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Groundhogs - Blues Obituary CD (album) cover

BLUES OBITUARY

Groundhogs

 

Prog Related

3.07 | 23 ratings

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DangHeck
Prog Reviewer
2 stars Better Seasoned and Better Reasoned Blues Rock Here!

This is the 1969 sophomore release by this, to me at first, sophomoric British Blues Rock band. The first thing I want to say, the first thing that comes to mind, is thank God this album is shorter than their debut. I just don't have time for bullsh*t that offers me nothing anymore. Hedonism utterly and unabashedly embraced. Do things you love, Familie.

And from the start, I do have some optimism with the first few bars of "B.D.D." Now, is this Blues Rock, as I've been expecting since listening to their debut? Yeah. Is it better so far? Also yes. Good start. I think, for one thing, this album is mixed a bit better than their debut. This is noticeable to me on the next song, "Daze of the Weak" [I'm honestly a little slow this morning and I only now caught that wordplay haha]. Though, to me, it was a bit weak (ironic). I will say, despite the fact that this is very of the time Blues Rock (to me, to a fault, at times), it is, ultimately, in the grand scheme of things, a clear creative progression for the band. [Editing this later on, I only have one thought. How many comma-separated segments can one man use in one sentence? haha.]

Speaking of progression, and I'm not sure exactly what it is (the rhythmic sonic choices, perhaps?), but "Times" feels ahead of its time in a way. But also, I guess it reminds me of, maybe, "Lemon Song", to go back to my previous comparisons to Led Zeppelin. I mean, that does grant a judgement of "progressive" in my mind. I really don't search this sort of thing out in general... So, I mean, I don't need to hear it again haha. But it's really pretty alright. Continuing in this sort of Led Zep familiarity, but to a greater strength is the driving "Mistreated". Despite using a cleaner guitar tone, this song is heavy. For me, this was the sure highlight of the album.

"Express Man" is a pretty decent tune, but didn't offer me much that we haven't heard from the Groundhogs already. "Natchez Burning" starts off and ends off very traditionally. I didn't need it. The sure lowlight of the whole release. We are back into something very interesting, I assume because Psychedelia, on "Light was the Day". This track slowly rises with a bass-driven drone over pounding toms and crashing cymbals. Perhaps with greater purpose, there's also something, aside from Psych-Blues Rock, goin' on that makes me think Space Rock. Very likely. I think the only weakness in this, if you would consider it likewise, is that it crescendos and rises and rises, but doesn't arrive anywhere. Regardless, I feel it was a solid closer. Good bookends.

True Rate: 2.5/5.0

DangHeck | 2/5 |

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