And Rock and Roll...
ALL HAIL THOR: THE TRUE THUNDER GOD!
Thanks to my friend John for sharing the following YouTube:
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The New Judas Priest Book: Marin Popoff Writes Another Classic
Fill your brain with orders and that's not right.
They're playing at a game that draws you closer;
Till you're living in a world that's ruled by fear.
Always takin' baby out that's o.k.;
What they're givin' maybe it's out of phase with me.
Told you one you're never gonna win the race;
Same old no tomorrow kicked in the face.
We are screaming, screaming for vengeance--
The world is a manacled place.”
--Rob Halford, “Screaming For Vengeance, 1982.
You must forgive my neglect on this review, as I meant to do it months ago. Martin Popoff has written another fantastic book on Heavy Metal that must be read by the masses. His latest book Judas Priest: Heavy Metal Painkillers is a fantastic look at the true pioneers of metal and hard rock. Whereas most comments about Judas Priest pretty much follow the band’s most successful albums like British Steel and Screaming for Vengeance, Popoff devotes equal time to all of the Priest moments: harkening back to their early days and following the prolific mid 1970s periods, which includes my favorites of the band: Sad Wings of Destiny, Sin After Sin, Hellbent For Leather, and Stained Glass.
Popoff delivers in a style familiar with his regular readers of dividing the history of the band by albums and reviewing each record while sprinkling interesting band history information, concert information, tour stories and the like as each album acts as a milestone of sorts.
Since the awesome Black Sabbath book of Popoff’s, his oversized books also capture memorabilia of the time and fantastic band pictures with high gloss paper and beautifully coloring and graphics.
Martin personalized mine as a tribute to me on my 44th birthday. Good guy, that Martin is, of course.
Here is my recommendation to add to the pleasure. As I read each chapter of his book, I play the album associated with it. It helps develop a feel for the pacing and the emphasis Martin Popoff offers. This was a bit tough to do with Rock and Rolla, through no fault of Popoff--it is just a really wretched album.
Aside from the familiar albums and stories some fans of Priest may already know, the Angel of Retribution chapter was excellent as Priest explains how they re-meshed, how they decided to endure, and what the future may hold. The Epilogue was equally interesting.
Closing the book is a nice discography. Also included in the book was Halford’s solo material. All in all a very complete and complex history of Judas Priest, with 378 pages of beautiful text, pictures, and wonder. How Martin Popoff is able to have the band open up and tell stories otherwise long forgotten is perhaps Popoff’s greatest strength as a writer and Metal historian. There is a skill to good interviewing techniques and Popoff has it perfected.
And if you do not think Judas Priest is the most metal of the Heavy Metal bands, seriously, read the book to find out why you are wrong.
Regular Sweetwood Metal Moments readers know how I will shamelessly hawk Martin’s books for him. In the third of the Ye Olde Metal Series, Martin sent me an email describing what to expect for Ye Olde Metal 1976:
“The chapters this time (less of them but they are quite a bit longer)
Max Webster – Max Webster: my fave Canadian band of all time. Amazing album – I got Kim in here, Pye, Terry
Scorpions – Virgin Killer: I talked to Klaus, Rudy and Uli about this record, the blasphemous German cover art etc., the concept of a “virgin killer”
Point Blank – Point Blank: Rusty, John and Philip talk about being Bill Ham’s second banana ZZ Top
Angel – Helluva Band: one of the greatest albums of all time; amazing stories about the business muscle behind the signing of the band. Frank and Mickie dish the goods.
Rex – Rex: OK, Rex is one of the most entertaining guys I’ve ever talked to. His stories about the mob and singing on the lunch room tables… funniest thing I’ve heard in years. A lot of Leber and Krebs in here too.
Moxy – II: Buddy and Earl on struggling in Canada and then saying, screw it, and playing heavy next time.
Teaze – Teaze: heaviest Canadian album of the ‘70s – bloody ‘ell, you should know about it.
Lone Star – Lone Star: What happens when your whole band becomes scientologists? Plus you’ll love Kenny’s Peter Grant/Led Zeppelin story.
Starz – Starz: OK, Rex is the best, but his brother Michael Lee is pretty funny too. Cool Kiss/Sean Delaney crossover stuff here.
Ted Nugent – Free For All: OK, the best story in here, bar none. I talk to the whole band on one of the most cherished albums of my youth. I’m jaded, so it doesn’t matter, but I hope this 16,000 word expose doesn’t destroy your faith in the Tedinator.
Boston – Boston: I had the privilege of talking to Brad Delp at length about this album before his shocking suicide. Tom provides some great stuff as well. As tribute, Brad is on the cover of the book.
Foghat – Nightshift: bloody LOVE this album, and Roger and Craig do it justice.
Kansas – Leftoverture: talked to Steve, Kerry, Phil and Robbie here. Good overview of what Kansas was getting at, and Steve let’s us get a good look at his state of mind.”
Visit Martin’s site and buy them personally from the man, and I promise that he will sign it for you and write a unique personal message. His books are also a great gift for friends as well as owning them for yourself. Do not wait; go here to order your books now: http://www.martinpopoff.com/html/bookslist.html
And in also ran news, I was sent this very kind email from a former student of mine:
Hey there Mr. Sweetwood. I don't know if you really remember me or not, but this is C. (editorial note 1: uh, nope no real names for former students on this site) I was in a few of your classes two years ago and I now am at (editorial note 2: an Illinois College and I will not list it either for the privacy of my great kids). I was randomly searching the net and I stumbled upon "Sweetwood's Metal Moments". I thought, this can't be him. But it was! Anyways, kudos on the cool website and I hope all is well.
Always a pleasure to hear from the kids—I only have the best ones and C was a great student who will be a great success in life. I only share his email because he was probably privately shocked that his former History/Psychology/Sociology teacher was a closet “Metalhead.” You just never know.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Kamelot Fourth Legacy
“Settle for the journey…
Sail across the seven seas…
Carried by the spirit of the brave…
Join the New Allegiance now,
And pledge your sacred heart…
A history that no one can forsake”
--Youngblood of Kamelot, Fourth Legacy from the album Fourth Legacy.
Kamelot’s Fourth Legacy is a fantastic album that I have recently decided to replay and replay and replay again.
The true gems include the cryptic Fourth Legacy, Silent Goddess and Desert Reign/Nights of Arabia. These are the songs that set the stage for their further epics found on Karma, Epica, and Black Halo.
I also believe this was the album that set them up as the true kings of Power/Melodic/Speed Metal.
The obvious Middle Eastern Musical influences are here as well as the “epic” quality of such classics as Fourth Legacy and Alexandria.
Thematically, this is their album of searching and yearning, whether it be about a singular soul or the band searching for their identity. I think they found it.
Easily their most accessible of the “early” Kamelot albums, this is a proud step forward for the band and one that few have dared to take. The quality of the performance of Fourth Legacy and Nights of Arabia cannot be underscored.
Glad I took the time to rediscover this one.
Kamelot’s Fourth Legacy:
New Allegiance
The Fourth Legacy
Silent Goddess
Desert Reign
Nights Of Arabia >mp3
The Shadow Of Uther
A Sailorman's Hymn
Alexandria
The Inquisitor
Glory
Until Kingdom Come
Lunar Sanctum
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Sonata Arctica's Debut: Ecliptica: A Lesson For All Other Power Metal Bands
"What the hell am I waiting here for,
Expecting you to come and give away your life…
Expecting you to come and give away your life…
Just for a moment of my time,
Have a hole where I should have a heart,
I'm made of wood,
I'm falling apart,
I would give a kingdom for one more day."
Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica from the song "Kingdom For a Heart" from the album Ecliptica, 1999.
Have a hole where I should have a heart,
I'm made of wood,
I'm falling apart,
I would give a kingdom for one more day."
Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica from the song "Kingdom For a Heart" from the album Ecliptica, 1999.
The debut of Sonata Arctica’s first album, Ecliptica, is a lesson for every Power Metal performer.
A smashing package with a handful of “singles” that are catchy and fast. The lyrics are entertaining to a degree, but the playing is fast, furious, and articulate. I fully understand how “articulate” sounds, but these guys are technically masters of their instruments.
Blank File opens the album with the traditional Arctica high vocals and quick paced guitars.
My Land slows it down a bit to capture the heavy metal bass riffs and thundering drums with the guitars filling the air with their cutting jabs.
The next four songs capture the essence of the band and have become concert standards.
8th Commandment, the first “hit” is a song of angst that ties the band together perfectly. The bold vocals, the dicey guitar solos that soar, the keyboard solos that add a touch of flair against the background of the steady rhythm section of drums and bass are the components of a strong song. The song is about the angst of having a partner that lies and the revenge that will ensue. The opening riff sets the standard for all Power Metal that remains today.
Replica (the second hit) slows it down but the lyrics of mankind’s angst reign on this quasi-ballad.
Kingdom For a Heart (the third hit) is, in my most humbled opinion, is the best song on the album. So catchy, so reminiscent of the past; and yet so fresh. The lyrics, the changing tempos, and the music blend so perfectly in this one song.
Full Moon (the fourth hit) is another amazing moment that calls back to the realm of folklore as it is a song about a man turning into a wolf—the wolf being a later signature image of the band.
Letter To Dana is one of the weaker moments of the album. With the opening flute, it almost sounds Jethro Tull-like.
Unopened (the fifth hit) stands as one of the greatest songs in the Power Metal genre. Honestly, it is amazing that this band has so many signature tunes on one album. This one is so catchy it is unreal. The only knock is perhaps for the overuse of “tickling” keyboards. You would understand that last line if you heard the bridge of the song. It is simply about unopened letters and unrequited love.
Picturing the Past and Destruction Preventer are standard fill-in material; but no less fascinating for a band of such amazing talent.
This is an excellent debut album by a band of such promise as Sonata Arctica—and they have never failed to deliver.
A smashing package with a handful of “singles” that are catchy and fast. The lyrics are entertaining to a degree, but the playing is fast, furious, and articulate. I fully understand how “articulate” sounds, but these guys are technically masters of their instruments.
Blank File opens the album with the traditional Arctica high vocals and quick paced guitars.
My Land slows it down a bit to capture the heavy metal bass riffs and thundering drums with the guitars filling the air with their cutting jabs.
The next four songs capture the essence of the band and have become concert standards.
8th Commandment, the first “hit” is a song of angst that ties the band together perfectly. The bold vocals, the dicey guitar solos that soar, the keyboard solos that add a touch of flair against the background of the steady rhythm section of drums and bass are the components of a strong song. The song is about the angst of having a partner that lies and the revenge that will ensue. The opening riff sets the standard for all Power Metal that remains today.
Replica (the second hit) slows it down but the lyrics of mankind’s angst reign on this quasi-ballad.
Kingdom For a Heart (the third hit) is, in my most humbled opinion, is the best song on the album. So catchy, so reminiscent of the past; and yet so fresh. The lyrics, the changing tempos, and the music blend so perfectly in this one song.
Full Moon (the fourth hit) is another amazing moment that calls back to the realm of folklore as it is a song about a man turning into a wolf—the wolf being a later signature image of the band.
Letter To Dana is one of the weaker moments of the album. With the opening flute, it almost sounds Jethro Tull-like.
Unopened (the fifth hit) stands as one of the greatest songs in the Power Metal genre. Honestly, it is amazing that this band has so many signature tunes on one album. This one is so catchy it is unreal. The only knock is perhaps for the overuse of “tickling” keyboards. You would understand that last line if you heard the bridge of the song. It is simply about unopened letters and unrequited love.
Picturing the Past and Destruction Preventer are standard fill-in material; but no less fascinating for a band of such amazing talent.
This is an excellent debut album by a band of such promise as Sonata Arctica—and they have never failed to deliver.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
The Myths and Legends of Kamelot
“There's a way from it all,
Though the chances are small,
We'll come back again...
Won't you think it over...
Life is a pendulous fall...
But maybe worth the pain... And soon enough we'll go... Where nobody can touch us…”
--Youngblood and Khan “Pendulous Fall” from the CD The Myths & Legends of Kamelot, 2007.
In a somewhat common ploy for the completest collectors out there, Kamelot’s management and the band have released a European only CD of their B-Sides and added tracks called The Myths and Legends of Kamelot.
In my haste, I bid on two of them from eBay and won them both. One will be going up for auction later so I can recoup some of the money.
Before one runs madly out in a dash to search this collection (which is very good); I would offer this advice: check the bonus tracks on your CD’s. The majority of this collection is available elsewhere.
The following is the song list with their original location:
--Youngblood and Khan “Pendulous Fall” from the CD The Myths & Legends of Kamelot, 2007.
In a somewhat common ploy for the completest collectors out there, Kamelot’s management and the band have released a European only CD of their B-Sides and added tracks called The Myths and Legends of Kamelot.
In my haste, I bid on two of them from eBay and won them both. One will be going up for auction later so I can recoup some of the money.
Before one runs madly out in a dash to search this collection (which is very good); I would offer this advice: check the bonus tracks on your CD’s. The majority of this collection is available elsewhere.
The following is the song list with their original location:
Track 1: Future King: Bonus Track from the Japanese Karma
Track 2: Like The Shadows: Bonus from Japanese Epica
Track 3: Ne Pleure Pas: Bonus from Karma (Don’t You Cry in Italian)
Track 4: Soul Society: Radio Edit from Black Halo
Track 5: Epilogue: Bonus from Japanese Black Halo
Track 6: We Are Not Separate: Bonus Track from The Expedition
Track 7: We Three Kings: Bonus Track from The Expedition
Track 8: One Day: Bonus Track from The Expedition and Japanese Siege Perilous
Track 9: The Haunting: Radio Edit From Black Halo
Track 10: March of Mephisto: Radio Edit From Black Halo
Track 11: Can You Remember: Bonus from Japanese Fourth Legacy
Track 12: Snow: Bonus Track from Epica
Track 13: Season’s End: Bonus Track from Japanese Ghost Opera
Track 14: The Pendulous Fall: Bonus Track from Ghost Opera
Track 15: Epilogue (Live): Bonus Track from Japanese One Cold Winter’s Night
Since I own many of these on the CD’s, there were a few I did not have: namely Future King, Like The Shadows, Epilogue, and Season’s End. The rest I had in some form or another.
It makes me think that the Japanese CD’s are THAT much better. No wonder they always sell on eBay.
The tracks offered herein are relatively reflective and more of the orchestrated offerings of the band. This is not meant as a put down of sorts, but they are the tracks most likely to be cast off an album for a power metal band. They capture Khan’s voice and Thomas Youngblood’s guitars and writing style. They also always capture the magnificence of keyboard player Oliver Palotai, bassist Glenn Barry, and drummer Casey Grillo.
Any offering from Kamelot is, of course, excellent. Still it is interesting to note that SPV has chosen this as a European release and has ignored the American market where so many of these tracks remain unavailable.
Seek it out, but before so, check the various songs on the various Kamelot collections owned.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Sonata Arctica Reckoning Night--A Therapy Session
The love that's meant to fade away.
Vade retro, alter ego, move aside, I'm choking on this life...
I think I tolerate your hate, as long as you're afraid.
All I wanted was to be with you and suffer every day...”
Apparently Tony Kakko, lyricist of Sonata Arctica must have been going through some rough patches on an emotional rollercoaster as the Reckoning Night CD might show. That or he was breaking the bonds with someone for whom he once cared. Whatever the case, Reckoning Night was as much of a listening pleasure as it has been theraputic for me.
I love the orange cover and the signature “Wolves art/homage” that Sonata Arctica is known for. The ship in a sea of turmoil fits the verbal imagery perfectly.
Misplaced, Blinded No More, Ain’t Your Fairytale, Don’t Say A Word, My Selene, Wildfire, and Shamandalie are all pretty much about the bitterness of unrequited, unfulfilled, and rejected love.
That said, this album has some of the bands best songs.
Ain’t Your Fairytale and Don’t Say A Word (actually using the word “whore” throughout the song) standout as the classic Sonata Arctica standards. Misplaced, Blinded No More and Wildfire are among my favorites though. This one is the one that really rocked for the band, followed by the often criticized Unia. There were the greatest hits and best of packages that followed along with the For The Sake of Revenge CD/DVD live combo. Still, I think this one has their best playing as a band. Yes, please ignore the Boy Who Wanted To Be A Puppet. I cannot believe they made a single out of that one; lyrically lame but kind of catchy.
The band has an edge that takes them to a higher level as a Power Metal Band. The vocals have bite, the keyboards are incredible, and the guitars are crisp. The rhythm section could use more thunder and power for me, but a minor complaint as on this album—they shine. This album’s production is a bit muddy, but I am no expert here.
Reckoning Night has it all, a purpose in the lyrics, speed and flash in the guitars, clever tunes and true melodic power. It also was the first Sonata Arctica I owned, and I have revisited it a few times in the recent weeks (for reasons look at the first paragraph of the text) and it has also given me a bond to share.
"Reckoning Night" (2004)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Ye Old Metal 1973-1975
“Comin' to you across country
Hoping boogies still allowed…
You ask do we play heavy music;
Well are thunderheads just another cloud, we do
Not Fragile, straight at you.
Then we vanish to the night,
Still in your ears but out of sight
Not Fragile.”
--Randy Bachman of BTO; Not Fragile, 1973.
--Randy Bachman of BTO; Not Fragile, 1973.
Martin Popoff has done it again. I just received my latest book from Martin, Ye Olde Metal Volume II: 1973 to 1975.
I was impressed with the volume of insight on some key albums of the time period that Martin included. There are interviews with band members about key tracks and the formation of the music of the albums as well as tours and the like.
In this fantastic volume, Martin explores some of my favorite hard rock/early metal albums. They include:
Piledriver by Status Quo
Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
New York Dolls by The New York Dolls
Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep
Loud ‘N’ Proud by Nazareth
Montrose by Montrose
II by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Burn by Deep Purple
Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower
Only Want You For Your Body by Buffalo
Not Fragile by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper
Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Fandango by ZZ Top
Bandolier by Budgie
Fool For The City by Foghat
Come Taste The Band by Deep Purple.
Now of these releases, on CD, I own both Alice Cooper albums, both BTO albums, both Deep Purple albums, both Nazareth albums (as everyone who knows me is still puzzled by my love of Nazareth), The New York Dolls album, and Fandango by ZZ Top. After reading the review, I have ordered the Robin Trower CD.
I have to admit to not heard any Budgie and not knowing anything about Foghat other than Foghat Live. Buffalo I have never heard of; I admit further that I really think Montrose is over-rated. I also was under the delusion that The Dictators was more of a punk band; but that might be my misinterpretation. I am confident that Martin will correct me somewhere down the line. I once owned the Uriah Heep album on LP; no Uriah Heep on CD.
As far as the others, my brother Mark owned the BTO’s as I stole his LPs when he left for college. Sorry Mark, that is what happened to them. Not Fragile is their best, and I played it last evening when reading Martin’s review. The treasure to me in this book was reading the Alice Cooper reviews as Billion Dollar Babies is my favorite Alice Cooper album and one that I would argue is among the best albums of the mid-1970s. Martin’s interviews with band members like bass player Dennis Dunaway, and commentaries about Michael Bruce, really gives an insight that is otherwise unknown.
What I also enjoyed in this book is how open the musicians are about what they were doing and thinking when the albums were made. The BTO stuff is just filled with incredible bits and pieces of unique trivia.
I also loved that one of my all-time favorite albums, Burn by Deep Purple was included, as it is one of the most often ignored albums by the band.
I once proudly announced to my friends that through imports and the like that I owned every Nazareth album on CD. I remember buying the eight-track of Hair of the Dog when I was a sophomore in high school in 1979, and playing it while driving with Will Parks at 70 miles per hour on Canal Road in Ottawa, Illinois blasting it through the speakers of Will’s Ford Maverick as Bob Weber was tossing his lunch in the back seat. Those days were fun. I loved it; especially Don’t Judas Me and Changin’ Times. OK, Hair of the Dog said “son of a bitch” and Love Hurts was the hit; but this is such a rich and rugged album; I could not understand how the arrogant snobs at Rolling Stones referred to all Nazareth albums as “Dog Food” in their record review book. I also love the Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll album (thanks for buying it for me Mark, in 1981) as a favorite and I hope Martin includes it in the 1976-1977 volume (hint hint as I will send him this review and politely ask for a comment).
If you like the albums listed, if you were alive in this time and listening to music, and if you have any interest in the formation of hard rock and heavy metal, go here and buy Martin’s book as he will give you a numbered edition and personalize it for you: http://www.martinpopoff.com/. He also has Ye Olde Metal Volume I (awesome material); his very honest reviews in his The Collector’s Guides To Heavy Metal that cover the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in three volumes; and books on such diverse groups as Blue Oyster Cult, Dio, Black Sabbath (arguably the best Rock Music book I have ever read), UFO, and Rush among others. How often will you see a book on UFO or BOC for goodness sake? His writing is engaging and informative and he considers all aspects of the music. I cannot wait for his Judas Priest book.
I have to blame Martin for my lack of sleep last night, and my neighbors will blame him for the loud “Miss Misery” blaring from the speakers as I listened to the albums as I read his album stories.
And lest you think I get a cut, I merely struck an email to Martin last year and he was kind enough to email me back and establish positive rapport, as he does frequent this site upon occasion. Thanks Martin, and I am envious of his job. He is a good guy with brilliant commentary and the ability to “get the story” from these musicians who very well may be reluctant to talk. Buy his stuff and learn the stories behind the greatest music created.
I was impressed with the volume of insight on some key albums of the time period that Martin included. There are interviews with band members about key tracks and the formation of the music of the albums as well as tours and the like.
In this fantastic volume, Martin explores some of my favorite hard rock/early metal albums. They include:
Piledriver by Status Quo
Billion Dollar Babies by Alice Cooper
New York Dolls by The New York Dolls
Sweet Freedom by Uriah Heep
Loud ‘N’ Proud by Nazareth
Montrose by Montrose
II by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Burn by Deep Purple
Bridge of Sighs by Robin Trower
Only Want You For Your Body by Buffalo
Not Fragile by Bachman Turner Overdrive
Welcome To My Nightmare by Alice Cooper
Hair of the Dog by Nazareth
Go Girl Crazy by The Dictators
Fandango by ZZ Top
Bandolier by Budgie
Fool For The City by Foghat
Come Taste The Band by Deep Purple.
Now of these releases, on CD, I own both Alice Cooper albums, both BTO albums, both Deep Purple albums, both Nazareth albums (as everyone who knows me is still puzzled by my love of Nazareth), The New York Dolls album, and Fandango by ZZ Top. After reading the review, I have ordered the Robin Trower CD.
I have to admit to not heard any Budgie and not knowing anything about Foghat other than Foghat Live. Buffalo I have never heard of; I admit further that I really think Montrose is over-rated. I also was under the delusion that The Dictators was more of a punk band; but that might be my misinterpretation. I am confident that Martin will correct me somewhere down the line. I once owned the Uriah Heep album on LP; no Uriah Heep on CD.
As far as the others, my brother Mark owned the BTO’s as I stole his LPs when he left for college. Sorry Mark, that is what happened to them. Not Fragile is their best, and I played it last evening when reading Martin’s review. The treasure to me in this book was reading the Alice Cooper reviews as Billion Dollar Babies is my favorite Alice Cooper album and one that I would argue is among the best albums of the mid-1970s. Martin’s interviews with band members like bass player Dennis Dunaway, and commentaries about Michael Bruce, really gives an insight that is otherwise unknown.
What I also enjoyed in this book is how open the musicians are about what they were doing and thinking when the albums were made. The BTO stuff is just filled with incredible bits and pieces of unique trivia.
I also loved that one of my all-time favorite albums, Burn by Deep Purple was included, as it is one of the most often ignored albums by the band.
I once proudly announced to my friends that through imports and the like that I owned every Nazareth album on CD. I remember buying the eight-track of Hair of the Dog when I was a sophomore in high school in 1979, and playing it while driving with Will Parks at 70 miles per hour on Canal Road in Ottawa, Illinois blasting it through the speakers of Will’s Ford Maverick as Bob Weber was tossing his lunch in the back seat. Those days were fun. I loved it; especially Don’t Judas Me and Changin’ Times. OK, Hair of the Dog said “son of a bitch” and Love Hurts was the hit; but this is such a rich and rugged album; I could not understand how the arrogant snobs at Rolling Stones referred to all Nazareth albums as “Dog Food” in their record review book. I also love the Close Enough For Rock ‘N’ Roll album (thanks for buying it for me Mark, in 1981) as a favorite and I hope Martin includes it in the 1976-1977 volume (hint hint as I will send him this review and politely ask for a comment).
If you like the albums listed, if you were alive in this time and listening to music, and if you have any interest in the formation of hard rock and heavy metal, go here and buy Martin’s book as he will give you a numbered edition and personalize it for you: http://www.martinpopoff.com/. He also has Ye Olde Metal Volume I (awesome material); his very honest reviews in his The Collector’s Guides To Heavy Metal that cover the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s in three volumes; and books on such diverse groups as Blue Oyster Cult, Dio, Black Sabbath (arguably the best Rock Music book I have ever read), UFO, and Rush among others. How often will you see a book on UFO or BOC for goodness sake? His writing is engaging and informative and he considers all aspects of the music. I cannot wait for his Judas Priest book.
I have to blame Martin for my lack of sleep last night, and my neighbors will blame him for the loud “Miss Misery” blaring from the speakers as I listened to the albums as I read his album stories.
And lest you think I get a cut, I merely struck an email to Martin last year and he was kind enough to email me back and establish positive rapport, as he does frequent this site upon occasion. Thanks Martin, and I am envious of his job. He is a good guy with brilliant commentary and the ability to “get the story” from these musicians who very well may be reluctant to talk. Buy his stuff and learn the stories behind the greatest music created.
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