SPACESHIP EARTH

This is SUGARLOAF's second album released in 1971. The big change is the addition of vocalist and guitarist Bob Yeazel and this was a significant move as he composed almost everything on this album. The debut certainly had it's share of cover songs so i'm sure he was brought in to create some original material. There's a completely different vibe to this record compared to the debut where we got a lot of jamming. Shorter tracks here with almost a countryish / West coast thing happening.

"Spaceship Earth" is one of the better tracks and it doesn't kick into a groove until before 2 1/2 minutes. I like this a lot. A real CAMEL vibe on this opening instrumental at times. "Rusty Cloud" is an uptempo vocal track. There's a definite enviromental flavour to the lyrics throughout this album. Cool tune. "I Don't Need You Baby" is where they slow it down and it has a bluesy feel to it. Vocals before 1 1/2 minutes. Harmonies too with piano and drums standing out. "Rollin' Hills" has harmonica and country vibe to it as he sings about those rollin' hills, sunshine and his friends the trees.

"Mother Nature's Wine" opens with keyboards that remind me of "Green-Eyed Lady". Again the earth is the subject matter. Good song. "Country Dawg" opens with guitar but soon the vocals and organ join in. Not a fan of this one. "Woman" isn't much better to be honest. "Music Box" is a short 2 1/2 minute track with the music box playing and reserved vocals. Three very average tunes in a row. "Tongue In Cheek" ends the album and this is much better. In fact this was a hit for them back then although I don't recognize it. The bonus track I do remember called "Don't Call Us, We'll Call You". In fact I think I had this on a K-Tel record when I was like 14 years old (haha). A rant against record companies really but very dynamic and this is from their 1975 album of the same name.

It's interesting reading leader Jerry Corbetta's thoughts about their experience. He talks about how "Green-Eyed Lady" from their debut became an unexpected hit settling in at number 3 in the Billboard charts. They were an overnight success and they were thrust into touring opening for JETHRO TULL and many looked at them as bubblegum because of their lone hit. He says it was like the cart ahead of the horse scenerio. By the way they named themselves after the Sugarloaf mountain range in Colorado. I will always treasure "Green-Eyed Lady".