LUNCH

Very surprised to see the negative reactions to this record, which contains at least 4 of the best songs the band ever wrote (In Accord, Thunder and Lightning, Ain't the Man You Need, Buy Me an Island) despite some clunkers (Hula Girl). It is their most cohesive and least "proggy" -- there are no extended arrangments as on FRIENDS or HOUSE. Adding well-known US studio musicians Bobby Keys and Jim Price to supplement band member Keith Gemmell's brass looked like a transparent record company ploy but it actually works quite well, adding additional heft to the already amazing work by Gemmell. Howard Werth's cackling vocals have never sounded better suited to the material. It seems as though someone coaxed the band into penning songs like "Trombone Gulch" or "Barracuda Dan" for commerical appeal, but it happens that the songs are good. Any fan who's enjoyed the first 3 records should be advised to get this.