EIGHT MILES HIGH

This album represent the first turning point in Golden Earring's career, turning from a typical beat music band (but do check-out the beautiful song 'I just Lost Somebody') to a.. well whatnot band. Heavy psych, doom blues, folk-infused, heavy prog and jamband? A style the band would continue on its 'Puppet Wall' follow-up, before turning towards a more radio friendly sophisto-rock group with the Moontan album. For its year of release (1969) 'Eight Miles High' could be seen as the frontier of progressive rock, as well as hardrock. The production isn't particularly bad for its time (and I own an old, mistreated vinyl), but it does sound a bit 'out there somewhere'. I would be interested to hear what modern mastering techniques could achieve here.

The almost doom-metal sound achieved on 'Everyday's Torture', one of my favorite songs of the band, is really impressive. 'Song of a Devils Servent' is a dive into ethnic influenced rock. On side two the band elaborates on The Byrds' famous 'Eight Miles High' song. Oh boy does George Kooymans improve on that main lead guitar melody. I always felt like early Golden Earring sounded heavily influenced by Quicksilver Messenger Service's 'Happy Trails' record when it comes to vocals and overall sound. Taking on the jamband coat the band falls a bit short of a great drummer, whereas Cesar Zuiderwijk would join after this record. The opening section is legendary and the guitar jams following it sound great. The 19 minute tracks is however in danger of falling flat after a mediocre drumsolo and only a slightly more interesting fuzz bass solo (amazing sound by the way!) by Rinus Gerritsen. The ending section is better but sounds a bit rushed and unfinished. The song would evolve during live concerts into the great '77 cut on the excellent Earring's 'Live' album.

Conclusion. Not a perfect album, but full of great moments of interest to collectors of early progressive, heavy psych, bluesrock and hardrock. Would give it three-and-a-halve stars.