The College Crowd Digs Me

"Klaatu" - Klaatu (1976 )      The Klaatu/Beatles rumors started, in part, when a DJ wrote an article speculating that Klaatu might secretly be The Beatles under a pseudonym back in 1977.  Or maybe a DJ playing a Klaatu song and mentioning it sounded like the Beatles.  Whatever it was, the "Fab Four" connection began gathering steam.  Fans were hunting for clues and sharing their findings. (And remember, there was no internet.) McCartney and Lennon-esque moments on the album. The album had a Beatles/George Martin production vibe going on. No photos of the band or songwriting credits appeared on the album. No promotions, touring, or public appearances of the band. No interviews. Klaatu and The Beatles were on the same Capitol label. (in the US.) Ringo's "Goodnight Vienna," released two years earlier, had the Klaatu character on the cover. The record company seemed to be twiddling its thumbs with forthcoming information.      Adding this all ...

"Desolation Boulevard" - Sweet (1975)       "Desolation Boulevard"  jaywalks through fire with both hands in their pockets.   Nothing too deep or intense, but sometimes that's not what I'm looking for.  This spin rawks bravado!  Catchy as flypaper and a banger to crank.  Sweet was one of the better glam flames, and on this album, the band festoons early punk and metal into the mix.  The vocal harmonies are in the high Queen range and killer as well.  I was surprised by just how good this square is. "Desolation..." was Sweet's third studio album and had two singles, "Ballroom Blitz" and "Fox on the Run,"  that got decent airplay. (The UK version, released in '74, had a different track list.)  But if that's all you know, you're missing out.  This is a good one to pick up when out and about.   "Desolation Boulevard" - Sweet (back) "Desolation Boulevard" - Sweet (inner-sleeve front & ba...

"Sad Wings Of Destiny" - Judas Priest (1976)       Sometimes, when you're very hungry, you make a great album.  Judas Priest's sophomore album is, if not great, very good and on so many levels.  I especially enjoy the prog-shine the album has without sacrificing any of the doomage.  Even when a song does chill, the danger dust hovers close by.   Judas Priest  was definitely trying to push things forward, led by Rob Halford's vocal-razor insanity, a proggy-doom metal cast, and dual guitars biting and spitting.  Whether they knew it at the time, I haven't a clue, but in 1976, the genre was taking a much-needed louie from a path that was becoming overly familiar.   It was one of those "giant steps for mankind" that one only recognizes after the fact.  A bit ahead of the game, Judas P. was.  The sound was more edgier and more threatening.  Budgie and Queen with a poisoned hairpin.  They were working it out an...

"Spirit Of The Boogie" - Kool & The Gang (1975 )       At the time, I didn't know just where  "Spirit of the Boogie"  fell into the Kool & The Gang discography, but the cover artwork was too awesome to leave behind, so I snagged.   And it's a good one to pick up.  This was the band's sixth studio album, and, along with their break-out album, "Wild and Peaceful" (1973) and "Light of Worlds" (1974), is considered by many to be the band's golden funk trilogy.         "Spirit of the Boogie"  is a strong package.  Fun and funky, with tasty jazz dust sprinkled all over it.  The clever arrangements found here give the funk a jammier heady ride.  The band would hit it good and hard again a few years later, striking gold by successfully jumping onto the disco wave.  But that's another story.  This one is a tasty, smart funk album…and another wonderful low-dollar/high-reward square to keep a...

"Strange Universe" - Mahogany Rush" (1975 )      There are some real bangers on this one.  It's heavy and funky and touched with a bit of psych dust.  "Strange Universe" was Mahogany Rush's third album and where the trio really stepped into their own.  It has everything.  Sure, he wears his influences on his sleeve, but fuhgeddaboudit.  This is good stuff!  Just let the boy play.  Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush  have put their own particular stamp on the envelope, and I love it.   One of my favorites.  An underappreciated guitar player, Frank Marino gives your speakers a good dusting with a variety of atmospheres that never drift too far from Base One.  Frank was only 21 when this dropped.  His best stuff was still yet to come. "Strange Universe" - Mahogany Rush" (back) "Strange Universe" - Mahogany Rush" (inside gatefold) Favorites include: "Tales of the Spanish Warrior" "Strange Universe"  "T...

"The Man In The Bowler Hat" - Stackridge (1974)      On my first listen I found myself enjoying about half of the tracks, and for the rest, feeling mostly indifferent.  This was a conundrum because the album has an overall British chill about it that I like.  Nothing bad on either side, but nothing really jumped out for me.  After the second and third spins, I was all in.  With founding Stackridge members Andy Cresswell Davis and James Warren leading the way and Sir George Martin at the production helm, the album has a kind of Beatlesque paintbrush sweep.      And though it sounds nothing like the Fab, the later McCartney "flavor" is present.  Add a little 10cc and Supertramp aura, and  "The Man In The Bowler Hat" becomes a beautiful, gossamer slice of art-rock/prog-pop pudding.  It's not a perfect album, but it's pretty dang good for what it is. The square's a grower, for sure, and deserves a spin or two of active l...