At The Sound of the Bell [Import]

Pavlov's Dog | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Sony Australia
• ASIN: B0000268YK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,619 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. She Came Shining

2. Standing Here with You (Megan's Song)

3. Mersey

4. Valkerie

5. Try to Hang On

6. Gold Nuggets

7. She Breaks Like Morning Sky

8. Early Morning On

9. Did You See Him Cry

Editorial Reviews

Review

Pavlov's Dog lead singer David Surkamp was everything that was wrong with the band's Columbia debut Pampered Menial. Tempered here by Blue Oyster Cult producers Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman, who also recorded the first disc, the sound is more appealing to the ear. The question is, where was it going? Too pop for progressive rock, and too progressive for Top 40, the music is driving and more focused the second time around. There are some heavy guests to add to the festivities, Roxy Music's sax player Andy McKay along with drummer William Bruford and Arista sax player Michael Brecker, though the tracks they appear on are not designated. "Valkerie" has a great hook, of "bring back the good old days," and the production here is cleaner than the first time around, but there is something very left field about this group, extremely non-commercial, even on a pretty ballad like "Standing Here With You (Megan's Song)." The music isn't as artsy as the Mothers of Invention, and certainly not as on target as Blue Oyster Cult, making one wonder if A&R man Mark Spector was just being courteous to producers Krugman and Pearlman? Mark Spector had produced Bob Segarini's 1975 effort with Dudes on Columbia, and went on to manage 38 Special, his pop leanings make this signing all the more mysterious. That being said, this outing is actually more pop oriented, or at least as poppy as this style and singer may want to be. "Try to Hang On" is light and listener friendly, one of the best tracks on the album; it is followed by "Gold Nuggets" which is almost a continuation of "Try to Hang On." "She Breaks Like Morning Sky" interrupts the flow a bit, driving a little harder, but the performance is still light years beyond the previous album. The producers have brought the music up in the mix, and the skillful playing of Pampered Meniel is brought a few notches up. "Early Morning On" is a superior track, musically, and though Surkamp is more subdued, it is still his voice which throws the monkey wrench into this affair. The cover concept with model Michael Mantel dressed as the Hunchback of Notre Dame and swinging upside down from bells is very cool, while the mascot from the previous album's cover, the 1849 artwork/engravings by Robert Vernon, appears again on the record sleeve/lyric sheet. At the risk of sounding cruel to the lead vocalist/writer/co-writer of all the songs, both albums would work better as instrumentals -- David Surkamp's voice a little too grating for the elegant and complex music inside these grooves. Adventurous and meaningful, The Sound of the Bell is a great concept and musical experience that falls short. Have to give them A for effort, though. --Muze, Joe Viglione

Pavlov's Dog lead singer David Surkamp was everything that was wrong with the band's Columbia debut Pampered Menial. Tempered here by Blue Oyster Cult producers Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman, who also recorded the first disc, the sound is more appealing to the ear. The question is, where was it going? Too pop for progressive rock, and too progressive for Top 40, the music is driving and more focused the second time around. There are some heavy guests to add to the festivities, Roxy Music's sax player Andy McKay along with drummer William Bruford and Arista sax player Michael Brecker, though the tracks they appear on are not designated. "Valkerie" has a great hook, of "bring back the good old days," and the production here is cleaner than the first time around, but there is something very left field about this group, extremely non-commercial, even on a pretty ballad like "Standing Here With You (Megan's Song)." The music isn't as artsy as the Mothers of Invention, and certainly not as on target as Blue Oyster Cult, making one wonder if A&R man Mark Spector was just being courteous to producers Krugman and Pearlman? Mark Spector had produced Bob Segarini's 1975 effort with Dudes on Columbia, and went on to manage 38 Special, his pop leanings make this signing all the more mysterious. That being said, this outing is actually more pop oriented, or at least as poppy as this style and singer may want to be. "Try to Hang On" is light and listener friendly, one of the best tracks on the album; it is followed by "Gold Nuggets" which is almost a continuation of "Try to Hang On." "She Breaks Like Morning Sky" interrupts the flow a bit, driving a little harder, but the performance is still light years beyond the previous album. The producers have brought the music up in the mix, and the skillful playing of Pampered Meniel is brought a few notches up. "Early Morning On" is a superior track, musically, and though Surkamp is more subdued, it is still his voice which throws the monkey wrench into this affair. The cover concept with model Michael Mantel dressed as the Hunchback of Notre Dame and swinging upside down from bells is very cool, while the mascot from the previous album's cover, the 1849 artwork/engravings by Robert Vernon, appears again on the record sleeve/lyric sheet. At the risk of sounding cruel to the lead vocalist/writer/co-writer of all the songs, both albums would work better as instrumentals -- David Surkamp's voice a little too grating for the elegant and complex music inside these grooves. Adventurous and meaningful, The Sound of the Bell is a great concept and musical experience that falls short. Have to give them A for effort, though. --Muze, Joe Viglione

Pavlov's Dog lead singer David Surkamp was everything that was wrong with the band's Columbia debut Pampered Menial. Tempered here by Blue Oyster Cult producers Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman, who also recorded the first disc, the sound is more appealing to the ear. The question is, where was it going? Too pop for progressive rock, and too progressive for Top 40, the music is driving and more focused the second time around. There are some heavy guests to add to the festivities, Roxy Music's sax player Andy McKay along with drummer William Bruford and Arista sax player Michael Brecker, though the tracks they appear on are not designated. "Valkerie" has a great hook, of "bring back the good old days," and the production here is cleaner than the first time around, but there is something very left field about this group, extremely non-commercial, even on a pretty ballad like "Standing Here With You (Megan's Song)." The music isn't as artsy as the Mothers of Invention, and certainly not as on target as Blue Oyster Cult, making one wonder if A&R man Mark Spector was just being courteous to producers Krugman and Pearlman? Mark Spector had produced Bob Segarini's 1975 effort with Dudes on Columbia, and went on to manage 38 Special, his pop leanings make this signing all the more mysterious. That being said, this outing is actually more pop oriented, or at least as poppy as this style and singer may want to be. "Try to Hang On" is light and listener friendly, one of the best tracks on the album; it is followed by "Gold Nuggets" which is almost a continuation of "Try to Hang On." "She Breaks Like Morning Sky" interrupts the flow a bit, driving a little harder, but the performance is still light years beyond the previous album. The producers have brought the music up in the mix, and the skillful playing of Pampered Meniel is brought a few notches up. "Early Morning On" is a superior track, musically, and though Surkamp is more subdued, it is still his voice which throws the monkey wrench into this affair. The cover concept with model Michael Mantel dressed as the Hunchback of Notre Dame and swinging upside down from bells is very cool, while the mascot from the previous album's cover, the 1849 artwork/engravings by Robert Vernon, appears again on the record sleeve/lyric sheet. At the risk of sounding cruel to the lead vocalist/writer/co-writer of all the songs, both albums would work better as instrumentals -- David Surkamp's voice a little too grating for the elegant and complex music inside these grooves. Adventurous and meaningful, The Sound of the Bell is a great concept and musical experience that falls short. Have to give them A for effort, though. --Muze, Joe Viglione --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Product Description

"At The Sound Of The Bell" is the 1976 follow-up release to Pavlov's Dog's classic, "Pampered Menial". Perhaps a bit less rocking than the debut, but even more emotionally affecting, it is still nonetheless another classic in their catalogue and features guest appearances by members of Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Steely Dan and Jazz saxophonist, Michael Brecker. Now remastered in digipak format with restored artwork, a new and inclusive booklet and with three exclusive bonus tracks. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hidden/Little-Known Rock Classic!, December 10, 2004

By 

Dr. Of Style (Saginaw, MI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: At The Sound of the Bell (Audio CD)

Greetings, all! Thanks for taking the time to read my review.

To me, this album is more than just a 'rock classic,' it is one of my favorite all-time recodings ever! And, trust me folks, I rarely dish our such superlatives. Many times, as we all know, albums by groups will contain one, or maybe just a few good/great songs, and that's it. Not here--this entire album is wonderful!

I don't like categorizing things, especially music, but a combination, really, of progressive rock, jazz, mainstream rock, ballads, pop, and even top forty is present here. But, in reality, none of that matters. What this is, simply put, is GREAT music! The tunes, all of them, are clever, beautiful, honest, and downright pretty! I bought this album when it came out in 1976, having already owned the group's first effort, the rocking PAMPERED MENIAL. The imapct and magnitude of its beauty, however, didn't hit me until some years later. Perhaps I was just to stupid or confounded at the time to appreciate it, but, after being away from it for many years, it came back to me like a long-lost best friend! I remember crying the first time I listened to it the second time around! It still makes me cry to this day! That's how very beautiful this recording is. Even more, to me personally, it is prophetic, even scary! The wonderful, epic tune "Did You See Him Cry" hit me like a truckload of bricks, for I had (bewteen listening in the 70's and redicovery in the 90's) lived and experienced what this wonderful song is all about. It touches my heart and makes me ever-recognize my humanity now, and my apparent lack of humanity in the 80's. For I saw and experienced the gentleman this song sings about.

How this album could be anything but great, is beyond reproach. I remember a review in the seventies (right before this album came out) which described David Surkamp as sounding like a 'choirboy on speed.' More acurately, he sounds closer to Rush's Geddy Lee. But, after many listens, one will see that David really is quite a bit different, and even better (IMHO) than Geddy Lee!

The cast of musicians assembled here is phenomenal: drummer Bill Bruford (the original YES drummer); the wonderful and soulful sax of Michael Brecker; saxman Andy Mackay (an original member of Roxy Music); and band regular, guitarist Stephen Scorfina (the original guitarist with REO Speedwagon). And let me tell you, folks, these cats rock! I hear something new every time I listen to this album--and I've listened to it hundreds and hundreds of times! Listen, especially, to Mr. Bruford's drumming on "Did You See Him Cry." I think only Bill could give this effort--no one else. Phenominal Bill, just amazing! Thanks!

All in all, each and every song on this album is great! I don't think I own one other album about which I can say this! The music here is wonderful; the lyrics are witty, crafty, artful, and beautiful. The way the songs are arranged (order-wise, I mean) is terrific, and more effective than I've ever heard. This album is truly one of those so-called Island Classics, for me.

We've all heard of the oft-used, and over-used term "Rock Classic," well, this one, IMHO, should be at the top of any such list. In fact, (and I have been a rocker since the 60's) this is one of my favorite albums of all time, without question!

Thank you to David Surkamp, Douglas Rayburn, et. al., for such a wonderful, personally fulfilling, prophetic, and beautiful album. I could never thank you guys enough!

Rock On, Kids,

Dr.Of Style

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humanity Victorious!, September 30, 2008

By 

Wayne Dawson (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: At The Sound of the Bell (Audio CD)

At The Sound Of the Bell was the second release from this astonishing band that popped up in the mid 1970's and just as quickly disappeared. David Surkamp's lead vocals carry emotional upper register intensity that pierce the ether like the eye of a storm but he doesn't stand alone, this muster of musicians lay down some of the most tastefully textured instrumentation known to rock music, where mandolins mix it up with guitars and much else.

Adding Bill Bruford on drums (from Yes: listen to 'Close to the Edge' album) and with session man Michael Brecker delivering one of his quintessential, blistering alto sax breaks (Try to Hang On) the core of this tightly focused group created another album of poignant, miraculous beauty. Among the extensive list of guest artists, Surkamp had the presence of mind to enlist the High Wycombe Boy's Choir for back up vocals on Valkerie.

The songs reveal a storm tossed humanity constantly at odds with soul piecing delusions whether those delusions be lost love, unfound gold or the anonymity of old age. Referred to once as a `choir boy on speed', David Surkamp's intense emotional delivery (he can hold a note like no other), cloaked in the flair and dash of such an extraordinary band, made Pavlov's Dog one of the most exciting groups to emerge in rock music from a decade that, with hindsight, was more adventurous and bold than its been given credit for.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pampered Menial / At The Sound Of the Bell, March 22, 2008

By 

Stargazer (St.Kilda, Victoria Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: At The Sound of the Bell (Audio CD)

When we first heard Pampered Menial back in the wondrous 70's, we were blown away. Who Is this Group ? Where Are They From ? How Come We'd Never Heard Them Before ? Who is that Incredible Lead Singer ? Is that a man singing, or a woman. It's David Surkamp !

The music of Pavlov's Dog is soulful, searching, poignant and incredibly beautiful. No-one else sounds like them - they are truly unique.

Listen to the haunting "Julia", a beautiful song indeed. Then try She Came Shining on At The Sound of the Bell, wonderful, pure soulsearching music.

And what an indictment on radio stations around the world that they did not play this talented, unique, group of musicians,or give them the on-air time they deserved.