Customer Reviews

Scorching Beauty

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

 

 

Reviews I've been reading on this obscure little gem have been either high praise or blackest hatred. The truth is more in between.

Granted, Scorching Beauty is not as outstanding as IB's classic Ingle years-- my personal favorite is their debut, Heavy-- but it's not a total waste of money, either. I think what will make or break the album for most people is Erik Braunn's high-pitched, and at times trembling, vocals. You'll either like it or not, it is what it is. But before you give up, listen again. The music itself is top-flight 70's era arena rock, fuzzy guitars, machine-gun drumming, etc. Track highlights include the cock-rock stomp of "Am I Down", the shuffle-boogie of "People of the World" and the very Yes-like "Pearly Gates" (it's even co-written by Jon Anderson!) This last song in particular is a clever jab at war mongers who, as they try to get into heaven, are turned away.

The opener, the Styx-like "1975 Overture" seems slow and dull at first, but gets better with repeated listening. Really cool, spaced out keyboards. I do agree that "Searching Circles" is terrible. Not even more conventional singing could save that one. But, hey, the rest of the album is not bad, and though Doug's vocals and writing are missed, and the style of the band changed drasticly from the preceding album, we have a good, fun album that does grow on us with each listening.

And, for fans of the classic stuff, there's still some great, droning organ playing here, too, perfomed by the fantastic Howard Reitzes. So, if you're thinking about exploring this odd era of Iron Butterfly, I'd say, Yeah, do it. There's worse places you could spend your money.

This album isn't as terrible as people may say. But, I wouldn't go out and pay a big import price to get it. I have this one on vinyl myself. The problem with the later Butterfly is that Eric Brann's vocals are lacking and weak. Personally, I prefer sun and steel to this one.

I bought a cutout version of this at a record collector's show, just to complete the collection.

The 2 dollars I paid for it was about a dollar and ninety nine cents too much!

There ARE one or two songs on this album that come dangerously close to being good.

But, man oh man, the rest? Hold your nose and open all the windows; Something bad is in the air, and the dog didn't do it this time.

There is one outstandingly bad track on this LP called 'Searchin' Circles', which actually makes the album worth owning. The vocals on it take on this 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' quality, making the song unintentionally hillarious to listen to. It's straight out of Doctor Demento's 'Audio Torture Vault.' In fact, if I ever hosted a 'Bad Music' program, 'Searchin Circles' would absolutely be the theme.

Hope this helps!

I agree with previous reviewers, this album is just bad. The production of the album is awful. I'd have to say its was one step above sounding like it was recorded off a boombox in the corner of the room.

Right out of the gate you cringe. "1975 Overture" qualifies as downright torture. The keyboard work and Erik's voice... the whole song just doesn't work. The rest of the album is a little more bearible to listen to but not much. Only two songs provide minor relief from this abysmal effort. "High on a Mountain Top" and "Am I down" show a little musicianship without the band trying to hard to reclaim its 1960's heritage.

I hate to say it, but if Amazon offered a zero star rating I'd have to give it that. This album just is a waste of $$$. If you are a die-hard Iron Butterfly fan, then purchase it, but listen on a empty stomach - it may cause nausea.

If you want to hear the Braunn Butterfly on a much better release - purchase "Sun & Steel." That album works much better and the production is there.

To make this review short and sweet, vocalization has never been the Butterfly's strong suit; and this CD epitomizes that fact! As incoherently poor as Doug Ingle's vocals were, they were far superior to that of Erik Braunn's. With Doug nowhere in sight (or sound) on this CD, Erik would have done the Butterfly well if he kept his mouth completely shut! If you like the combination of high-pitch, raspiness, ultra-quivering with sore throatedness all in one voice, then I highly recommend this CD!

An obvious attempt at cashing in on the name of a once proud, creative ,interesting classic American psych band. Doug Ingle,always the lead singer/principal songwriter is absent entirely leaving those duties in the incapable hands (mostly) of guitarist Erik Braun. What do we get, horrible vocals, occassinal out of tune guitar and the most laughably bad songs ever written (Check out "Searchin'Circles"). Sounds nothing like Iron Butterfly; more like a talentless hippie kid Deadhead wannabee concoction.Possibly one of the worst records ever made.

No matter how you review this Cd you have to say that Eric was and will always be a pioneer of guitar. Maybe some of the songs here are different than what Butterfly fans are used to but one thing is for sure, its Eric back at the axe. Man give this guy credit, he came into music when people weren't even taking the chances that he took on guitar. He set a alot of standards for players coming up and it is such a shame that he is already gone from us. Wherever your at Eric I know you are playing your a-- off, God Bless you for your contributions to Rock N Roll.

I can fully understand the bad reviews given about S. Beauty. (not as bad a 1 or 0 stars) Eric Bruann's songs here may not be the best, but his voice & guitarmanship is worthy of hearing. The cd to buy from this area of IB (74-75) is clearly Sun & Steel, a very good cd that contains 2 of the best IB songs I ever heard: "Beyond The Milky Way" & "Watch The World Goin' By".

Erik Braunn and Doug Ingle always had fights about who was the most important member in the band. With Ingle gone, this album shows you who was right. Ingle was gone by the time of this release and Braunn and the rest of the band was just trying to benefit from the name. This is just a waste of money. By the way, Sun And Steel was just as bad.

The reviews of this disc are all over the musical map....But , that is the pleasure of music. Listen to it , and determine your own opinion. I , for one , like the explorations initiated on this album. "In the Garden of Eden" was far behind them , and they were trying to expand their sound. In that context , it is a rather enjoyable album.