GOLDEN EARRING [AKA: WALL OF DOLLS]

The eponymous, 6th studio album, by GOLDEN EARRING was their first truly successful and creatively arranged piece of work. Also known as "The Wall of Dolls", it arguably remains one of their best studio efforts.

Unlike the equally stunning "Moontan", which was yet to come 3 years later, this seems somewhat subdued, at least on the first listen. There are no obvious hits like "Radar Love", no lengthy progressively developed jams in the vein of "Vanilla Queen" or "Are You Receiving Me". On the other hand it is well-structured, produced and balanced so there are no minor gaps or inconsistencies between songs like those present in parts of "Moontan" ("Suzy Lunacy" or "Vince Taylor").

All in all, the music runs smoothly throughout the album, so the transition between harder up-tempo rockers and prog-oriented psych ballads is never bumpy. Barry Hay's flute has a prominent role here, so comparison with JETHRO TULL is natural. Although not a virtuoso like Anderson, his flute just adds a sufficient spice to such excellent tracks as "Yellow and Blue", "Big Tree, Blue See" and "Back Home".

Heavy blues-rock "The Loner" sounds like taken from the first two LED ZEPPELIN albums, but on the other hand slower and darker ballads "The Wall of Dolls" and "See See" shows the band's well capable of making psych-inspired and more complex compositions, which would culminate on the following years' major track "She Flies on Strange Wings" from the LP "Seven Tears". Irresistibly catchy melody hooks and choruses of "This Is the Time of the Year" and "Back Home" had certain hit potentials and even nowadays seem not to have lost much of their past appeals.

Along with "Moontan", this album is their best effort from the classic 1970s period and definitely deserves your attention.

PERSONAL RATING: 4,5/5

P.A. RATING: 4/5