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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Amazing Adventure..., December 7, 2005
This review is from: Usa (Audio CD)
I remember the first time I listened to USA as a teenager, scratching my head over the subtle yet undeniable departure from the fierce bludgeoning of their first three albums. I liked it just the same, but didn't really appreciate its beauty until many years later. From that perspective, USA stands as the successful culmination of Bloodrock's first incarnation and as a harbinger of their transition from proto-metal to progressive/jazz rock. Given their perceived status as a poor man's Grand Funk (an unfair and perplexing notion considering the complexity of some of their songs was something GFR could only dream of), Bloodrock responded with an album that demonstrated what a little pressure and a lot of determination and skill could produce. The song writing continued to improve, and, with some additional material from the Ham brothers and John Nitzinger, laid the foundation for a collaborative effort that gleamed with energy and depth.
Two favorites of mine, Hangman's Dance and Magic Man, illustrate the sometimes confusing dichotomy of their work. The former is a heavy handed tune that embodies what most people remember them for. The latter is an understated masterpiece that takes the listener on an exquisite mystical journey. It also serves as a vehicle for some of Steve Hill's most hauntingly beautiful keyboard work and an incredible guitar solo by Lee Pickens that still gives me shivers when I hear it. As the final album with Jim Rutledge and Lee Pickens, USA brings the first chapter of Bloodrock's story to a close in fine style, and gives an overdue middle finger to critics who never really got what they were about or gave them proper credit for what they did.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album, February 27, 2005
This review is from: Usa (Audio CD)
This was the last album featuring the orignial lineup....the material has a harder, more aggressive feel than the previous. The recording quality is very good...The writing has matured further.
Is sad that the band went different directions after this effort.
I was around in the Bloodrock heyday and saw them live several times....and they were a great live band...
Buy this cd
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Un-freakin' believable rock from the 70's. Nothing compares to it !, March 28, 2008
This review is from: Usa (Audio CD)
Bloodrock's first four records received regular, almost daily, play in my bedroom in the early 70's. My girlfriend came to hate them, because she liked "happy" music. When I worked in FM radio, I wedged them in every time I thought the PD was asleep. Forget the gory hit single "D.O.A", these mofos could rock ! These guys are really jazz musicians; you can hear the incredible swing in their rhythms and drummer Rick Cobb knew how to throw offbeat fills in that made their songs really fun and gave them incredible groove. Indeed, their songs were darker than anything Sabbath or Blue Oyster Cult were dishing out, because you had the sense that they knew what they were talking about. But their clever writing style, relentless sonic punch; crisp, well timed guitar solos and genuinely spooky lyrics made this band one of a kind. How I wish musicians were half as ambitious, now.
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