Customer Reviews

Strikes

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I just received 'Strikes' along with 'Tomcattin'' and 'Marauder' in the mail today and I'm absolutely reeling from the effects of the first. I cranked 'Road Fever' and went from standing with my hands at my hips in cautious expectation to arching my back and grinding my air-guitar in the space of three seconds. 'Strikes' is insanely loaded with a potential so dangerous that it should soon become apparent to you that there's a cobra's head on the cover for no small reason. The venom is spat hard at you but when it hits, it is sweet ambrosia. As an album, 'Strikes' runs the spectrum from fast and nasty to spiritual and deep although its sound and feel never dares to stray from the hard rock base on which it is planted. Now, there are those who would try to pigeonhole this as countrified Southern hard rock in the Lynyrd Skynyrd 'Nuthin' Fancy' album style. I disagree - Blackfoot are a generic sound genre and must be heard to be believed. Mr Medlocke and his unsung crew are undeserving back-seaters in rock's gallery of heroes. Sure, there could be a bit of Montrose in there if you stretch your imagination a little but this band is out of this world. I'm extremely surprised that I got this far in life (25.5 years and having discovered the likes of Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, ZZ Top, ARS and co. aeons before) only to have found this band by way of linking on the 'Customers who bought this also bought ______' box while reading up on a ZZ Top album I'd wrongly thought I'd missed. These guys rock harder than any genuine rock outfit I've ever heard in my life! 'Strikes' has struck fast and it has struck hard at me; now I'm going to have to redraw my mental map of rock and roll.

This album from the first chords of "Road Fever" to the fading out of "Highway Song" is nothing short of a southern fried masterpiece. To me Blackfoot is probably the most underated and often unknown bands there is. Ricky, Charlie, Jackson, and Greg do nothing but rock, rock, rock. They are noted, on this album, mostly for "Train, Train" and "Highway Song" but the rest of the album is straight forward rock and roll. A classic!

This is one of the finest Southern Rock albums ever. Songs like Train, Train and Highway Song are just as good if not better than any song any other Southern Rock band sung. But there is more on here than just those two songs, the classic and probably the best on here is Left Turn On A Red Light, not to sure what that really means but it's awesome anyway. Ricky Medlocke and Co. are at the top of their game here and the winning streak continues with Tomcattin'.

"Strikes" is Blackfoot's most famous release mainly due to one song.."Highway Song". While the album is very good, it is not Blackfoot's best..not even their second or third best! "Tomcattin'", "Marauder" and "Siogo" all rate as Five Star releases, because these were when the band found it's sound and delivered uncompromising rock records. This is not to say that "Strikes" is not a good album..it is very good..but the band had not quite fine-tuned their sound to what true fans loved.

Standout tracks are "Road Fever" with it's great hook and backing vocals, "I Got A Line On You"..borrowed, but excellent with Rick's howl treatment.., "Train, Train" with the Shorty Medlocke harmonica intro...Shorty's intros became a staple to later releases and his spoken parts were fun to listen to.., and "Highway Song", which is a great road anthem...Skynrd did not invent, nor have exclusive rights to the slow boiling anthem that cuts loose at the end, as one reviewer suggests...and a true classic. The overall strength of this album is the band itself and their treatment of some borrowed tunes, along with a few original, classic Blackfoot tunes. This is not the best of their catalogue,but it still rocks and is a worthy addition to any collector's set. If it were an option I'd give it 4.5 Stars.

OK, kids. Here we have Rattlesnake Rick Medlocke making his first foray into the big time, and what a show he puts on!

What a freakin entrance! This album shows absolutely everything that this genre has to give. If any of you want to learn anything about southern rock, buy this CD.

This is the evolution that Duane Allman would have wanted.

I won't bore you with a track list, but just know that this is what you've been waiting for. It'll scratch your itch.

i just completed a top ten list of my favorite albums for a community radio station and realized that this was one. i answered with the idea that these would be the only ten albums i could carry with me to eternity. my selections were diverse, but the most common thread was that several of these albums gave me comfort while i was growing up in jacksonville, florida. i lived there from 1966 to 1981 and it is arguably the birthplace of southern rock and roll. some from macon might disagree ;) anyway, if i knew i was going somewhere for a long time and i could only bring ten albums, this one would definitely make the cut. and yes, i also listed allman bros (#1) and lynyrd skynyrd (#10). ricky medlocke has real soul and he's a real nice guy too.

Dude, around '79 we were rockin' to this stuff while runnin' from the Law in my '66 Mustang! Man, from the opening track "Road Fever" to their "Freebird" "Highway Song", this cd kicks A! With our funny cigarettes and a little Jack D., we we rednecks for a while and could rule the world! Check out "I Got A Line.." & "Baby Blue"! Also, you can hear a little Skynyrd here as Ricky Medlock was an original member. Chester, there's not a throw-back on this whole cd! Rock On!...Gentleman Jack!

Outstanding!! Bought this album in 1980, and I have played it to death..

Simply one of the all time greats..

Saw this group TWICE on this album tour. EXCELLENT. Wore the album out. Have the CD, a must have for true southern rockers.

If you're into hard driving Southern Rock, then this album is for you. This album gives insight on the new Skynyrd sound (because Rickey Medlocke is now with Skynyrd), as well as providing a head banging good time for the listener. This album makes for good morning music if you're tired. BLACKFOOT WILL WAKE YOU UP!