Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mid 70s Hard Rock at its Best, July 12, 2002
Head East's debut album "Flat as a Pancake" had a title that poked fun of their Midwestern origins, as well as enough energy and songwriting hooks to spurn them to a decade-or-so long career. They didn't come close to repeating its success, but the fact that the album is available on CD more than a quarter of a century after its release says something about its merits. That said, the band's sound is typical mid-70s hard rock, of the kind that was being performed by contemporaries like Bad Company and Bachman Turner Overdrive. They didn't have enough of an edge to be heavy metal and actually aspired to writing a radio hit or two. Head East succeeded in their hitmaking aspirations with "Never Been any Reason," which is the perfect driving song for tooling around town in your classic Camaro. The other highlight is "Jefftown Creek," but there are no real clunkers here.Overall, a good period piece that is still quite listenable today.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Head East Rocks!, August 23, 1998
Head East was one of the most under appreciated rock groups of the 70s. The fact that they were from the midwest probably had a lot to do with it. Also, they didn't have any gimmicks - no make-up, no smashing instruments, no politically correct lyrics - they simply rocked.This cd is a classic on the strength of "Never Been Any Reason." However, it's got some other cuts well worth listening to over and over. "City of Gold/Fly By Night Lady" features terrific interplay between John Schlitt's vocals and Michael Sommerville's guitar licks, and then builds to a powerful rocking tempo flavored with crisp skin-tingling harmonies. When Head East cranks up the blues-flavored music they are at their best. This is evident on "Lovin' me along." Oddly, though, their most popular songs are those with the heaviest keyboard mixes. Some times you must get past those keyboards and listen to the guitar riffs. Though well worth the investment in time and money, unfortunately "Pancake" is easily the group's second best album. It's unfortunate because "Get Yourself Up" is not available on cd. My poor vinyl copy started to get worn out many, many years ago. I had to copy it to cassette (several times). What a treat it would be to hear those songs with the clarity of a cd - or, at least, the clarity of a new record!
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
"Head East", young man!, August 5, 2004
Flat As A Pancake, the first studio album from Head East proves that Head East is more than just "Never Been Any Reason", although that is their best known single. All of the tracks on this album are superb songs that you can't help but hit the "repeat" button on your CD player for.
Although little is known about Head East due to their brief time in the spotlight, if you have heard "Never Been Any Reason" on the radio and liked it, then pick up Flat As A Pancake.
Unlike many of the bands at the time, Head East was not a "glam" band, nor did they rely on any other kind of gimmicks or special showmanship to augment their album presence. These guys just played their music, and let it do the talking for them. While not "heavy enough" to be considered "hard rock", but not soft enough to be considered "folk rock" or "easy listening", Head East quite confortably fits into the "classic rock" category of straight rock and roll, with a slew of radio-friendly tunes that would make any radio station drool. If Heead East released Flat As A Pancake in the 90's, rather than the 70's, one would think that these guys would have achieved a much greater level of attention than they did. Every person I have ever spoken to about this album has had nothing but positive things to say about Head East, and it's just a shame that the band does not enjoy a greater level of commercial success.
Being from Chicago, I personally enjoyed discovering that the band originated here in Illinois. I also liked the album artwork, where the "pancake" theme was recurring, both on the front cover, and the inside, which features the band members eating (what else?) pancakes. It has been stated that the album title was meant to poke fun at the midwest region where the band started out, due to it being mostly flatland.
Overall, an enjoyable CD, and for a 20th Century Masters album to be put out on these guys shows that they still have an influence on music over 20 years later.
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