Captain Beyond Captain Beyond 1972
1. What were your VERY FIRST impressions on listening to the album, say from the first five minutes in?
It's a compelling listen as always and the band keep the quality up. It always reminds me of a heavier Jethro Tull at times.
2. What did you think of the opening tracks?
I've always thought "Dancing Madly Backwards" and "Armworth" as great tracks.
3. What did you think of the later tracks?
Not as strong as the earlier tracks.
4. Did you like the vocalist? Hate him/her? Any impressions?
Rod Evan always has the stigma attached to him, as the man that made way for Ian Gillan in Deep Purple. That aside he was always a competant vocalist and passes with flying colours here.
5. Did the music (only) generally appeal to you, or not?
The album is such a mixed bag of styles and influences at times, but the whole thing is presented in a cohesive feel and yes it greatly appeals to me.
6. Did the album get better or worse as you listened to it (first time)?
I always enjoy this album immensely and along with their second album Sufficiently Breathless they two essential listens from the 1970s.
7. What did you think of the lyrical content?
The album explores the meaning of existence and they do it well.
8. Did you like the instrumental parts?
One of the strengths of the album, as the band members were in effect 'a supergroup' having already made a name for themselves elsewhere such as in Deep Purple and Iron Butterfly, but I would say that the instrumentals are the highlight of the album.
9. What did you think of the production?
It's a strong production by the band and it has real volume and clarity throughout.
10. How well do you already know the band/artist?
Very well and they only ever put out three studio albums.
11. What sub-genre, if any, would you assign this music to?
That's hard but at a push hard rock/progressive rock. The album has rhythm changes and diversity but the songs tend to be short and go against the flow of your typical prog album of that era.
12. On repeated listens, did you find you liked the album more, or less?
This is not an album for a casual listen as you'll miss how refined it is. It's a somewhat complex sounding album due to its influences of hard rock, prog rock, jazz and space rock. Switch off whilst listening and you'll miss its brilliance.
13. What would you class as your favourite track, if you have one?
Dancing Backwards Madly.
14. And the one you liked least?
Some of the later bitty tracks on the B-side.
15. Did the fact that this album is a debut/sophomore/middle period or later period allow it, in your mind, any leeway, and if so, was that decision justified or vindicated?
As the band had all been involved in other well known bands and projects before, I don't think this point is overly valid here.
16. Are you now looking forward to hearing other albums by the band/artist?
This and their second are equally outstanding works.
17. Did you get, thematically, the idea behind the album if there was one?
The album is about existence and I think the band capture this by taking us on a voyage.
18. Did the album end well?
It finished on "I Can't Feel Nothing Part 2" which had the same energy as some of the opening tracks.
19. Do you see any way the album could have been improved?
Possibly some longer tracks, but on second thoughts no, as it would have changed the style of the album.
20. Do you think the album hung together well, ie was a fully cohesive unit, or was it a bit hit-and-miss?
It's cohesive throughout.
Ovarall Album Rating:
9/10 (as it's such a unique piece of work)
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by eraser.time206
If you can't deal with the fact that there are 6+ billion people in the world and none of them think exactly the same that's not my problem. Just deal with it yourself or make actual conversation. This isn't a court and I'm not some poet or prophet that needs everything I say to be analytically critiqued.
|
Metal Wars
Power Metal
Pounding Decibels- A Hard and Heavy History
|