Customer Reviews

Usa

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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

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.

After 3 splendid studio-albums (titled Bloodrock I, II and III) and the rousing double "Live" the band, still with the original line-up in tact, ended gracefully with "U.S.A.", which can stand in the shadow of their earlier work but cast a forbidden shadow towards their future. Openingsong is written by future members Warren Ham, who contributes flute and his brother Bill, which shows already what direction next was taking (as on "Passage " and "Whirlwind Tongue"-albums demonstrated). Next followes 3 songs written by long time collaborater, tunesmith extraordinair John Nitzinger, all in the Bloodrock vein and as such easy recognizable. That closes the old first side of the elpee. Side two is written entirely by the bandmembers themself and has also a lot to offer. Pomp and prog rock, with driven organ and searing guiters, courtesy of messrs. Hill and Pickens respectively. They close majestically with the epic "Magic Man" (not to be confused with the Heart song of the same title) with has eerie piano instead of organ. They end in style with a heavyrock bonus "Erosion". That was the end of the first era in many ways. Singer Rutledge en guitarplayer Pickens opted for a solocarriere and left the band, sadly, to be replaced by aforementioned Ham Brothers, who did their job well but were on a differend path. That leaves us so far by this "U.S.A." album as a fitting musical border. Even after 30 years still strongly recommended as one of the finest rockalbums of its time.

From the first note of the first track - It's a Sad World - to the final organ notes of Magic Man - utterly captivating. I've worn out the vinyl. Side one continues on with Don't Eat The Children - way before its time, or perhaps during its time - 1972. Promises: music is softer, but lyrics go hard. Crazy is, to me, just another dance tune, but then it fades into the lead, drums, and organ of Hangman's Dance - the one Bloodrock tune I cannot play on my guitar, and I've tried (and tried). It sounds so simple. "I don't have so much to say. You don't listen anyway."

Side two is even better:starting with - boom - American Burn - hard lyrics, hard rock, amazing. Jaw still drops when I hear it. Rock & Roll Candy Man is a fast little fun song that'll have the ladies dancing. Then - shift - Abracadaver - "I'm in heaven, and you're in hell" - to "it's not the thing you want if it's filled with pain" - some of the other lyrics are uneven, but the music absolutely kick-ass.

Finale: Magic Man - nobody I know was talking magic - spells and such - as other than kids' fare back in 1972. This one, I place up there with "Lucky Man", by Emerson, Lake and Palmer, and the album up with King Crimson's "In the Court of the Crimson King". Just writing this review, I can hear the whole album, note-for-note.

People have told me that Bloodrock USA marks a turning point for the band. What? It does? No, that doesn't happen until Passage. Bloodrock USA *definitely* contains the same hard rock sound and songwriting featured on the first three albums. In fact, I'd even go so far as to say there's NO difference between this album and the previous three whatsoever.

I also believe Bloodrock was quite the popular band for American troops fighting in Vietnam. If this is true, hey, that's pretty cool.

I suppose the opener called "It's a Sad World" might be a good indication this Texas rock band was concerned for our American troops. What a great vocal melody. What's really neat about the song is the way the band tosses in delicate flutes over the verse melody, a soaring organ solo in the middle, and a sizzling, melodic guitar jam to finish off the instrumental outburst of talent before the main verse melody comes back in. Terrific song.

"Promises" feels like it's written in more or less the same style. "Crazy 'Bout You Babe" is just a great pop song that reminds me of Grand Funk Railroad a little bit, "Hangman's Dance" might indicate the band were fans of Black Sabbath with that amazingly powerful guitar riff breaking out into an acoustic section for the final minute, and "American Burn" strikes me immediately for its upbeat vocal melody sung in SUCH a fantastic way.

"Abracadaver" has a HIGHLY memorable chorus, and "Magic Man" is perhaps the bands all-out doom and gloom epic conclusion, however, it's not quite as unsettling and spooky as a track such as "D.O.A". Far from it, in fact. Something happens as this song progresses though, and turns darker and darker. I love it.

An added bonus to an already solid collection of songs is the way the band members literally scatter every single moment of the experience with either guitar solos, keyboards, drums, flutes, and perhaps other things. Including such variety adds up to a VERY solid hard rock album in my book, filled completely with interesting musical ideas you will discover with repeated listens.

Overall, yeah, Bloodrock USA is just a great album. That makes four solid albums in a row from these guys.

I first saw (heard) Bloodrock in 1972 as the opening act for GFR at Pirate's World in Dania, FL. I bought every album they released after that and remain a loyal fan after all these years. I bought this CD earlier this year, even though I still have the LP packed away somewhere. I have noticed something interesting about CDs vs LPs. When I used to listen to this album, I mainly listened to Side 2, because it had my favorite cuts like American Burn and Rock & Roll Candy Man. Now that I am listening to the CD, I realize that I missed some great music on Side 1. I can honestly say that this album is excellent from start to finish. Good, clean, pure rock & roll.

Bloodrock was undone early on by winning the battle and then losing the war: it's gross out megahit "D.O.A" sold billions in 1971, but labeled the band as ghouls...which they were not...an aggressive vocal and guitar punch was backed up by what was, essentially a jazz rhythm section that introduced 5/8 time and 7th and 9th chords into rock material...Although their songs had a decidedly dark mood and even bordered on grotesque...this was a thinking man's band...not for cartoon satanists going ga ga over Black Sabbath... "Live" was the last offering from the six man original lineup. Kicking off with the hard rock confidence of "Castle Of Thoughts" it also foreshadowed Pink Floyd with "Breach Of Lease" and well..generally rock out in a more sophisticated way than an Alice Cooper crazed generation was ready for. The band, having evolved into a mellower jazz pop incarnation, folded up the tent for good in 1973 after 7 albums on Capitol.

Bloodrock were musical eggheads who confronted their audience with some scary new ideas and were determined to make them think after the dancing was over...and commercially it didn't fly...but I couldn't wait to see "Live" on C.D...this is the best unknown, mismarketed band of the 1970's

One of my favorite l.p.'s of all time !

This is a great album, and they were one of those groups who were ahead of their time, but I would not pay this amount for any album for memories. When it can be found in some old CD shop. Look around out there this album might be out of print, but it's out there! I found it at BUZZO's Music in Geneseo NY.

I first saw (heard) Bloodrock in 1972 as the opening act for GFR at Pirate's World in Dania, FL. I bought every album they released after that and remain a loyal fan after all these years. I bought this CD earlier this year, even though I still have the LP packed away somewhere. I have noticed something interesting about CDs vs LPs. When I used to listen to this album, I mainly listened to Side 2, because it had my favorite cuts like American Burn and Rock & Roll Candy Man. Now that I am listening to the CD, I realize that I missed some great music on Side 1. I can honestly say that this album is excellent from start to finish. Good, clean, pure rock & roll.