by Brian Andrew Marek #9
Greenslade "Time and Tide" 1975
"Time and Tide", the last gasp of the (more or less) original Greenslade, doesn't enjoy the sterling reputation of their self-titled debut or its follow-up "Bedside Manners are Extra" (easily their finest hour). With the excellence of those albums to consider, this is fully justified, but that doesn't mean "Time and Tide" doesn't have merit. Yes, the Mellotrons have been deposed by the dreaded Crumar Stringman, yes, there are some concessions to (gasp) pop sensibilitis, and yes, Messrs. Greenslade and Lawson did some tracks without the participation of the other Dave. So what? The musicianship is still top-notch, the sense of adventure remains intact, and the compositions are engaging. And, if you ignore the fact that the painting was somebody else's blatant rip-off of Roger Dean's schtick and enjoy it on purely aesthetic terms, it's a lovely cover. Plus, when you consider the general state of prog rock in 1975, it's worth nothing that, with the possible exception of Dave Lawson's petulant critic-bashing on "Newsworth", nothing here is beneath their dignity.
Every time I've downloaded this album, however, it's always been missing about a minute of the opening track, "Animal Farm". Fortunately, I ran into a vinyl copy (now THAT'S the way to see that sleeve) this weekend, and ripped that track for my enjoyment and yours.
"Time and Tide", the last gasp of the (more or less) original Greenslade, doesn't enjoy the sterling reputation of their self-titled debut or its follow-up "Bedside Manners are Extra" (easily their finest hour). With the excellence of those albums to consider, this is fully justified, but that doesn't mean "Time and Tide" doesn't have merit. Yes, the Mellotrons have been deposed by the dreaded Crumar Stringman, yes, there are some concessions to (gasp) pop sensibilitis, and yes, Messrs. Greenslade and Lawson did some tracks without the participation of the other Dave. So what? The musicianship is still top-notch, the sense of adventure remains intact, and the compositions are engaging. And, if you ignore the fact that the painting was somebody else's blatant rip-off of Roger Dean's schtick and enjoy it on purely aesthetic terms, it's a lovely cover. Plus, when you consider the general state of prog rock in 1975, it's worth nothing that, with the possible exception of Dave Lawson's petulant critic-bashing on "Newsworth", nothing here is beneath their dignity.
Every time I've downloaded this album, however, it's always been missing about a minute of the opening track, "Animal Farm". Fortunately, I ran into a vinyl copy (now THAT'S the way to see that sleeve) this weekend, and ripped that track for my enjoyment and yours.
posted by Lizardson at 7:37 PM
2 Comments:
Yes it is a good album. And, personnaly, I like "newsworth" a lot. I find Dave Lawson's voice perfect and on top on this one, even if the rythm section doesn't sound very prog. I just wanted to mention Greenslade best album, that you seem to have forgotten "Spyglass guest", with Clem Clemson on guitars is a real gem in prog music
I've always enjoyed Doldrums - such a fine late hour tranquil track
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