Customer Reviews

Thank Christ for the Bomb

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To me, this is the start of the Groundhogs heavy period, culminating with Who Will Save The World. The cuts are heavily steeped in the blues but have an edge to them. My favorite cut was a song John Peel played a lot on his radio show (this from the liner notes and not personal knowledge) and that is Soldier. I see this album cover and automatically think of that song.

Tony, Pete, and Ken really rock! Highly recommended.

The Groundhogs are usually categorized as a blues-based rock trio but there is no blues on this album! The songs are totally original, melodic yet rocking with fantastic playing by all three with Tony McPhee's guitar playing the highlight. I particularly like the very British-ness of the music and in this it almost resembles early Wishbone Ash though it is totally different in style. This is the best Groundhog's album I've heard, though I admit I haven't listened to them all.

Having listened to the Groundhogs for twenty some years I feel qualified to say that this recording represents some of thier finest work. Tony Mcphee and co. present a collection of songs that utilize sarcasm, irony, and historic interpretation to create a dramatic social commentary on various topics. Especially on how governments can influence citizens to lay down thier lives in the name of patriotism, when what they are really doing is pure and simple manipulation of innocent people for thier own personal and selfish gains. It also speaks of trust and the caution that should be exercised when one person decides to trust another. The musical arrangements are typically unorthodox and uniquely original.And excellent.The musicianship is outstanding as is the norm for this group. Tony Mcphee deserves the accolades that other so called "superbands" receive regularly. This recording is "intellectual" which is probably why its value evades the minds of most rock fans. Mcphee is the "genuine" article when it comes to Hard Rock through his compositions, arrangements and musicianship. Anyone claiming to be a fan of hard rock music that is not familiar with this material is just fooling themselves. This is essential listening for anyone who appreciates excellence in this genre.

The Groundhogs were the best blues band to ever come out of Britain.They had supported numerous American bluesmen (these included Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter & John Lee Hooker) on their UK tours during the two blues booms of the '60's. By 1969 the 'hogs guitarist Tony TS McPhee realised that the public's appetite for 12 bar blues was waning. In 1969 the Groundhogs released "Blues Obituary" which marked the end of an era. This was followed in 1970 by "Thank Christ for the Bomb". Recording for the first time with an eight track machine allowed McPhee the opportunity to produce a mutli-layered sound. As producer/composer/lyricist/guitarist & singer his influence is stamped right across this extraordinary work. The title track is simply magnificent & the solo on "Garden" is out of this world. The 'hogs then released the classic "Split" in 1971. "Thank Christ" & "Split" are the pinnacles of an exceptional talent & milestones in the history of rock.

Split may be the best known album by the Groundhogs; an unknown early 1970s British Blues rock combo more people should be aware of.

But Thank Christ For The Bomb is definately the better of the two. The Hogs use the same mutated blusey stuctures, but the songs here are tighter. Where on Split the band exceeded their grasp, just a little bit, by trying to make a more "progressive" album, they make a better conceptual statement here using taunt numbers and sharper playing. They actually are more progressive when not trying to be

All of this band's work is interesting and I encourge fans of 1960s rock to collect the who distography, the same way they might collect Nick Drake, Savoy Brown, Denny-Thomson Fairport Convention, or any underexposed band that a serious music efficinato should have in the library.

But if you are just starting out with the Groundhogs or if you just want one of their albums, this is it.

Although their more blues based work on their earlier records is still great, TCFTB moves The Hogs to a hard edged progressive guitar rock style, and advanced songwriting. It's kind of like Fleetwood Mac on Then Play On, only heavier and more hard rockin' . Every cut is a gem, my favorites are "Strange Town", "Eccentric Man", and the beautiful "Garden" that features a great progression that a group could jam on for eons. Essential.

I love the title and the cover and the music is just fine good combination of rock and blues.