Customer Reviews

In Deep

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

 

 

The strongest tracks on this album are at the front, and all are Russ Ballard compositions: 'God gave Rock and Roll to you' and 'It's only money' parts 1 and 2. The latter two are surprisingly heavy! The first and third tracks were released as singles, at least in the UK.

1973 was just before the synthesizer became prevalent. But Rod Argent's organ sounds superb. If you come with say, Jon Lord's organ on Deep Purple In Rock, it's fascinating to hear what was possible on this instrument. And compare that with Hugh Banton's bass pedal work for Van Der Graaf. Given that there is no synth on this album, it's slightly surprising that not too long after this album, Rod Argent opened a keyboards/synths shop on London's Charing Cross Road, which was still there when I last looked.

But really the group should be called 'Ballard' rather than 'Argent'. Russ Ballard went on to write songs for more mainstream pop artists.

And the rhythm section of Messrs Henrit and Rodford put in a driving impetus behind all the great songs. Buy this album, and let the first three tracks surprise you!

Sony Japan has just released the entire Argent Epic Records seven-disc catalog ("Counterpoints" was on a different label) in remastered, mini-LP sleeve format.

The 2008 Sony DSD-processed remastering trumps all previous releases, including the BGO, Edsel, Koch & Acadia-label CD's, not to mention the pathetic-sounding Collectables and Wounded Bird discs.

It is wonderful to finally have the primary Argent repertoire in dynamically-matched sound, as all the different releases (from the plethora of labels mentioned above) had varying audio levels, not to mention quality.

And, as always, the `sleeves themselves are fabulous, all being faithful replicas of the original gatefold LP record covers (except for "Nexus", which was a single-pocket LP design).

Unfortunately, however, Sony did not include two non-album tracks, "Kingdom", and "Closer To Heaven", which appeared on the "All Together Now" 2001-Koch & 2007-Acadia releases.

Curiously, though, Koch & Acadia also included as "bonus" tracks, songs that originally belonged to other Argent albums. These all appear in their proper place on the 2008 Japan releases.

Here are the links to the 2008 `sleeves:

Argent
Ring Of Hands
All Together Now
In Deep
Nexus
Encore
Circus

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

This is a great album with a very definitive sound.

Sony Japan has just released the entire Argent Epic Records seven-disc catalog ("Counterpoints" was on a different label) in remastered, mini-LP sleeve format.

The 2008 Sony DSD-processed remastering trumps all previous releases, including the BGO, Edsel, Koch & Acadia-label CD's, not to mention the pathetic-sounding Collectables and Wounded Bird discs.

It is wonderful to finally have the primary Argent repertoire in dynamically-matched sound, as all the different releases (from the plethora of labels mentioned above) had varying audio levels, not to mention quality.

And, as always, the `sleeves themselves are fabulous, all being faithful replicas of the original gatefold LP record covers (except for "Nexus", which was a single-pocket LP design).

Unfortunately, however, Sony did not include two non-album tracks, "Kingdom", and "Closer To Heaven", which appeared on the "All Together Now" 2001-Koch & 2007-Acadia releases.

Curiously, though, Koch & Acadia also included as "bonus" tracks, songs that originally belonged to other Argent albums. These all appear in their proper place on the 2008 Japan releases.

Here are the links to the 2008 `sleeves:

Argent
Ring Of Hands
All Together Now
In Deep
Nexus
Encore
Circus

WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?

Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.

Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.

Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.

Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.

All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs.

I still own the Quad release of the LP. I remember it as an awesome experience. Unfortunately I no longer own the quad amp or turntable. May just have to break down and buy the CD. Would love to see a surround mix for this one. I won't hold my breath.

This greatest rare music from my youth

Just in case you never heard of this group, ARGENT consisted of ROD ARGENT, who had played with the ZOMBIES, on keyboards and vocals..RUSS BALLARD, who would go on to have alot of his songs made popular by groups like RAINBOW, ACE FREHLEY and AMERICA, on vocals and guitar...and bassist JIM RODFORD and drummer BOB HENRIT, who would later become the rhythm section for THE KINKS.

ARGENT were a prog rock band that centered around the keyboard talents of ROD ARGENT and the strong songwriting of ROD and RUSS. RUSS wasn't much in the way of a lead guitarist, but he had a great, tenor singing voice and a love of power chords.

IN DEEP, their fourth album, was their heaviest album..but also their funniest. My favorite songs are IT'S ONLY MONEY, PARTS 1 and 2...and the try-to-be scary prog rocker BE GLAD. The first part of IT'S ONLY MONEY may be the best song BALLARD ever wrote..it's a very dangerous sounding and heavy prog rocker with some very solid drumming and a very catchy, cool guitar riff. In contrast, IT'S ONLY MONEY, PART 2 is an upbeat and rather funny song! The whole band sounds like they're having a party on this song...my favorite part may be BALLARD's little guitar jam before the vocal part that ends the song. BE GLAD has Rod Argent going back and forth between his piano and his organ and while this song tries too hard to be EVIL AND SINISTER, it's still an enjoyable song with some terrific keyboard solos and some nice guitar riffing. LOSING HOLD is another strong track, tho' it's a tad on the downbeat side..to say the very most!
The album ends with what I think is it's weakest track, the barroom rock-n-roller ROSIE, tho' JIM RODFORD was quite proud of his "GET ON WIV IT!"

SWIM BOY THUNDER...SWIM!

Argent's schizoid tendencies really started to flare up on "In Deep." You've got Russ Ballard's hard-rock screamers trying to peacefully co-exist with Rod Argent's more proggier epics. The two different approaches actually work well together on the classic "God Gave Rock n' Roll To You" but on the rest of the tracks, you either love 'em or you hate 'em. Ballard rocks out on the overly long "It's Only Money Pt. I & II" while Argent does his best Keith Emmerson impersonation on "Be Glad." After Argent's prog-leaning follow-up, "Nexus," Ballard split for a solo career. The only head-scratcher on this CD reissue is why they included "Hold Your Head Up" as a bonus cut. That track originally appeared on the previous "All Together Now" album. (Note to Collectables: Although we appreciate your reissuing the Argent catalog, why the cheesey, lame inserts? Why not include the art work and photos from the original album sleeves?)