THE BEST & THE REST OF ATOMIC ROOSTER

Great little sampler of the definitive heavy prog band, showcasing their perfect mix of Jimmy Page blues dirt, Emersonian keys, Procol Harum romance and Bach fugues. 'Banstead' opens with walls of organ and soaring vocals. 'Breakthrough', a rousing, keyboard filled number is featured, as well as the soft 'Decision/Indecision', a sentimental and jazzy cut with a great vocal line and a lovely melody. The hot 'A Spoonful of Bromide' absolutely satisfies with killer organ-guitar-drums interplay and neo-classical firweworks, and the anthem 'Blacksnake' is always a house favorite. 'Tomorrow Night' bumps and grinds its way past Paul Rogers and anything Bad Company ever did and makes Tempest look like a bunch of snot-nosed kids, and the closer 'Break the Ice' is absolute prog dynamite.

With a deft coming together of aggressive metallics and warm funeralistic church-rock, Atomic Rooster were always far more progressive than anyone seemed willing to give them credit for. A great band and a great collection, especially for all you closet Roosterheads out there. C'mon, you know who you are...