Customer Reviews

What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I purchased a Japanese import of one of the Doobie titles in error. When I received the disc, I decided that returning it would be too much of a hassle.

However, when I played the CD, I got a pleasant surprise: It is remastered and sounds fantastic.

The only title in the domestic Doobie catalog that has any sonic improvement is the Rhino "Long Train Runnin'" box set.

I A/B'd this disc against the set and they sound identical.

I picked up the remainder of the Japanese import Doobie albums, and they're all upgraded.

So, FINALLY, the Doobie catalog has been properly brought into the digital world. Leave it to the Japanese to finally get it right, because there's nobody at Warner Brothers who gives a damn.

The Japanese imports of the Doobie catalog are remastered.

Warner Brothers here in the U.S. is still selling the old LP-EQ'd, terrible-sounding masters they released on CD in 1990.

If you love these albums, get a set of the Japanese editions. They cost more, but they're worth it.

Here is the link to the Japanese remaster of What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits.

The Doobie Brothers have always been known, especially throughout the Tom Johnston era, to have strong, catchy beats that hook you in and won't let you go. This 1974 release is full of these classic Doobie songs. Some of the songs sound the same, however, such as "Pursuit on 53rd Street" and "Down in the Track." The similarities here detract from the overall creativity of the album, especially since these two songs are very similar to some of the weaker songs on the Doobies' previous three albums. Even with the inclusion of such similar songs, tracks like "Eyes of Silver," "Road Angel," and the Doobies' first #1 hit, "Black Water" will keep you coming back to this album. The strength of the album's last two songs are really what set this recording apart from previous, as well as future Doobie Brothers albums, however. "Daughters of the Sea" and "Flying Cloud" are a perfect end to this set of songs, particularly because they epitomize the laid-back but explosive style of the Doobies. "Flying Cloud," written by Doobies bassist Tiran Porter, is one of the rare instrumental tracks from the Doobies, and they make the best of the opportunity, with very spacy guitar and a relaxing feel to it.

BEST SONGS: "Daughters of the Sea," "Flying Cloud," "Black Water"

SONGS TO SKIP: "Pursuit on 53rd Street"

Overall, this is an incredible album, full of memorable, upbeat songs. The only better Doobie Brothers album is The Captain and Me, released in 1973. Highly recommended for fans of the Doobie Brothers, or upbeat, catchy classic rock in general.

The Doobie Brothers are one of the greatest American bands of all time. They are awesome-they have always been since their first album came out in 1971. They simply connected by combining elements of jazz, R&B, rock and even gospel into a unique, coherent, energizing musical synthesis with absolutely superb stylistic diversity.

Though not an easy decision, 1974's "What Were Once Vices Are Now Habits" is my favorite Doobies album. Every single track of this masterpiece - one of the most underrated albums of the 70's - is purely fantastic. They flat out rock with that great combination of excellent songwriting, uninhibited, raw power and sonic polish on gems such as the opener "Song To See You Through" hammering down the line through "Pursuit On 53rd Street", "Eyes Of Silver", "Road Angel", "Spirit", "Down The Track", "You Just Can't Stop It" along with the fine, softer "Tell Me What You Want (And I'll Give You What You Need)", sandwiched inbetween with their first #1 single, "Black Water" as well as simply one of the greatest songs personally of all-time to me, the smooth, gorgeous, breath of fresh air, "Another Park, Another Sunday". Ending this great set is the floating, dreamy combination of "Daughters Of The Sea" and "Flying Cloud". Simply amazing! This album is consistent on excellence. A must have..........

While many people seem to think Minute By Minute is their best, I think they are misled. I think What were once vices... was by far the most innovative. From Rock to pop to country to jazz, you'll find it all here, and they didn't need Michael McDonald to do it. While the Michael McDonald era was good music it wasn't in the true Doobie Brother style. Another Park, Another Sunday and Tell Me What You Want are two of my favorites. But, really their isn't a weak song on the album. Road Angel rocks with the best of them and I'm also a sucker for Daughters Of The Sea. And yes, Black Water is awesome too. This album should go down in history as one of the best of all time.

THIS is the Doobie Brothers. (The band should have been renamed when Michael McDonald was added to the line-up in 1976.) Johnston's swamp/blues vocals (even though he was a California biker) and the exquisite Johnston/Simmons/Porter harmonies are one of the defining sounds of the early 70s. This album encases the bands strengths in every way; lyrically and musically. Just because every cut wasn't a Top Ten Hit doesn't mean that the album should be overlooked. It cooks with rockin' guitars and with soul.

What Were Once Vices, Are Now Habits is certainly the weirdest title of a Doobie Brothers album, but it is also one of their most entertaining. The album contains their first number one hit, "Black Water". The song is beautifully structured and, as the song suggests, has the easy feel of a boat floating down the river. "Pursuit On 53rd St." is the exact opposite of "Black Water", an aggressive, rocking tune. "Spirit" could be the best song on the album and is a forgotten album track that deserves to be heard. The rest of the album is solid with "Another Park, Another Saturday" (a top 40 hit sliding in at #32), "Eyes Of Silver" and "Road Angel" standing out.

This album always bring back great memories for me; the cover photo was shot at Assembly Hall on the campus of Indiana University, where I attended college. My friends and I camped out for days to get front row tickets, and we ended up with seats in the first two rows and our faces on the album cover! I still have the album I bought 25 years ago, and play it every now and then for a little taste of nostalgia. A great concert band, a great example of their work.

After the seminal classic, "The Captain and Me", the Doobies returned to the studio to produce one of the most underrated classics of the mid-70s. With a line-up of exceptional side artists, namely The Memphis Horns, Ted Templemen and his crew created a fantastic melody blended album showcasing Pat Simmons' and Tommy Johnston's diverse talents.

Pay particular attention to some of the deep cuts on this album, such as "Song To See You Through", "You Just Can't Stop It" and "Daughters of the Sea".

The Doobie Brothers continue to be a thriving, soulful, chug a luggin' road band, with extraordinary talent, that many people have not experienced.

Funny thing about this album. I mistook Another Park Another Sunday for Call On Me by Chicago and I asked for the album for Christmas of 1974. It is by far the BEST mistake I ever made. Even though "Another Park" was a totally different song by a totally different band, the entire album is good. I am really hard pressed to find a "filler" song or something mediocre. One of the rare albums where every song could be a hit.