ATOMIC ROOOSTER

Atomic Ro-o-oster is the first album for Atomic Rooster and is very experimental and bluesy in places, mixed with a heavy barrage of guitars and Hammond. The band feature some great riffs - guitar solos and grinding Hammond throughout - their signature sound on all albums.

There are some classic tracks on here that have become legendary among AR fans: 'Friday 13th', 'Winter', 'Banstead', 'S.L.Y.' and the blues-driven 'Broken Wings' are wonderful and it is little wonder that they have featured on best of compilations for years. My favourite is Banstead with its repeated plea, "please take me out of this place" - it is based on a mental hospital; perhaps a prophecy of the decline of Vincent's sanity that would ultimately destroy him. The track features some excellent Hammond and an off-kilter time signature that is pure prog. The hypnotic riff of S.L.Y is compelling and feels a little like blues mixed with a heavy guitar and organ trade off.

Overall the album is a terrific debut for the band. It is worth picking up the remastered Cd with bonus tracks that include excellent U.S. renditions of Friday b13th, Before Tomorrow and S.L.Y that are quite different to the original versions. There are also 2 solid BBC Radio session versions of Friday 13th and Seven Lonely Streets. The booklet has some interesting info and introduces the band competently. A great CD package but the best was yet to come for Atomic Rooster.