ROCK & ROLL

This last Fudge album from their classic period isn't really good, unfortunately. The band is out of steam and Bogert and Appice are thinking more to their trio project with Beck than to the Fudge.

It seems that they were rather keen on releasing as many albums as they could in a short period of time (five albums in just over two years).

"Need Love" although sounding very raw is one of the very few bearable songs from "Rock And Roll". A true rock song with an incredible beat. Good but not brilliant. The gospel oriented "Lord In The Country" is absolutely dreadful. To press next is by far the best thing you can do. Probably the worst Fudge experience although "I Can't Make It Alone" is pretty poor as well. This time, the soul influence is dominant. Difficult to pick up which one is the poorest. A draw I guess. Keep on pressing next.

"Church Bells Of St. Martins" reminds me at times of the "Paul Butterfield Blues Band" (especially their great Woodstock appearance. But this song is pompous and chaotic. Still, I guess that 10CC must have listened to it because some of their crazy and complex arrangements have such a flavour. But in a very much harmonic pattern.

There is ONE very good song on this album : "The Windmills Of Your Mind". A great cover version of this soundtrack piece ("The Thomas Crown Affair"). But one song (even excellent) can't save an album. OK, let('s add "Need Love" to the list.

A pitiful effort, I'm afraid. Mostly influenced by rhythm & blues and soul which are absolutely not my cup of tea.

Two stars for this uninspired album.