IN HEARING OF ATOMIC ROOSTER

The first two records from AR were rather exhilarating but when I listen to the opener Breakthrough, these bluesy sounds cool me off radically ("Black Snake" not being my cup of tea either; for the same reason).

And this aspect is too dominant during "In Hearing Of Atomic Rooster". It is also difficult for the fans to go through these permanent line-up changes. One thing is for sure: Crane still knows how to write impressive tracks. While listening to the fantastic "A Spoonful Of Bromide Helps The Pulse Rate Go Down", one is brought back to the best of their earlier recordings. Heavy organ, heavy beat, heavy track. Great track: the highlight.

This album is quite different and the new musical orientation (blues oriented) is not the best I was expecting. Fortunately, here and there, some songs are great and can be compared with their best work: the wild "Head In The Sky" is such a number. Another highlight.

I can't say the same about "The Rock" which is another funky/bluesy trip which I can't stand very much.

I was very enthusiast about their prior two releases. As long as they stuck to the great and heavy-rock music, the band still shows how effective it can be, but I'm afraid that the mix with so many blues or soul doesn't work on me.

If I could, I would rate this album with five out of ten, which means average. I upgrade it to three stars thanks to these two outstanding numbers (Spoonful and Head). This album is more heavy soul than heavy rock oriented.