thomas Baker who helped streamline the band who by their own admission didn't usually like outside interference.

The album also marks the return of Guitarist/Vocalist Deke Leonard who had spent the last few years with his band Iceberg. He brought with him from that band Malcolm Morley and Ken Whaley on Keyboards/Vocals and bass respectively. Completing the line-up were the ever-present Mickey Jones, Guitar and Vocals and superb Drummer Terry Williams (later to have success as a member of Dire Straits).

Side 1 on the original vinyl format consisted of four songs opening with the uptempo "Taking the Easy Way Out Again" , one of the highlights of this release. Man adopt more of an American west coast harmony sound on the beautiful "California Silks and Satins" but my personnel favourite being "Four Day Louise" which the bnad liked so much they even stated at the time that they'd play it for the next 29 years. They didn't by the way.

Side 2 really consists of 2 songs, "Kerosene" and "Scotch Corner" which are bookended by short instrumentals "Intro" and "Exit". Both long tracks with some wonderful Guitar workouts in the traditional Man style, "Scotch Corner" slightly having the edge in my opinion. The album closes in hauntingly beautiful fashion as the downward spirral Arpeggio of "Exit" comes to an abrupt end.