Content tagged 'Art Rock'

Roy Wood came to fame as the leader of British '60s faves The Move before helping bandmate Jeff Lynne launch ELO. Following those adventures, Wood founded Wizzard, which gave the progressive power-pop of those earlier bands a heavier edge. While non-LP singles like “See My Baby Jive” (which topped the U.K. singles chart on this day in 1973) have a tight, commercial sound, the albums were on the whole more adventurous, and WIZZARD BREW is Wood at his post-Move best. The songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (he qualifies as an entire orchestra here) dishes up an eclectic mix of ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll, prog and glam rock on six extended tracks including the 13-minute “Meet Me At The Jailhouse.” Powered by thundering  boogie riffs, the musicianship is outstanding throughout, and WIZZARD BREW will surely cast its spell on '70s rock fans.

Released between SONGS FROM THE WOOD (1977) and STORMWATCH (1979), HEAVY HORSES was the second in a trilogy of folk-rock albums from Jethro Tull. Lead singer and flautist Ian Anderson explained its particular focus on horses and agricultural life saying, "as a child, my big passion was to get off the leash and explore the local wooded and leafy suburbs." The result was a Top 20 album on both sides of the Atlantic, one whose commercial success was also met with critical praise for its melodies, instrumentation and Anderson's signature flute playing. Now, a 40th anniversary “New Shoes Edition” adds 9 bonus tracks (7 of them previously unreleased), a full May 1978 concert from Berne, Switzerland and an extensive new booklet, making the 3-CD/2-DVD set the definitive version of Tull's HEAVY HORSES.

Following the dissolution of Los Angeles alternative rock  band Jane's Addiction, vocalist Perry Farrell and drummer Stephen Perkins launched Porno For Pyros. The group's second and final studio album, GOOD GOD'S URGE, shows the quartet in a mellower mood than on their debut, though the laid-back vibes are offset at times by such powerful tracks as radio hit “Tahitian Moon.” Other highlights include “Freeway” (featuring Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction and Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers), “100 Ways” (with Mike Watt of The Minutemen on bass) and “Porpoise Head” (featuring most of Love & Rockets). GOOD GOD'S URGE reached the Top 20 on Billboard's album chart, and we'll give the collection another spin now to celebrate Perry Farrell's birthday.