To the Hilt [Import]

Golden Earring | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Polygram Int'l
• ASIN: B0000070JB
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,128,097 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Why Me?

2. Facedancer

3. To the Hilt

4. Nomad

5. Sleepwalkin'

6. Latin Lightning

7. Violins

Editorial Reviews

Import remastered reissue of the long running Dutch rock act's 1975 album that's out-of-print domestically. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated gem!, October 23, 2002

By 

Three Chord Wonder (Holland and Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To the Hilt (Audio CD)

Golden Earring have their share of great and not so great albums in their long discography, but this one is one of my alltime favourite albums by any band. Far as I know, it followed 'Moontan' which was a perfect seventies rock album (and I don't use that term lightly), but is a stylistic departure after that hit album, taking the intensity level down a notch in favour of a slightly more relaxed sound - not so much in pace or playing, but in atmosphere.

I can see why this album didn't do as well as its illustrious predecessor in the commercial arena, being as mentioned not as straightforward mainstream in it's sound, but on the other hand that 'weakness' is its strength. Featuring more clean guitar work and adding Moog sounds, plus some extra violins and saxophone etc to flesh out the atmosphere, there's a consistent 'feel' to the album that I haven't heard anywhere else - a kind of night-time ambience. In places it's almost like seventies jazz meeting seventies rock. The only other album I can compare it to in that regard is The Strangler's 'Feline', which also is a unique sounding album with a beautiful night-time aura around it.

It still features a instantly catchy hit single in the classic 'Sleepwalking', but the rest of the tracks offer more depth and need a few listens to sink in. After the initial familiarization, it repays you handsomely by being an album you can return to time and again without getting bored. It's also worth listening to on headphones - especially while working late at night - it's that beautiful atmosphere, great drum sound, and allround room-filling warmth of the record. Even when the band is going off, it still somehow sounds relaxed and free flowing. And apart from anything else, the sheer quality of the musicianship displayed here is a joy to listen to - you can tell they were really hitting their stride in terms of effortlessly working off each other, the way the Experience, Byrds, Eagles, Deep Purple etc did in their prime.

This is one to put on whenever you get bored with the rest of your album collection. If they'd been an American or UK band, this album would be one of those period classics for the afficionados.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album!!, February 9, 2005

By 

Nathan Laney (Northern Cambria, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To the Hilt (Audio CD)

I've always thought that this was a great album! I was going Golden Earring nuts at around the turn of the 80's after hearing the "Moontan" album. All I knew before that was the edited version of "Radar Love" and its b-side, "Just Like Vince Taylor." (Great song!!!) Their albums were getting a little difficult to get, but I was keeping my eyes peeled for any of them. Their mid 70's stuff seemed to be allowed to go out of print quickly.
When I played this album, I was not one bit surprised to have another great Earring album in my collection. George, Rinus and Cesar had some great rhythms going on this album. "Why Me" is a solid, exciting opening tune. I love the rhythm guitar in this one! "Facedancer" has an incredibly cool acoustic guitar riff at the beginning along with simple percussion (sounds almost like someone tapping on an acoustic guitar). Once everything kicks in, an electric guitar takes over the riff and some fantastic drumming ensues. What I find most striking in "To the Hilt" is the lyrics. "Nomad" is my least favorite track, but again, it starts with a really cool set of chords along with a really hooky rhythm (It makes it hard to stop listening). "Sleepwalking" was always one of my two favorite cuts from this album. After the lines: "Across the bridge/Around the poop/A fire escape/Won't hesitate," there's a pause, and then some of the best drumming I've ever heard starts up. I don't know how to describe it except to say that it sounds as though the drums are stuttering, and he wraps them around the timing of the rhythm beautifully. It's really masterfully done! Again, very cool chords on the rhythm. Very solid, fabulous track!!! Another of my two favorite tracks, "Latin Lightning" starts with some great chords that hook you immediately. After they sing: "You'll be in a daze all night just watchin' latin lightning," they settle in to a really great rhythm and play on it a bit. They neither go overboard with its length, nor play the section too heavily. Extremely well done! "Violins" opens, yet again, with a great, irresistible rhythm guitar that really has a great groove. After the line: "Listen to the screech repeatin'/Watch the flags go slack," the music pauses and a set of 4 really neat e-chord variations start, first on the guitar, then the bass, then the drums come in, keyboard, and then violins! Lots of 'em! I like the lyrics throughout the album also.
Great album!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This Golden Earring should be in your music library!, June 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: To the Hilt (Audio CD)

This band is know for "Radar Love" and "Twilight Zone", but those are just the tip of the iceberg. It sounds cliche, but this really is one of the most under-rated bands around. I first heard "To The Hilt" in the late 70s, and I wondered why these guys weren't as popular as Pink Floyd or Queen. The closing track "Violins" has stayed with me to this day. Enjoy this CD!