Customer Reviews

Thunderbox

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This incredible album was, for me, the pinnacle of Humble Pie's career. A clean crisp production coupled with Steve Marriot's voice at the top of his game makes for a true masterpiece of 70's blues rock. There's not a weak track on the record. From the moment it starts with the powerful "Thunderbox" until the end with "Oh La De Da", the album motors through with emotion, grace and swagger. While the boys do a few interesting covers on this record, like "Can't Stand the Rain", "Drift Away" and "No Money Down", it's the originals, like "Every Single Day", Ninety-Nine Pounds", "Rally with Ali" "No Way" and the aforementioned "Thunderbox" that really make the album move. "Groovin with Jesus" and "Dont Worry, Be Happy" are two other funky tunes that seem to jam on the same backbeat. One almost seems like a reprise of the other.

Overall, if you are interested in picking up a great, well produced and fun effort by the Pie, you can not go wrong with this collection.

This is actually the 2nd best Pie album, second only to the "Smokin" LP, & quite a return to form after the mediocre "Eat It" album. Marriott sangs (not sings) his ass off. Cuts like Thunderbox, No Way, Rally with Ali, Oh La De Dah showcase Marriott's vocal prowess. Guitar work by Steve & Clem is also outstanding. Get ready to be rocked!!

This album is usually lowly-regarded by critics, but they could not be more wrong. Most of the songs are great. Ninety pounds is one of my favorites Pie songs and I Can't stand the rain has one of the most soulful lead vocals in all of rock n roll. Anna is a great ballad and Drift Away is an excellent cover (sung by Greg Ridley). Other highlights include: the fine rockers Thunderbox, No Way, Every Single Day and Oh La De Da. The only songs I do not care much for are Groovin with Jesus and Don't Worry, Be Happy, since they are too funky for my taste.

If you like the Black Crowes you will love this album, and other Pie albums such as Smokin', Rock On, As Safe As Yesterday Is and Town & Country. The main influence of the Black Crowes is Humble Pie, much more than other influences commonly mentioned (Rolling Stones, Faces).

i saw Humble Pie for the third time when this album was released. they had let go of the blackberries by then and returned to rockin' out. Steve marriott will always be entrenched in my mind as the greatest soul/blues/rock singer of our time and his sad demise was so untimely. this album holds special memories for me. the hottest tunes are of course the title hit "Thunderbox' and the Pie's rendition of 'drift away' i haven't had the album in years, since the days of vinyl and the woman on the tub was steve's wife jenny. the only tune i really did not care for was "rally with ali' but other than that its a kicker!

ONE OF HUMBLE'S BEST ALBUMS, EVERY TRACK IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE AWESOME SHM AUDIO FORMAT. MUST HAVE FOR ANY CD COLLECTION, BUT DON'T PAY THESE RIDICULOUS OVER-INFLATED PRICES, I BOUGHT MINE FROM THE MUSIC SPECIALIST ON E BAY, THEY ALSO HAVE A STORE IN GEMM, ANTEATERMUSIC. SAVE YOURSELF A TON OF CASH.
CHEERS!

If you are a casual fan, ignore these reviews: buy Smokin', Fillmore and Biscuit.

I read these reviews and I want to hurl. 2nd best HP release? Let's see: what's first? In my list, it's the 3 above. Then Safe and Rock On, that's 5. Eat it has Say No More. I like cuts on Town and HP. How can this be number 2 on anyone's list? I love Marriott but get a grip! When the band toured in 73-75 how many cuts from this did they play? One: Thunderbox. And can any really who hasn't taken too much dope listen to Rally with Ali?

Here's a voting of HP releases from a poll of fans in 2009:

1. Rocking the Fillmore 103

2. King Biscuit Flower Hour 100

3. Eat It 96

4. Smokin 95

5. Rock On 82

6. As Safe as yesterday 76

7. Town & Country 72

8. Humble Pie 64

9. Scrubbers 50

9. Thunderbox 50

11. Street Rats 28

12. Running With the Pack 22


As Stan Lee always ended: 'Nuff said!

With the exception of a lackluster version of "Drift Away" -- to describe it as "plaintive" does it too much justice -- this is a fine import CD from Japan. (I expected a U.K. import.) The late Steve Marriott is in fine form belting out some heartfelt blues and tunes that hold up extremely well.
It's a shame the CD package doesn't capture the lost art of the clever original album cover.
The music more than makes up for that lost nostalgia.
I'd waited for this release and my patience was rewarded.

After their first two albums, Humble Pie served up the masterful, self-titled "Humble Pie" [1970] as they had found an identity and their own distinctive sound. They only got better with each subsequent release leading up to "Thunderbox" [1974]. Thunderbox is a fantastic sounding, hard-rocking piece of 'The Pie'. Every song is vintage 'Pie' and they're playing/singing their butts off. This album is a classic that should be a part of YOUR collection if you're into pure, unadulterated hard rock along with soulful singing. Don't pass on this one!! Peace

This review is of the 2006 pressing by Universal Japan. It comes in a standard jewel case that includes a foldout with the album art. There is also a separate foldout that includes both the Japanese and English lyrics. This is the first time "Thunderbox" has been put out on CD; however, this edition isn't remastered. In spite of that, the sound is absolutely fantastic. Give it a listen until we're lucky enough to get this classic the proper remastering it deserves. C'mon, Universal!!

Humble Pie! One of the greatest,and yet,most underrated British rock groups of the late sixties and seventies.The likes of Steve Marriott,Clem Clempson,Gregg Ridley,and Jerry Shirley combined to make an explosive ensemble of hard rocking blues soul music,the likes of which have few equals in music history.

This album was the second to the last official Humble Pie album of the seventies.The post humous "Street Rats",really a combination of outtakes and demo's would be released in 1975,to cash in on one last hurrah.

However,Thunderbox,would be the true last humble Pie album.
(The two early eighties reformed Humble Pie CD's were decent,but not the classic Mach II line up!).
The title track is a terrific riff rocker that equals anything else done by Marriott in his career.
The vocals alone on this CD sound capture Marriott at his most intense and soulful.

The album is VERY hard to find,so if you can get it,get it!!!!
Humble Pie should have been as big as Led Zeppelin,the stars just weren't right are something....what a shame.

Humble Pie rules. Purchase this and as you listen to it, you will find that you are a better person.