Customer Reviews

Atomic Roooster

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

 

 

Originally released in 1970,as this was Rooster's debut record.It featured the one-time-only line-up of:Vincent Crane-organ,Nick Graham-bass&vocals and Carl Palmer-drums.Didn't realize John DuCann wasn't on this album UNTIL now.I've heard some long time fans mention that this first lp from Atomic Rooster wasn't all that.Not sure what they're talking about,but I,personally think it's a good piece of British 'progressive hard rock'.What more could one ask for,specially for a first effort?The better tunes are the rocking "Friday The 13th","Winter","Broken Wings" and the heavy-duty "Before Tomorrow".This CD reissue comes with five(5)bonus tracks tagged on.Check out the last two-they're from a 1970 BBC Session,mind you!A should-have.

The music is period specific but still exhilarating. It took me a while to find the right album and it is this first album which features Carl Palmer. But he isn't the story here. The story is Vincent Crane, a talented keyboardist quite clearly depressed. His sad tragic life was apparently a 20 year descent into ever growing depression which ended in suicide, and his lyrics presage his tragic journey. Listening to it with that history is a little spooky but the music itself is top notch.

This is a stellar debut album from Atomic Rooster. Most people prefer Death Walks Behind You i happen to like both albums equally. The debut is more organ driven and Death is more heavy on guitar. Atomic Rooster was Vincent Crane
(Band Leader, Songwriter and Hammond Organist Nick Graham (On Bass and Vocals) and last but not least Carl Palmer on drums (Carl has an amazing drum solo in decline and fall. After listening to this album you may or may not have noticed something dark and depressing about the lyrics. Vincent Crane died in 1989 from a long battle with depression. It all makes sense when you listen to his lyrics the song Banstead is about wanting to leave a mental institution the place actually exsists in England i think. Atomic Rooster recorded three great albums in a row all with three different lead singers. It's a shame Vincent took his own life he was obviously a brilliant man who wrote great songs not to mention one hell of a B3 player. I highly recomend this album for anyone who is into heavy keyboard driven rock.

Simply put,Crane was a musical genius with talent to spare.His playing and compositions are second to none. If you appreciate quality hard rock music, this is a great choice.