Customer Reviews

Close Enough for Rock-N-Roll

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

 

 

It's impossible to say which is Nazareth's best release - they're all so good - but Close Enough for Rock and Roll has a special place for me because it's THE album that got me into this truly great band. Not as heavy as their best seller Hair of the Dog, it still packs an intensity that is painfully absent from so much rock music.

If you listen to the seconds long samples of music offered here you will probably hear something akin to the standard blues influenced hard rock of the 70's, which is how Nazareth is often characterized. Listening to the whole thing from beginning to end will give you a different impression. You will hear an acoustic guitar solo (Vicki), a unique reggae influenced number (Carry Out Feelings)and a sort of mini rock opera (Telegram ,which is sort of a strange one) This variety is all unified by a consistent style - yes, I suppose it's fair to call it a blues influenced 70's hard rock thing - and made outstanding by great musicianship, meaningful and sincere lyrics and a powerful sound, both on the emotional and physical levels. Manny Charlton is an incredible guitarist, but never shows off. Lilke the rest of the band, what he plays is always in service to the song, and all the instruments come together to form Nazareth's own chemistry. But still, his leads are mind blowing, and he accompanies himself on rhythm guitar as well or better than any of the other people the band has hired for this position over the years.

After listening to Vancouver Shakedown you would think that these guys hated the place, but in fact they loved the city so much they actually lived there for a while. With romantic themes being so over-examined in rock, it's surprising that what Nazareth has to say about the subject in such songs as Your the Violin comes across so well, and anyone with half an awareness of what goes on in life should be able to relate to Lift the Lid. Overall, every song has something important to say and says it well.

Like all their albums, Close Enough for Rock and Roll has a subtlety that gradually works it's way into your consciousness after repeat listenings. And repeat listenings are what it's all about for me. I must have heard this one a thousand times and I still can't get enough of it. That's the best proof available of a disc worth owning.

Nazareth never gets the credit they deserve anymore. About 20 years ago, if you had asked me what bands I believe will be remembered strongly 20 years later, I probably would have said Nazareth. Seriously, they deserve their spot in rock 'n roll history the same way Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy have been given their fair share of credit.

It's like "Hair of the Dog" and "Love Hurts" are the ONLY things people wanna associate with Nazareth anymore! That's absolutely INSANE!

This is a band that made *albums* worth of consistently great material. Whether you wanna call it pop rock, pop metal, or what have you- the fact remains Nazareth were, at least throughout the 70's, GREAT songwriters. I'd take this band over KISS for example ANY day.

Anyway, with the mid 70's approaching, the sound of Nazareth has begun to change, but only slightly. The great songwriting has remained, the distinctive voice of the lead singer is still firmly intact, and the albums are still fantastic from start to finish.

"Telegram" seriously sounds like a MAJOR influence to the upcoming 80's glam metal scene. I can't believe this song came out in the mid 70's. The one thing that immediately separates it from your typical metal tune is the build-up in great lyrics and bass guitar. "F.M station soundin' good, and gettin' better every mile". That's a great line. Too bad radio stinks these days, har har.

"Homesick Again" is most noticeable for that fantastic verse melody. I absolutely LOVE it. "Vancouver Shakedown" has a really good bluesy feel to it, and what enhances the experience are, again, the catchy and exciting vocal melody. "Carry Out Feelings" is a nice pop song with a chorus that actually came to me out of nowhere in the shower a couple weeks ago.

I just wish Nazareth was considered one of the best rock bands of the 70's.

4 Stars = Classic

My first Nazareth record I bought was in 1976, "Close Enough For Rock n' Roll," which I loved at the time & still do, especially, "Telegram: On Your Way / So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star / Sound Check / Here We Are Again," a melody that starts off the record. I love their short (very short) cover of the Who's, "So You Want to be a Rock & Roll Star, & the guitar solo there." Telegram is a great song(s) about life on the road as any, or air; "747 flies up high/Much higher then we're meant to be," is as true as statement as there ever was."Vicky" the second song is just a beautiful acoustic instrumental, almost Led Zeppelin-ish. "Home Sick Again" is another ode to life on the road & missing those you love. "Vancouver Shake Down" is a rollicking tune about the perils of getting busted on the road. `Born under the Wrong Sign" is funky & rocking, one of my faves of the album. "Loretta" rocks with its story about lusting after a magazine model. I can relate! LOL! "Carry out Feelings" is about unrequited love & has a touch of reggae to its rhythm. "Lift the Lid," rocks to some great guitar lines. "You're the Violin," is another rocker about the uses & abuses of relationships."

Over all "Close Enough for Rock & Roll," is not the hardest rocking document from 1976 (or Nazareth), but it's a sincere & valid effort at a little diversity, with hooks & melodies to spare, & really, not a bad song on the album, but not a masterpiece as a whole, but "Close Enough for Rock n' Roll" is just that. Good enough for me.

Just a tidbit of info.....

In regards to the reviewer who swears this is not the follow-up to "Hair of The Dog"-believe me, it IS the follow-up! I owned this on cassette tape way back-the release date (if you check closely) is 1976. "Hair of The Dog" was released in 1975.

I had this album when I was in my teens lost it and craved for it for years found it again and still to this day I love it just as much excellent excellent Album

For anyone who has heard 'This flight tonight' on classic rock radio, and wondered about the subdued, minimalist, but quite awesome guitar lead, well, there's a song on here that tops it...Born Under the Wrong Sign.

It starts with a bass riff lifted directly from the Ojay's 'For the love of money', before the band joins joins in on a dark,midtempo, almost menacing funk beat (hey look, the cowbell's back). Not metal, mostly clean, but the lead...

You almost have to strain to hear it. It sneaks, in never overpowering the song. But, the feeling and emotion it provokes is spot on perfect. And minimal...if the guitar player had inserted maybe 2 less notes, it woulda tied w/ Cinnanom Girl, for the most minimal guitar lead of all time. And before you know it, it's gone, fading off in the distance. Awesome.

So, some Scot dude from the 70s shows everyone that you don't have to be a thrasher to write a perfect solo...and the world ignores it. Oh well, C'est la vie.

The only ones who DON'T like this one is the neighbors! Play this CD at max volume for the full effect! I'm pleased!

CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ROCK & ROLL is a great follow-up to HAIR OF THE DOG. It's not quite on the same level, but it's a wonderful album in its own right. The best track is "Lift The Lid", but there are other good songs here, too. If you loved HAIR OF THE DOG or GREATEST HITS, you'll really like this one, too.