Customer Reviews

At The Sound of the Bell

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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

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.

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.

Had this title on LP in the 80's and getting it on CD now, it's even better than I remembered!

To answer 'stargazer" question this band is from my hometown of St. Louis, MO. This album is outstanding as is Pampered Menial.

They are a huge radio staple still in on St. Louis' K-SHE 95. However, they had even larger success in New Zealand and Germany.
I will not give a review other than they are the cream of the crop in prog rock of the 70's.

This review is simply to answer stargazers question.

1976's "At the Sound of the Bell" continued the group's partnership with producers Murray Krugman and Sandy Pearlman. Original drummer Mike Saffron gave notice before the album was recorded with sessions player Bill Bruford handled drums on the album. During the recording sessions keyboard player David Hamilton was replaced by Thomas Nickeson. The band also seemingly opted for a change in musical direction though the change may have been lost on anyone unaccustomed to vocalist David Surkamp. If his voice didn't irritate you like chalk on a chalkboard, then there was a good chance you'd find these nine songs were actually even more commercial than the debut. On the other hand, if Surkamp's voice drove you crazy; well you probably want to stop reading right here.

With Surkamp again responsible for most of the material (four tracks were co-written with synthesizer player Douglas Rayburn), there were some distinct changes in the band's sound this time around. The debut's rock edges were almost entirely absent, replaced by a much more commercial sound (again I'm using the term in a broad sense), that was heavily geared to softer, ballad-oriented tunes like 'She Came Shining' and 'Standing Here with You (Megan's Song)'. In fact, most of these nine tracks seemed to be focused on the theme of lost love. I'm guessing the change in direction was meant to accommodate Columbia management's interest in breaking the band commercially, though for what it's worth, the decision to push lead guitarist Steve Scorfina into the background was a major disservice to the band. Tracks like 'Golden Nugget' were certainly pretty, but propelled by Surkamp's unconventional voice they had little chance of gaining commercial acceptance and the change in direction stripped the band of some of their most endearing characteristics.

- Surrounded by Douglas Rayburn's shimmering synthesizers 'She Came Shining' started the album with one of the band's prettiest melodies. The song started out as a gentle ballad with a Surkamp actually restraining his usual excesses, but gradually built up a distinct sense of anger and energy (Surkamp's vibrato also became more obvious as the track went on). Great Steve Scorfina guitar solo. rating: **** stars
- ' Standing Here with You (Megan's Song)' started out as a sappy and insipid ballad. I remember playing this one for a friend and they were dumbfounded to learn a guy was actually singing the lead. Luckily, the track had a killer hook in the form of a chorus that featured the band's surprisingly enjoyable harmony vocals. rating: ** stars
- For anyone doubting these guys could recorded a pop song there was ' Mersey'. A top-40ish ballad with an instantly likeable melody, this one actually could have enjoyed radio success had it been released a couple of years later. rating: **** stars
- 'Valkerie' found the band finally breaking away from their top-40 orientation (yeah I'm using the term broadly), and returning to a more rock/progressive direction. While the song took a while to get going, it was one of the few tracks that gave the band a chance to stretch out; Bruford and the Carver (or guest sax players Michael Brecker and Andy Mackay) certainly benefited from the extra creative room. rating: *** stars
- With a likeable, breezy melody, 'Try To Hang On' was the album's most pop-oriented track and one of the few tracks that gave guitarist Scorfina a chance to shine with a blazing solo. rating: **** stars
- 'Gold Nugget' was another ballad, but benefited from three factors: 1.) a subdued Surkamp vocal, 2.) one of the band's most memorable melodies. and some of Scorfina's prettiest work. rating: **** stars
- An atypical up-tempo rocker with a horn arrangement, 'She Breaks Like a Morning Sky' probably gets my nod as best overall performance. Great unaccredited sax solo ... rating: **** stars
- 'Did You See Him Cry' opened up with some atmospheric piano, synthesizers, and lead guitar before shifting gears into a progressive-oriented structure that sounded like Surkamp and company had been listening to quite a few 1970s-era UK progressive bands. Yeah, with the emphasis was clearly on Nickeson's keyboards and particularly Rayburn's synthesizers and the song bounced all over the musical spectrum, but it wasn't a bad way to end the album. rating: *** stars

Curiously, judging by the liner notes credits, Columbia management doesn't seem to have had much faith the group's instrumental prowess, bringing in an all-star cast of sessions players including guitarist Elliot Randall and sax players Michael Brecker and Andy Mackay. So how to rate it compared to the debut? I'll be honest and admit I'm torn. I've always enjoyed the debut and I truly miss the rawer, rock edges. On the other hand, the occasionally subdued Surkamp vocals and pop song structures made the sophomore set worth hearing. Guess the more adventuresome folks out there will have to figure it out for themselves.

"At the Sound of the Bell" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) She Came Shining (David Surkamp - Douglas Rayburn) - 4:24
2.) Standing Here with You (Megan's Song) (David Surkamp) - 3:47
3.) Mersey (David Surkamp - Steve Scorfina) - 3:03
4.) Valkerie (David Surkamp) - 6:22

(side 2)
1.) Try To Hang On (David Surkamp) - 2;08
2.) Gold Nugget (David Surkamp) - 3:25
3.) She Breaks Like a Morning Sky (David Surkamp - Douglas Rayburn) - 2:22
4.) Early Morning On (David Surkamp - Douglas Rayburn) - 3:21
5.) Did You See Him Cry (David Surkamp- Douglas Rayburn) - 5:36

And that was it for the band.

Carver moved to Kansas City and largely dropped out of music focusing his attention on conservative politics and writing. Only 60, he died in May 2009.
Nickeson and Scorfina moved to California where they joined the band Gulliver (not the Darryl Hall group). Moving back to St. Louis they played in a couple of local bands, including The Memphis Underground, and Pave. Scorfina's also recorded a couple of self-financed CDs.

Memories of my youth came flooding back as soon as I put this disc on the player. David Surkamps voice a little surprising if you aren't aware but no worse than Geddy Lee's of Rush fame. Do not confuse this with a heavy metal act as Pavlov's Dog is anything but. Just a solid tight rock band that has a unique vocal style to it. Not unlike Supertramp if I may. "Standing Here With You", "Mersey" and "Gold Nuggets" are key tracks in my humble opinion.