Customer Reviews

Beatin' The Odds

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Beatin' The Odds is one of those few albums where I love EVERY track on it. I was totally unaware of the changes in the band on first listening to this album (when it was on LP). Molly Hatchet took a risk featuring a new frontman on this album, but their successful formula of Southern Rock was impressively maintained. Beatin' The Odds is a musical testament to a band who never gave up when the going got rough and still let the show go on for their fans. Whether or not you're a Hatchet fan, you gotta respect a band for such vigilance. Each well written song takes ahold of your soul and instills great pride in being from the South (as I am)..or a Southerner at heart. If you like the bluesy tones of the Allman Brothers and Lyrnd Skynrd-make this album a part of your collection-and you'll want more Hatchet!

Rambler holds a special place in my heart and I dedicate the song to the truest love of my life, who resides in Heaven's paradise and I hold Love Eternal for-Beth S. LeSeiur 1961-1998.

I saw Hatchet in 1981 with Jimmy Farrar and it was a really exciting show. What most fans don't realize is that Molly Hatchet had some really good musicians in it. Bruce Crump is a great drummer and well respected in the rock community. Several band members are fine musicians.

Beatin The Odds is a well played record and well produced. Tom Werman, famed rock producer did the chores here and the quality shows it. There is not a wasted track here and this is one CD all fans of southern rock should own.

As an fyi. Jimmy Farrar did two Hatchet records. Beatin the Odds is the only one available right now and fans of Molly Hatchet or southern rock should buy it to hear his powerful and distinctive rock voice. Hopefully, the second Farrar CD will be rereleased sometime soon.

Beatin' the Odds is just one of those albums that has remained under the radar for so long that people assume that it must be because it's not a good album...wrong. When this record first came out, it was pretty well recieved by the fans, it charted at #20, just one notch below their best charting album Flirtin' with Disaster. They were still playing to sold-out crowds, the band was tighter than ever, yet for some reason this album slipped away into rock n roll obscurity. It's now the "hidden gem" the "forgotton years" etc. etc. You never hear any of these songs on classic rock radio, which isn't saying much.

In this reviewers opinion Beatin' the Odds is every bit as good as Flirtin' with Disaster and almost as good as their debut record, which is saying alot because those are Molly Hatchet's best records, some of the best rock music there is. To make it even better Rock Candy has made this Remastered/Reloaded edition a top-notch package. From the cover art being faithfully restored full-size (one of the best covers ever--RIP F. Frazetta)to the booklet jam-packed with cool little tid-bits in an interveiw with Jimmy Farrar, to the music which has never sounded better. Then add 4 bonus tracks from a very rare 6 track live EP that was released back in the day, recorded live in Lakeland, Fl. in 1980 and you have one nice piece of Southern Rock history.

And what about the album? What can I say, it's the original line-up of Hatchet except for the vocalist Danny Joe Brown who has been replaced by Jimmy Farrar who takes over the job without skipping a beat, he fills his shoes like they were his own. As a devout Molly Hatchet fan I love DJB just as much as anyone, but I have to say Jimmy Farrar has never gotten the respect he deserves and neither has this album. Every track is a keeper, the band was on top of their game, the song-writing was still top-notch, guitar driven rock was still their priority.

1980 was a magical year for rock music and this album is part of the reason why. Buy the Rock Candy remastered edition and you won't be disappointed.

Rock Candy Records have done their usual awsome job- great sound, detailed booklet, including an interview with Jimmy Farrar. And if that is not enough- you get 4 blazing unreleased live tracks from 1980!

This album is so darn great it isn't even funny. Don't listen to the idiot reviewer "vespertin". For giving this a one star rating, he's either very stupid or has extremely bad taste in music. Farrar's voice really fits this album superbly, so don't listen to this idiot!!! I bought this just a few months after buying my first car cassette deck, and boy did I ever wear this superb southern fried rock album out!!! This was my first purchase in that category. This album feels like a greatest hits because every single song is so awesome, but some of the highlights would be "Beatin the odds", "The Rambler", "Few and far between", "Sailor", and "Penthouse Pauper". I got into these guys way before I did LYNYRD SKYNYRD, and really they're quite a bit better in my opinion. Molly Hatchets first three albums, beat Lynyrd Skynyrd's first three albums, by a long shot. I remember when this one was fighting AC/DC'S "Back in Black" on the billboard top album's list back in 1980. One week AC/DC would be number one, then the next week MOLLY HATCHET would get the number one spot, and back and forth over a couple month period. Even though their self titled debut was a masterpiece, this one is even better. If you're thinking about getting into southern rock, I would definitely start with this southern fried gem first. BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL THANK ME!!!

Back when Danny Joe Brown left Molly Hatchet to form his own band, I figured Molly Hatchet was finished. His voice was just too unique to replace. But to my surprise Jimmy Farrar filled in without a hiccup. The band stayed true to form and blasted out southern rock from every corner. I actually like this album better than "Flirtin' With Disaster" for being solid throughout.

Beatin' the Odds - Without a doubt one of my favorite Hatchet songs. The guitar work and licks just flow throughout this song. It is a rockin' salute.

Double Talker - This song is similar to "The Creeper" from their first album though with a little more tempo. More great guitar work, but a little weak.

The Rambler - This is a great slower song in the vein of "Dreams I'll Never See". Jimmy's voice really soars in this piece. One of the better songs on the album.

Sailor - A little jerky and the story doesn't really match the chorus. The guitar work isn't as catchy as others on the album.

Dead and Gone - The lyrics are bit cliche and weak here but the guitar work comes back and holds the song together. Good driving song.

Few and Far Between - Another song that sounds like it came off their debut album. Good chords and the kind of song you can crank up.

Penthouse Pauper - Another great song. Lyrics and guitars come together for a song you can listen to a bunch of times.

Get Her Back - Not a bad song but not as memorable as the others.

Poison Pen - For me, this song just doesn't work. I don't think they had a clear idea what they wanted to it kind of rambles.

This CD is a great reissue of one of Molly Hatchet's hardest-rocking albums ever. The title song is a great sports anthem, and "Dead And Gone" plies a warning that drugs will either kill you or cause you to be confined to a mental health facility. Other great songs here include "The Rambler", "Sailor", "Few And Far Between", and "Get Her Back." The fact that all of the surviving band members, past and present (Danny Joe Brown and Duane Roland, RIP), advocate sanctions against countries which falsely convict foreigners, capital punishment/life without parole for aggravated kidnapping, and increased funding for law enforcement makes BEATIN' THE ODDS an essential purchase for both your ears AND your conscience.

My good friend Mr. Farrar also sang on "Take No Prisoners", thank you very much. Buy both now and save !$!

While all of the other musicians are the same from before, vocalist Danny Joe Brown is not on this album. In my view his voice is a major factor in the success of the first two albums, which are both really excellent. If you really like the first two and like what Danny Joe Brown brings to their sound, you will most likely be disappointed with this work. Danny Joe delivered their aggressive lyrics with confidence, authority, and credibility.

Farrar's voice just doesn't fit the music. This one is only a flea's shadow in comparison with the first two albums.