Customer Reviews

V

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very excited by this release and the further collaboration of Jim McCarty, Tim Bogert, and Carmine Appice. After thirty-plus years of playing their original three albums and the long search to find these albums on CD, it is refreshing to hear them having a good time making music again. It is especially interesting to hear Jim McCarty's searing guitar blazing across new tunes. His sound hasn't lost any intensity. Jimmy Kunes is also delivering here but I'm not sure anyone can replace the swagger and over-the-top power of the long deceased Rusty Day. But that doesn't hinder these guys from putting together a blistering new record. As for the rhythm, and backing vocals, section... it just does not get any better. And any of you long-time Cactus hold-outs know what I mean. Here's to a great effort and to the hopes of new life for this great band.

I feel that Cactus never got the recognition they deserved, I hope this album will change that. The bands latest release hit shelves over 30 years ago, but little has change since then. Of course, they've matured, and so has their sound. But in this case, thats a plus! This is an excellent comeback album! If youre not a Cactus fan, you should still check this out, its rock at its best!

There needs to be more of this type of rock today!! The band didn't sell us short by putting 14 tracks on the record. Part of the Game & Blues for Mr. Day are tunes with a really good groove. Doin' Time & Day For Night are really well written. My favorite tune on the album is Muscle & Soul... but Cactus Music isn't far behind. You won't be disappointed with any of the songs on this.

These guys were so underrated in the 70's,it was a cryan' shame.This recording brings back what REAL hard rock was AND is all about,,,and they stll have those Kozmic Blues............JM hasnt lost a bit of driving licks...TB is as awesome as he ever was..and Carmine Appice....Just listen to this guy.He was so overlooked in the 70's..Way ahead of his time from his days with the Fudge..In my opinion,one of the greatest drummers in the world..PERIOD!!!!!!

AMAZING...never thought I'd see the day when these guys would make more music but miracles do happen. Unlike most "reunited" bands who live off (and tarnish) their past accomplishments, Cactus picks up where they left off and drop a fresh bombshell on the rock community. If you liked them, you'll love this, and if you've never heard Cactus...well, you have not rocked, my friend.

Original members Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert and Jimmy McCarty (the most under-appreciated guitar god in rock and roll history) are joined by new vocalist Jimmy Kunes, who is not Rusty Day but is a great fit for the band. Appice is solid and versatile, Bogert plays inspired bass lines, and McCarty is on fire throughout. "Doin' Time", "Gone Train Gone" and "Muscle And Soul" blister the speakers while "Day For Night" and "Blues For Mr. Day" showcase their blues-based songwriting. This album is a worthy addition to a great recorded legacy, and a chance for people to re-discover what all the fuss was about 30+ years ago. It's not just a studio one-off, either - Cactus is on tour! Few bands could touch them as a live act then, and I can't think of any who would dare try now.

Rest in Peace, Rusty Day - I hope you're smiling and playing this loud in boogie heaven. Your brothers did you proud.

This music grows on you more every time you listen to it. You could pick out new favorite riffs during the first 10 times you listened to the complete CD. It takes you back in time and into the future expectations of Cactus capabilities. I hear flashes of 5 or more groups while listening, but Cactus - they are unique in every way, maybe that's what makes them so pleasant to listen to. If new groups could only model themselves after Cactus, radio stations could be called "Rock" once again instead of classic or current rock. I recommend this CD to any rock or blues lover, do not only listen to this CD once, it does rock your socks off where ever you are at the next time you listen to it.

If you want hard, blistering rock that will blow you away, look no further! Go get this CD, now! I won't bore you with how good Cactus was in the 70's. If you weren't there, sorry you missed one of the most powerful, effective hard rock bands in history!
With this new CD you get the same members minus Rusty Day! However, the new vocalist Jimmy Kunes can really belt out the tunes. He can sound like Rusty at times but has that range like the 80's Graham Bonnet! Somone mentioned that Carmine Appice's drums were a little over the top. Sorry, this is "Cactus"! In my opinion the drums keep up well with the hard driving Tim Bogart on Bass and Jim McCarty on guitar. Carmine, and also Tim have never just played along! They are absorbed in what they do! This album is mixed so good you could almost mistake it for a live concert! Speaking of McCarty, he has never sounded better! Whew!!! He just smokes that guitar! There is a tribute to Rusty Day with the song "Blues for Mr. Day". It's a short acoustic blues instrumental piece in which helped me bring back good memory's of Rusty with cactus and even when he sang with the Amboy Dukes! That may be the only rest you get while listening to this band! This is the kind of album you can put on and not switch from song to song! All of them have the mature touch of a classic rock band that has regrouped to probably give you their greatest music. Man, I hope they tour, do a follow up album and even a live one! They well represent what rock was all about back in the early seventies. "One of the best bands ever "Then and Now"!

Although Rusty Day the original lead singer for Cactus has passed away the remaining members and new addition have put out a very good C D.
The music has their trademark hard edge and rocks out!!!I do not think you will be disappointed and I like the fact that they did not ressurect any of the previous material as some groups do on reunion efforts...the new material stands up.

In 1970/71/72 This was my band!! The raw energy they had was incredible. I'll admit i wasn't expecting much from "V" I WAS WRONG.Carmen's drums are a bit over the mix....and i'm a drummer, and its a little annoying. But the tunes and the playing from guys approaching 60 or older, is pretty damn amazing! This is a VERY STRONG record! I'm on my 3rd listen and i'm still very surprised. If you dig hard rocking blues type music. BUY IT!!! Tim and Jim....YOUR BOTH STILL DA MAN!!

Where do I start? I'm a big Cactus fan. A few years ago, I figured there would not be anything new from Cactus - except for `best of's' (in many different `spins'). But some of these old rockers will not go quietly into the night. Some of this old time rock resurgence I believe, is the by-product of satellite radio - both formats are playing the `old rock' (see Deep Tracks on XM) and also new releases by old rockers (see the new releases from original groups like Deep Purple and newer groups with `old artists' like Gov't Mule and Proto-Kaw). The terrestrial stations for the most part, aren't interested in playing this music.

Back to the point on hand.

This new release from the surviving members of Cactus is a breath of fresh rock air. Sure it takes a play or two to get used to Jimmy Kunes voice - it's good but different from Rusty's. I could go on and on about the guitar playing - but the other reviewer's have already covered it - McCarty, Bogert are still great and Appice still knows how to drums very well. The songs and production are a little more `polished' than the original Cactus albums - but I'm a little older and prefer it this way.

I'm sure someone will report this CD is nothing like their original albums - my answer to this is - SO WHAT. The world moves on, things change, this is not 1970. This is a great rock CD - period.

Last point, it looks like they are going to re-release `Restrictions' soon - buy it.