2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rooster's finale, April 29, 2002
This review is from: Headline News (Audio CD)
Although "Headline News" is an Atomic Rooster album, and the last studio one, some fans consider it more of a Vincent Crane solo album. But that's not really important; call it what you will. What is important is the music. Here Crane goes for a largely electronic recording; lots of synths and flourishes. So the overall sound as well as more than a few of the lyrics bears little in common with Rooster's previous work. That's a good thing, as the late Crane was in search of new and exciting directions in which to take his artistry. The songs are excellent, especially "Hold Your Fire', 'Time', 'Dance Of Death' and 'Metal Minds'-- four absolute Rooster classics. The atmosphere on the album is all it's own, and is best listened to late at night where the meanings of the songs hit most forcefully; at any rate, "Headline News" is not meant for background music. This cd demands attentive listening, and is best appreciated using headphones.
One common complaint is the less than perfect sound quality - "Headline News" was a low budget production and it has always sounded this way, it's not an issue with the cd mastering.(So this is a must-have cd for any Atomic Rooster collection, as well as just a great album for any serious music fan. If this is your first Rooster purchase, follow it up with the superb 2-cd set "Heavy Soul", which compiles Rooster's '70's material, and the reissue of the 1980 album "Atomic Rooster". There's much more, but these make a definitive Rooster collection.
But back to "Headline News". John Du Cann was not involved with this album, while Paul Hammond was, along with various guests including Crane's very talented wife Jeannie and David Gilmour. (Of course, the final Atomic Rooster guitarist extraordinaire Bernie Tormé is here.) Du Cann's absence goes a long way in explaining why the album is often viewed somewhat dismissively or referred to as a Crane solo album. This release certainly was Vincent Crane's vision, his late career masterpiece, and his final real statement.
As such, "Headline News" may very well be the truest of all Atomic Rooster albums.
Highly recommended.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Atomic Rooster - 'Headline News' (Blueprint) 3 1/2 stars, June 14, 2006
This review is from: Headline News (Audio CD)
Originally released in 1983, as this was Atomic Rooster's last studio album. Some say that in reality, it's a solo effort by organist / group founder Vincent Crane. Either way, the music here is good, plus I also thought it was solid. Totally holds it's ground. Might not be 'as good' as some of Rooster's earlier works, but it's still a nice pick. Tracks I was digging the most were the title cut "Headline News", "Dance Of Death", "Future Shock" and the hard-hitting "Watch Out!". Overall, a decent heavy rock reissue.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
the rooster crows again, October 13, 2010
Well worth the wait,I knew this recording was out there but it's been impossible to find for 30 years. I bought many bogus Rooster compilations thinking I was on the right track and ended up buying different versions of the "Chicken Meltdown" and the self titled "Atomic Rooster" which are the same, and the mess called "Homework" which sounds like a John DuCann solo album. The whole time thinking I was getting the final Rooster masterpiece that Vincent Crane recorded. Well it's here now, "Headline News" is a real Vincent Crane creation with the returning Paul Hammond playing drums on every track, and a special guest list of guitar stars including Dave Gilmour, Bernie Torme & John Mizarolli. The songs are good and Crane's playing is great and haunting in some spots, he was definitely on a creative high. The only complaint is the dated production, has a very 80's new wave type sound that kind of weakens the impact. If you need to boost your Rooster collection and need some more this will do, a real fan will love this for Crane's final bow, not reccomended for first timers.
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