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General Information
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Artist...............: Krokus
Album................: Pay It in Metal
Year.................: 1978
Genre................: Heavy Metal
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 10
Duration.............: 00:34:41 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 192 HQ
Channels.............: Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. Killer 03:57
02. Werewolf 03:20
03. Rock Ladies 03:00
04. Bad Love 04:33
05. Get Out Of My Mind 03:41
06. Rock Me Rock You 03:22
07. Deadline 02:01
08. Susie 03:05
09. Pay It 03:09
10. Bye Bye Baby 04:34
Album Review:
Including its original Painkiller Europe-only artwork, Pay It in Metal had at least
three covers, with the Mercury Records "Talking Banana" U.S. version being the one
generally associated with this ten-song 1978 release. As the group was taking a
distinctly heavier, fuzzier, more "metal" approach, perhaps this re-titling of
Painkiller made good business sense as it suggested the crunchier sound of Marc
Storace-fronted big-sellers like Metal Rendez-Vous and Headhunter. Instead, Pay It
in Metal is distinctly un-metallic, with original vocalist Chris Von Rohr putting
his best boogie foot forward on top of Fernando Von Arb's up-beat blues-rock and
Southern-fried riffs. The hard-edged good-time rock on Pay It in Metal basically
works, but withers when compared to masters of the era like AC/DC - a group Krokus
outwardly mimicked years later. Fans of '70s hard rock, curious about the genre's
second-tier artists, would do better purchasing a dozen different April Wine and
Triumph offerings before considering Pay It in Metal.
Vincent Jeffries, All Music Guide.
http://rapidshare.com/files/162871217/0661978.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: KRAFTWERK
Album................: The Man Machine
Released.............: 1978
Genre................: Progressive Electronic
Duration.............: 36:13
Number of Songs......: 6
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
Source...............: CD
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01-The Robots-06:11
02-Spacelab-05:54
03-Metropolis-06:01
04-The Model-03:43
05-Neon Lights-08:53
06-The Man Machine-05:31
Album Review:
The Man-Machine is closer to the sound and style that would define early new
wave electro-pop -- less minimalistic in its arrangements and more complex and
danceable in its underlying rhythms. Like its predecessor, Trans-Europe Express,
there is the feel of a divided concept album, with some songs devoted to science
fiction-esque links between humans and technology, often with electronically
processed vocals ("The Robots," "Spacelab," and the title track); others take
the glamour of urbanization as their subject ("Neon Lights" and "Metropolis").
Plus, there's "The Model," a character sketch that falls under the latter
category but takes a more cynical view of the title character's glamorous
lifestyle. More pop-oriented than any of their previous work, the sound of The
Man-Machine -- in particular among Kraftwerk's oeuvre -- had a tremendous impact
on the cold, robotic synth pop of artists like Gary Numan, as well as Britain's
later new romantic movement.
- Steve Huey, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162866587/0651978.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: BLONDIE
Album................: Parallel Lines
Year.................: 1978
Genre................: Pop/Rock
Duration.............: 41:22
Number of Songs......: 12
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: 128 (CBR)
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01) Hanging On The Telephone 2:26
02) One Way Or Another 3:38
03) Picture This 2:59
04) Fade Away And Radiate 4:05
05) Pretty Baby 3:23
06) I Know But I Don't Know 3:57
07) 11:59 3:21
08) Will Anything Happen? 3:02
09) Sunday Girl 3:07
10) Heart Of Glass 5:48
11) I'm Gonna Love You Too 2:09
12) Just Go Away 3:27
Album Review:
Blondie turned to British pop producer Mike Chapman for their third album, on which they abandoned any pretensions to new wave legitimacy (just in time, given the decline of the new wave) and emerged as a pure pop band. But it wasn't just Chapman that made Parallel Lines Blondie's best album; it was the band's own songwriting, including Deborah Harry, Chris Stein, and James Destri's "Picture This," and Harry and Stein's "Heart of Glass," and Harry and new bass player Nigel Harrison's "One Way or Another," plus two contributions from nonbandmember Jack Lee, "Will Anything Happen?" and "Hanging on the Telephone." That was enough to give Blondie a number one on both sides of the Atlantic with "Heart of Glass" and three more U.K. hits, but what impresses is the album's depth and consistency -- album tracks like "Fade Away and Radiate" and "Just Go Away" are as impressive as the songs pulled for singles. The result is state-of-the-art pop/rock circa 1978, with Harry's tough-girl glamour setting the pattern that would be exploited over the next decade by a host of successors led by Madonna.
William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162863278/0631978.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: STYX
Album................: The Grand Illusion
Release Date.........: Jul 1977
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Prog Related)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 08
Duration.............: 00:39:10 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 192 HQ
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. "The Grand Illusion" - 4:38
02. "Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)" - 5:31
03. "Superstars" - 4:02
04. "Come Sail Away" - 6:08
05. "Miss America" - 5:04
06. "Man in the Wilderness" - 5:51
07. "Castle Walls" - 5:59 *****
08. "The Grand Finale" - 1:57
Album Review:
Other than being their first platinum-selling album, The Grand Illusion led Styx steadfastly
into the domain of AOR rock. Built on the strengths of "Come Sail Away"'s ballad-to-rock
metamorphosis, which gained them their second Top Ten hit, and on the high harmonies of newcomer
Tommy Shaw throughout "Fooling Yourself," The Grand Illusion introduced Styx to the gates of
commercial stardom. The pulverized growl of "Miss America" reveals the group's guitar-savvy
approach to six-string rock, while De Young pretentiously struts his singing prowess throughout
the title track. Shaw's induction into the band has clearly settled, and his guitar work, along
with James Young's, is full and extremely sharp where it matters most. Even the songwriting is
more effluent than Crystal Ball, which was released one year earlier, shedding their mystical
song motifs for a more audience-pleasing lyric and chord counterpoise. Reaching number six on
the album charts, The Grand Illusion was the first to display the gelled accomplishments of both
Tommy Shaw and Dennis De Young as a tandem.
- Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162545081/0621977.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: Rush
Album................: A Farewell To Kings
Release Date.........: Sep 1977
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Heavy)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 6
Duration.............: 00:37:13 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320 HQ
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. A Farewell To Kings (5:53)
02. Xanadu (11:07)
03. Closer To The Heart (2:54)
04. Cinderella Man (4:22)
05. Madrigal (2:36)
06. Cygnus X-1 (10:21)
Album Review:
On 1977's A Farewell to Kings it quickly becomes apparent that Rush had improved
their songwriting and strengthened their focus and musical approach. Synthesizers
also mark their first prominent appearance on a Rush album, a direction the band
would continue to pursue on future releases. With the popular hit single "Closer
to the Heart," the trio showed that they could compose concise and traditionally
structured songs, while the 11-minute "Xanadu" remains an outstanding accomplishment
all these years later (superb musicianship merged with vivid lyrics help create
one of Rush' s best all-time tracks). The album-opening title track begins with
a tasty classical guitar/synth passage, before erupting into a powerful rocker.
The underrated "Madrigal" proves to be a delicately beautiful composition, while
"Cinderella Man" is one of Rush's few songs to include lyrics penned entirely by
Geddy Lee. The ten-minute tale of a dangerous black hole, "Cygnus X-1," closes the
album on an unpredictable note, slightly comparable to the two bizarre extended
songs on 1975's Caress of Steel. A Farewell to Kings successfully built on the
promise of their breakthrough 2112, and helped broaden their audience.
Greg Prato, All Music Guide.
http://rapidshare.com/files/162539778/0611977.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: Hawkwind
Album................: Quark Strangeness And Charm
Year.................: 1977
Genre................: Psychedelic/Space Rock
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 8
Duration.............: 00:36:53 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 192 HQ
Channels.............: Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. "Spirit Of The Age" - 7:19
02. "Damnation Alley" - 9:08
03. "Fable Of A Failed Race" - 3:18
04. "Quark Strangeness And Charm" - 3:41
05. "Hassan I Sahba" - 5:22 *****
06. "The Forge Of Vulcan" - 3:06
07. "Days Of The Underground" - 3:10
08. "Iron Dream" - 1:49
Album Review:
Hot on the heels of two decidedly un-Hawkwind-y singles; following in the footsteps,
too, of the defiantly transitory Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music album, Quark Strangeness
and Charm was the first full flowering of Hawkwind's newly-honed drive towards brittle pop,
sharp wit, and crystal-clear intent - attributes that, if they'd ever existed in the past,
had been entirely overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of the space rock rocket blast.
Now it was the propulsive riffs and deep space echoes that were held in abeyance, and Quark
opened as it meant to go on, with "Spirit of the Age"'s tight keyboards, unobtrusive washes,
and the utterly captivating - if totally skewed - story of love across the light years.
It is hard to visualise just how shocking the change must have been to loyal fans of the era;
how they must have trembled before the electrifying jolt of concise lyricism and accessible
melodies. Airplay followed, and the band even made their first mainstream U.K. TV appearance
in some five years, performing the new album's title track on Marc Bolan's teatime TV pop show.
Robert Calvert wore an aviator's helmet and carried a stuffed falcon on one hand, odd apparel
indeed for an ode to Albert Einstein's lack of luck with the ladies. Or maybe not so odd,
after all.A handful of songs fed back into the traditional Hawkwind mythos - the post-apocalyptic
"Damnation Alley," the near-industrial instrumental "Forge of Vulcan," and the weary, dream-is-over
nostalgia of "Days of the Underground." "Hassan I Sabha," an epic of Middle Eastern terrorist
rhetoric, even recalled the prosaic realities of the old favorite "Urban Guerilla," although
a haunting Arabic refrain and instrumentation catapulted it to a different realm regardless.
And so it went on - Hawkwind's most unexpected album to date and, today, one of their most
endearingly enduring; charming, strange, and, if not quark, then certainly quirky.
- Dave Thompson, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162539776/0601977.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: STOMU YAMASHTA, STEVE WINWOOD, KLAUS SCHULZE, AL DIMEOLA
Album................: Go... Live From Paris
Type.................: Live
Released.............: 1976
Genre................: World Fusion
Duration.............: 1:03:16
Number of Songs......: 14
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01-Space Song-02:26
02-Carnival-01:20
03-Wind Spin-08:19
04-Ghost Machine-03:47
05-Surf Spin-01:32
06-Time Is Here-07:39 *****
07-Winner Loser-05:09
08-Solitude-01:56
09-Nature-03:27
10-Air Voice-00:57
11-Crossing The Line-07:49
12-Man Of Leo-14:19
13-Stellar-01:25
14-Space Requiem-03:11
Album Review:
The primary difference when comparing this live performance and the rendering
simply titled Go (1976) is that Go Live From Paris (1978) presents the
proceedings (as they exist) in a properly linear fashion, as correlated to the
Eastern mythology that informed the extended two-part suite. This is in direct
contrast to Go, which assembled the contents out of sequence. The stage show was
recorded at the Palais Des Sports in Paris, France on June 12, 1976 and the
recital setting allows for considerably longer and more exploratory interaction
amongst Stomu Yamashta (percussion/piano), Steve Winwood (vocals/keyboards) and
Michael Shrieve (drums). They are joined by legendary jazz axeman Al DiMeola
(guitar) as well as Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel veteran Klaus Schulze
(synthesizer) -- all of whom had contributed to Go. Filling out the band are
Jerome Rimson (bass), Pat Thrall (guitar), Brother James (congas) and Karen
Friedman (vocals). Specifically, the licks traded between DiMeola and Shrieve
are comparable to the workouts the pair shared as part of the Borboletta (1974)
era Santana. In terms of sheer intensity, it is hard to beat DiMeola's searing
leads and Winwood's blue-eyed soul on the driving "Ghost Machine," easily
topping its former incarnation. "Surfspin" lands into the funky mid-tempo "Time
Is Here" highlighted by Karen Friedman's expressive exchanges with Winwood,
while Rimson punctuates the rhythm with some penetrating bass interjections.
This is followed by the sole Winwood composition "Winner/Loser," which further
exemplifies how the spontaneity of the concert yields results that best their
predecessors. In fact, on the whole the material on Go sounds like a blueprint
for the exceptional and inspired outing found here. The second movement
commences with fairly even renditions of the trifecta "Solitude," "Nature" and
"Air Voice" -- which had previously been given the name "Air Over." "Crossing
the Line" is an additional zenith, spotlighted by Winwood's emotive vocals and
the untamed and otherwise incendiary frenzy of fretwork courtesy of DiMeola.
Clocking in just shy of a quarter-hour, "Man of Leo" provides another
opportunity for the players to loosen up and fuse their collective
improvisations behind DiMeola's intense soloing and the similarly seminal
instrumental offerings from Shrieve, Rimson -- who is at his most melodic -- and
Freidman's haunting warbles. In 2004, Hip-O Select compiled both Go and the
companion Go Live From Paris (1977) on to a limited-edition (of 2,500 copies)
two-CD set remastered by Gavin Lurssen and includes all of the original
notations, lyrics and artwork within a 16-page liner booklet.
- Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162204070/0591976.part1.rar
http://rapidshare.com/files/162207436/0591976.part2.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: Steppenwolf
Album................: Skullduggery
Year.................: 1976
Genre................: Rock
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 8
Duration.............: 00:34:26 min
Size.................: 62,1 MB
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 192 HQ
Channels.............: Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01) Skullduggery *****
02) (I'm A) Road Runner
03) Rock & Roll Song
04) Train Of Thought
05) Life Is A Gamble
06) Pass It On
07) Sleep
08) Lip Service
Album Review:
The recording of this album fulfilled our contractual obligations to Epic Records.
While I found it difficult to find the motivation to write songs for an album that
I felt was the musical equivalent of The Titanic, Bobby Cochran, our intrepid
guitarist felt no such energy drop. No one worked harder to give the record life
than he. His enthusiasm was infectious to the point that when we were finished
I was surprised at the results. The title song as well as our versions of Road
Runner, Rock and Roll Song and Pass It On are still some of my favorites.
*SKULLDUGGERY* IS MY BEST*
1976-Imported. The last of the three albums from the mid-'70s recorded for
Mums/Epic (now Sony) Records. This has only recently been re-released in Europe,
attesting to the band's continued popularity there.
http://rapidshare.com/files/162201222/0581976.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: Rush
Album................: "2112"
Release Date.........: Mar 1976
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Heavy)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 6
Duration.............: 00:38:51 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320 HQ
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. "2112" (20:33)
I) Overture
II) The Temples Of Syrinx
III) Discovery
IV) Presentation
V) Oracle: the dream
VI) Soliloquy
VII) Grand Finale
02. A Passage To Bangkok (3:35)
03. The Twilight Zone (3:19)
04. Lessons (3:52)
05. Tears (3:34)
06. Something For Nothing (3:58)
Album Review:
Whereas Rush's first two releases, their self-titled debut and Fly By Night, helped
create a buzz among hard rock fans worldwide, the more progressive third release,
Caress of Steel, confused many of their supporters. The band knew it was now or never
with their fourth release, and they delivered just in time - 1976's 2112 proved to be
their much sought-after commercial breakthrough and remains one of their most popular
albums. Instead of choosing between prog rock or heavy rock, both styles are merged
together to create an interesting and original approach. The whole entire first side
is comprised of the classic title track, which paints a chilling picture of a future
world where technology is in control (Peart's lyrics for the piece being influenced
by Ayn Rand). Comprised of seven "sections," the track proved that the trio was fast
becoming rock's most accomplished instrumentalists. The second side contains shorter
selections, such as the Middle Eastern-flavored "A Passage to Bangkok" and the album
-closing rocker "Something for Nothing." 2112 is widely considered by Rush fans as
their first true "classic" album, the first in a string of similarly high-quality albums.
- Greg Prato, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162186593/0561976.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: KANSAS
Album................: Leftoverture
Released.............: October 1976
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Symphonic)
Duration.............: 43:27
Number of Songs......: 8
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: 192 (CBR)
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. "Carry On Wayward Son" (Livgren) – 5:23
02. "The Wall" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:48
03. "What's on My Mind" (Livgren) – 3:28
04. "Miracles Out of Nowhere" (Livgren) – 6:27
05. "Opus Insert" (Livgren, Walsh) – 4:27
06. "Questions of My Childhood" (Livgren, Walsh) – 3:36
07. "Cheyenne Anthem" (Livgren) – 6:52
08. "Magnum Opus" (Ehart, Hope, Livgren, P. Steinhardt, R. Steinhardt, Walsh, Williams) – 8:26
(a). "Father Padilla Meets the Perfect Gnat"
(b). "Howling at the Moon"
(c). "Man Overboard"
(d). "Industry On Parade"
(e). "Release The Beavers"
(f). "Gnat Attack"
Album Review:
For any art rock band, the fourth album means it's time for a self-styled masterpiece -- if you need proof, look at Selling England by the Pound or Fragile. So, with Kansas, the most determinedly arty of all American art rock bands, they composed and recorded Leftoverture, an impenetrable conundrum of significance that's capped off by nothing less than a five-part suite, appropriately titled "Magnum Opus," and featuring such promising movement titles as "Father Padilla Meets the Perfect Gnat" and "Release the Beavers." Of course, there's no telling whether this closing opus relates to the opener, "Carry On Wayward Son," the greatest single Kansas ever cut -- a song that manages to be pompous, powerful, ridiculous, and catchy all at once. That they never manage to rival it anywhere on this record is as much a testament to their crippling ambition as their lack of skills. And it's unfair to say Kansas are unskilled, since they are certainly instrumentally proficient and they can craft songs or, rather, compositions that appear rather ambitious. Except these compositions aren't particularly complex, rhythmically or harmonically, and are in their own way as ambling as boogie rock, which still feels to be their foundation. It's not really fair to attack Kansas for a concept album with an impenetrable concept -- it's possible to listen to Lamb Lies Down on Broadway hundreds of times and not know what the hell Rael is up to -- but there's neither hooks nor true grandiosity here to make it interesting. That said, this still may be Kansas' most consistent set, outside of Point of Know Return. Take that for what you will.
- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162184881/0551976.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: JON LORD
Album................: Sarabande
Year.................: 1976
Genre................: Progressive Rock/Prog Related
Duration.............: 49:44
Number of Songs......: 8
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: 192 (CBR)
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01-Fantasia 03:32
02-Sarabande 07:21
03-Aria 03:44
04-Gigue 11:08
05-Bouree ***** 11:03
06-Pavane 07:40
07-Caprice 03:13
08-Finale 02:03
Album Review:
As Lord wrote in the liner notes, on this classical-rock fusion album, recorded in Deep Purple's dying days, "The theme behind the music on this album is that of a baroque dance suite; a form of music which was brought to its highest level by Bach. The title of each track is the name of a dance used in one of these dance suites, and I have tried to use the same tempo and feel as an original Sarabande, Gigue etc." The wholly instrumental work includes both some purely orchestral/symphonic passages and some fusiony rock chunks, as well as parts where the two forms merge to some extent. Among the rock section, Lord's keyboards are supported by ex-Spencer Davis Group drummer Pete York and a pre-Police Andy Summers on guitar. German composer and conductor Eberhard Schoener conducts the Philharmonica Hungarica Orchestra. The 1999 CD reissue (Purple 305) has extensive historical liner notes.
Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162179945/0541976.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: BLUE OYSTER CULT
Album................: Agents of Fortune
Year.................: 1976
Genre................: Prog Related
Duration.............: 36:26
Number of Songs......: 10
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: 192 (CBR)
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01 - "This Ain't the Summer of Love" (Albert Bouchard, M. Krugman, D. Waller) – 2:21
02 - "True Confessions" (Allen Lanier)– 2:56
03 - "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" *** (Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser) – 5:08
04 - "E.T.I. (Extra Terrestrial Intelligence)" (Sandy Pearlman, Roeser) – 3:43
05 - "The Revenge of Vera Gemini" (feat. Patti Smith) (A. Bouchard, P. Smith) – 3:51
06 - "Sinful Love" (A. Bouchard, H. Robbins) – 3:29
07 - "Tattoo Vampire" (A. Bouchard, Robbins) – 2:41
08 - "Morning Final" (Joe Bouchard) – 4:14
09 - "Tenderloin" (Lanier) – 3:55
10 - "Debbie Denise" (A. Bouchard, P. Smith) – 4:08
Album Review:
If ever there were a manifesto for 1970s rock, one that prefigured both the decadence of the decade's burgeoning heavy metal and prog rock excesses and the rage of punk rock, "This Ain't the Summer of Love," the opening track from Agents of Fortune, Blue Oyster Cult's fourth album, was it. The irony was that while the cut itself came down firmly on the hard rock side of the fence, most of the rest of the album didn't. Agents of Fortune was co-produced by longtime Cult record boss Sandy Pearlman, Murray Krugman, and newcomer David Lucas, and in addition, the band's lyric writing was being done internally with help from poet-cum-rocker Patti Smith (who also sings on "The Revenge of Vera Gemini"). Pearlman, a major contributor to the band's songwriting output, received a solitary credit while critic Richard Meltzer, whose words were prevalent on the Cult's previous outings, was absent. The album yielded the band's biggest single with "(Don't Fear) The Reaper," a multi-textured, deeply melodic soft rock song with psychedelic overtones, written by guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser. The rest of the album is ambitious in that it all but tosses aside the Cult's proto-metal stance and instead recontextualizes their entire stance. It's still dark, mysterious, and creepy, and perhaps even more so, it's still rooted in rock posturing and excess, but gone is the nihilistic biker boogie in favor of a more tempered -- indeed, nearly pop arena rock -- sound that gave Allen Lanier's keyboards parity with Dharma's guitar roar, as evidenced by "E.T.I.," "Debbie Denise," and "True Confessions." This is not to say that the Cult abandoned their adrenaline rock sound entirely. Cuts like "Tattoo Vampire" and "Sinful Love" have plenty of feral wail in them. Ultimately, Agents of Fortune is a solid record, albeit a startling one for fans of the band's earlier sound. It also sounds like one of restless inspiration, which is, in fact, what it turned out to be given the recordings that came after. It turned out to be the Cult's last consistent effort until they released Fire of Unknown Origin in 1981.
Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162179944/0531976.rar
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General Information
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Artist...............: Ted Nugent
Album................: Ted Nugent
Release Date.........: Nov 1975
Genre................: Hard Rock
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 9
Duration.............: 00:38:33 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: VBR 192
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
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Release Notes
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Track Listing:
01. "Stranglehold" - 8:23
02. "Stormtroopin" - 3:07
03. "Hey Baby" - 3:58
04. "Just What the Doctor Ordered" - 3:39
05. "Snakeskin Cowboys" - 4:29
06. "Motor City Madhouse" - 4:28
07. "Where Have You Been All My Life" - 4:04
08. "You Make Me Feel Right at Home" - 2:51
09. "Queen of the Forest" - 3:34
All songs written and arranged by Ted Nugent, except "Hey Baby,"
written and arranged by Derek St. Holmes.
Album Review:
After disintegrating the Amboy Dukes in the early '70s, Ted Nugent finally decided
to strike out on his own as a solo star. Even without a recording contract, Nugent
toured constantly, built up a fervent following, and created a smoking hard rock
quartet with the help of singer/guitarist Derek St. Holmes, bassist Rob Grange,
and drummer Cliff Davies. The band's first release, 1975's Ted Nugent, is a prime
slice of testosterone-heavy, raging, unapologetic rock & roll, and along with the
band's 1977 release Cat Scratch Fever, it is Nugent's best solo studio album.
While the grinding opening track, "Stranglehold," stretches beyond eight minutes
and contains several extended, fiery-hot guitar leads, it does not come off as your
typical '70s overindulgent fare - every single note counts as Nugent wails away as
if his life depended on it. Other Nuge classics include "Motor City Madhouse," plus
the St. Holmes-sung "Hey Baby" and "Just What the Doctor Ordered," all eventually
becoming arena staples and making the band one of the late-'70s top concert draws.
Additional highlights are the unexpected breezy jazz ballad "You Make Me Feel Right
at Home," plus the untamed rockers "Stormtroopin'" and "Queen of the Forest." Nugent
himself hails Ted Nugent as his best work, and with good reason. It's an essential
hard rock classic. [Note: As with Nugent's other 1999 reissues, an insightful essay
on this Nugent era by journalist Gary Graff is included, plus bonus tracks.]
- Greg Prato, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162120747/0521975.rar
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General Information
-----------------------------
Artist...............: SCORPIONS
Album................: In Trance
Released.............: 1975
Genre................: Heavy Metal
Duration.............: 36:30
Number of Songs......: 10
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 192
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
-----------------------------
Release Notes
-----------------------------
Track Listing:
01-Dark Lady-03:24
02-In Trance ***** -04:42
03-Life's Like A River-03:48
04-Top Of The Bill-03:23
05-Living And Dying-03:18
06-Robot Man-02:41
07-Evening Wind-05:01
08-Sun In My Hand-04:20
09-Longing For Fire-02:41
10-Night Lights-03:12
Album Review:
The Scorpions' third release, In Trance, continues to display their high-energy
music, which is impossible to ignore. With the eyebrow-lifting "Dark Lady" as
the opening track, the album immediately captures the listener's attention and
keeps it all the way until the end. The interesting title track is clearly the
best song of the album, but singles such as the fast-paced "Robot Man" and the
hard-rocking "Top of the Bill" also stand out as highlights. Excellent singing
and powerful music make this the best Scorpions recording working with Uli Jon
Roth.
- Barry Weber, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162120710/0511975.rar
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General Information
-----------------------------
Artist...............: Rush
Album................: Fly By Night
Release Date.........: Feb 15, 1975
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Heavy)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 8
Duration.............: 00:37:50 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320 HQ
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
-----------------------------
Release Notes
-----------------------------
Track Listing:
01. Anthem (4:26)
02. Best I Can (3:28)
03. Beneath, Between And Behind (3:04)
04. By-Tor And The Snowdog (8:39)
I) At the Tobes of Hades
II) Across the Styx
III) Of the battle
IV) Epilogue
05. Fly By Night (3:22)
06. Making Memories (3:05)
07. Rivendell (5:00)
08. In The End (6:46)
Album Review:
Prior to one of Rush's first U.S. tours, original drummer John Rutsey split from
the band, since he wasn't prepared to commit to the band's rigorous touring schedule.
And it proved to be a blessing in disguise, since his replacement was to become one
of the most respected rock drummers of all time, Neil Peart, who would also steer
the band towards success with more challenging material -- starting with Fly by Night.
While the title track and the album-closing ballad, "In the End," still had Zeppelin roots,
the album isn't as straightforward as the debut. Rush's first bona-fide classic, "Anthem,"
is included, while the over eight-minute "By-Tor and the Snow Dog" helped pave the way for
the group's future epics ("2112," "Cygnus X-1," etc.), and introduced the fans to Peart's
imaginative lyric writing, often tinged with science fiction themes. The reflective and
melodic "Making Memories" is an underrated early composition, while "Beneath, Between, & Behind"
is a furious heavy rocker. Fly by Night may not be one of Rush's finest albums, but it is
one of their most important -- it showed that the young band was leaving their Zep-isms behind
in favor of a more challenging and original direction.
- Greg Prato, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162112614/0501975.rar
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General Information
-----------------------------
Artist...............: Rush
Album................: Caress of Steel
Release Date.........: Sep 1975
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Heavy)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 5
Duration.............: 00:45:00 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: CBR 320 HQ
Channels.............: Joint Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
-----------------------------
Release Notes
-----------------------------
Track Listing:
01. Bastille Day (4:40)
02. I think I'm Going Bald (3:41)
03. Lakeside Park (4:10)
04. The Necromancer: 12:32
I) Into The Darkness
II) Under The Shadow
III) Return Of The Prince
05. The Fountain Of Lamneth: 19:57
I) In The Valley
II) Didacts And Narpets
III) No One At The Bridge
IV) Panacea
V) Bacchus Plateau
VI) The Fountain
Album Review:
When Rush finished their third album, Caress of Steel, the trio was assured that they
had created their breakthrough masterpiece. But when the album dropped off the charts
soon after its release, it proved otherwise. While it was Rush's first release that fully
explored their prog rock side, it did not contain the catchy and more traditional elements
of their future popular work -- it's quite often too indulgent and pretentious for a
mainstream rock audience to latch onto. And while Rush would eventually excel in composing
lengthy songs, the album's two extended tracks -- the 12-and-a-half-minute "The Necromancer"
and the nearly 20-minute "The Fountain of Lamneth" -- show that the band was still a ways off
from mastering the format. The first side contains two strong and more succinct tracks,
the raging opener, "Bastille Day," and the more laid-back "Lakeside Park," both of which would
become standards for their live show in the '70s. But the ill-advised "I Think I'm Going Bald"
(which lyrically deals with growing old) borders on the ridiculous, which confirms that
Caress of Steel is one of Rush's more unfocused albums.
- Greg Prato, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162110683/0491975.rar
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General Information
-----------------------------
Artist...............: RAINBOW
Album................: Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow
Released.............: May 1975
Genre................: Heavy Metal
Duration.............: 37:09
Number of Songs......: 9
Cover(s) Included....: Yes
Audio Format.........: MP3
Bitrate..............: VBR -V2 192
Hz...................: 44,100
Channels.............: Joint Stereo
Source...............: CD
-----------------------------
Release Notes
-----------------------------
Track Listing:
01. "Man on the Silver Mountain" – 4:41
02. "Self Portrait" – 3:17
03. "Black Sheep of the Family" (Steve Hammond) – 3:22
04. "Catch the Rainbow" – 6:31
05. "Snake Charmer" – 4:33
06. "The Temple of the King" – 4:45
07. "If You Don't Like Rock 'n' Roll" – 2:37
08. "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" – 3:31
09. "Still I'm Sad" – 3:52
Album Review:
Perhaps the first example of "dragon rock" — a style perfected by bands like Iron Maiden and Dio in the early to mid-'80s — was Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow, a rather pretentious 1975 collection from the guitarist's first post-Deep Purple project. Fittingly enough, a young Ronnie James Dio provides the goblin-like frontman presence required by the increasingly baroque Blackmore. The young Dio is at his best when he fully gives in to his own and Blackmore's medieval fantasy leanings, in hard-rocking tracks like "Sixteenth Century Greensleeves" and "Man on the Silver Mountain." The dark, trudging doom rock of "Self Portrait" most clearly showcases what they were capable of. The album's ponderous lyrics are occasionally punctuated by poetic phrases such as "crossbows in the firelight." Rainbow become a true embarrassment when they try to lighten up and boogie down. "If You Don't Like Rock ]n' Roll" is really an abomination, a pale imitation of second-rate radio-rockers like BTO. Although Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow provides a few listenable tracks, its primary value is historical. Look to Rainbow's next album, Rainbow Rising (1976), to grasp the heavy metal potential that is only hinted at here.
- David Kent-Abbott, All Music Guide
http://rapidshare.com/files/162107521/0481975.rar
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General Information
-----------------------------
Artist...............: Manfred Mann's Earth Band
Album................: Nightingales and Bombers
Year.................: 1975
Genre................: Progressive Rock (Eclectic)
Source...............: CD
Number of Songs......: 8
Duration.............: 00:37:55 min
Audio Format.........: MP3
Encoder..............: LAME 3.97
Bitrate..............: CBR 192 HQ
Channels.............: Stereo / 44,100 hz
Tags.................: ID3 v1.1, ID3 v2.3
Included.............: M3U, Covers
-----------------------------
Release Notes
-----------------------------
Track Listing:
1. Spirits In The Night ***** 6:26
2. Countdown 3:06
3. Time Is Right 6:32
4. Crossfade 3:39
5. Visionary Mountains 5:42
6. Nightingales And Bombers 4:54
7. Fat Nelly 3:20
8. As Above So Below 4:16
Album Review:
The album that was Manfred Mann's commercial breakthrough was a departure from the previous
albums made with the Earth Band. Though the personnel are the same and the musicianship is
as mind blowing as ever, the songs are shorter and punchier, in some cases more poppy.
This is not to say that the band had sacrificed a bit of ingenuity or complexity, but
the long jams are gone in favor of briefer sound portraits. The perfect example is the
cover of "Blinded by the Light" by a then obscure songwriter named Bruce Springsteen.
A listen to the original version, a rambling stream-of-consciousness piece reminiscent
of early Dylan, doesn't hint at the delightfully bizarre possibilities Mann and the Earth Band
extracted from the tune. Taking a piece of folk-rock, giving it a cool, spooky delivery,
and adding a full-band treatment created an uncategorizable masterpiece. It was a number one
hit for Mann and a major career boost for its author, and Mann released Springsteen covers
on several subsequent albums. A second single from the album, "Time Is Right," also charted,
becoming one of the only pieces written in 10/4 time ever to do so. Nightingales and Bombers
featured in almost every "Best of the Year" list for 1975. Justifiably so -- though attention
at the time was naturally on the hits, the rest of the album features a mix of good originals
and eccentric covers, inspired playing, and tight, focused arrangements. The album stands up
to repeated listening decades after it was created, and though fans of the more expansive
progressive phase may prefer earlier works, they will generally allow the excellence of this one.
(The name of the album was once regarded as a possible drug reference, but it is actually taken
from a nature recording made during World War II. An ornithologist who was trying to record
birdcalls captured not only the sound of birds, but also of incoming enemy aircraft.
That recording is used in the track "As Above, So Below," and gives it an eerie character.)
Richard Foss, All Music Guide.
http://rapidshare.com/files/162105385/0471975.rar
