Vehicle [Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered]

Ides Of March | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 18, 1996)
• Original Release Date: 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import, Original recording remastered
• Label: Magic
• ASIN: B00003CWIQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #402,261 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vehicle

2. Factory Band

3. The Sky Is Falling

4. Home

5. Wooden Ships/Dharma For One

6. Bald Medusa

7. Aire Of Good Feeling

8. Time For Thinking

9. One Woman Man

10. Symphony Of Eleanor

11. "Lead Me Home, Gently

12. Superman

13. Melody

Editorial Reviews

Reissue of the brassy Chicago rock band's debut album, first released on Warner Brothers in 1970 & featuring the Chicago/ Blood, Sweat & Tears-like #2 smash title hit, plus three bonus tracks, 'Lead Me Home, Gently', 'Superman' & 'Melody'. 13 tracks total, all digitally remastered. 1996 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tremendous "HORN-ROCK" Record that was Overshadowed, August 28, 2006

By 

D. R. Saxton "Dartanyon" (Bemus Pt. N.Y. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vehicle (Audio CD)

In the glory days of horn-driven rock bands, such as CHICAGO, B,S,and T, Chase, and Lighthouse, the "Ides of March" were probably the most underrated and least appreciated of all the bands in that genre. Originally, IDES of March was more of a sixties garage-band, based in the Chicago area. They even scored with a few hits when they were in their mid-teens!! ("You Wouldn't Listen" and "Rollercoaster" to mention a couple.) By 1969 they added some trumpets and a sax, and it was a whole new sound for them!! Vehicle was recorded in a radio broadcasting studio so the sound quality was going to be a mystery. However, the sound quality was just fine for a record recorded in 1970. Vehicle went on to be a monster hit but the LP went on to medium sales. Now, that being said, this album was one of the finest records of the early 70's. Each song is full of life and the ballads are beautiful such as "HOME". in which Jim Peterik
delivers a emotional message that sends shivers down one's spine. "Factory Band" is a fun rocker that gets your feet stomping, and that's followed by "The Sky is Falling", which really shows off the powerful horn section. "Wooden Ships", (the old C,S. and N song) finishes side one. The IDES version is even better than the original in my opinion. ( I know, How dare I say that against the legendary C,S, and N!!!) But, the Ides version is excellent! Side two features the excellent "Aire of Good Feeling" which definitely puts you in one. (It should have been the follow up hit, but rumour has it that WB wanted another Vehicle rip-off for a second single. That being "Superman" which is on their second album. "One Woman Man" is another beautiful ballad on this side. Jim Peterik's voice is so awesome and it is amazing that he was only 20 years old when he recorded this album!! Hey, if you like 70's horn rock, do yourself a favor and buy this one before it disappears forever. The LP went out of print and I was fortunate enough to buy an extra copy because my first one was worn out. Buy and enjoy!! This CD is a lot more than just VEHICLE. By the way, their second LP, "Common Bond" is fantastic too!! That is also still available.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars There is finally an alternative, December 5, 2003

By 

Venturenut "Dave" (Grants Pass, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vehicle (Audio CD)

I weighed in on this CD when Amazon first offered it, nearly 4 years ago, and I voiced my disappointment in the sound quality of such a good piece of music. Fortunately, The Ides have had a renaissance of popularity (they re-formed in 1990) and Rhino has issued the Warner Bros. albums, with some outtakes, on a 2-disc set. It has to be heard to be believed; seldom does a CD set transcend the best vinyl can offer. You have not heard Vehicle and Common Bond until you get this set. The catalog # is: RHM7834, on Rhino Records, and the full title is "Friendly Strangers: The Warner Bros. Recordings." It also has the track "Melody" so you are not losing anything from the (inferior) Magic Label release...

I'd also like to add that I received more emails in response to that first review than for any other thing I have done on the internet; it was fascinating to hear from so many other music lovers!

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Buyer beware, April 8, 2002

By 

Raul Velez (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vehicle (Audio CD)

This is one of my favorite all-time albums. The band, while having great material and sound, has hints of Blood, Sweat and Tears, Chicago, and some Gary Pucket. The title track, Vehicle, is now widely used for General Motors cars commercials.
Alas, this CD is a very poor shadow of the original album. The re-mastering is inept, as the sound is muffled, tinny sometimes, and overly bassy most of the time. It is not possible to adjust your equalizer to make it sound right.
It hurts to listen to this poorly done CD. My advise: get the vynil if possible.