FUTURAMA

"Futurama" is the second full-length studio album by UK rock act Be Bop Deluxe. The album was released through Harvest Records in July 1975. It was produced by Roy Thomas Baker (who among others also produced some of Queen´s albums). After the tour supporting Be Bop Deluxe´s June 1974 debut album "Axe Victim", frontman and guitarist William Nelson opted to dissolve the band and start over with a completely new lineup. Nelson recruited bassist Charlie Tumahai and drummer Simon Fox and the new trio lineup recorded the material featured on "Futurama".

Stylistically the material on "Futurama" is a bit more eclectic and at times even progressive leaning than the predominantly 60s UK blues rock influenced material from the debut album, although that sound is definitely still a dominant element of Be Bop Deluxe´s soundscape. Most tracks are are three minutes long vers/chorus structured rock songs, so it´s not because of adventurous song structures that Be Bop Deluxe are sometimes referred to as a progressive rock band, but it´s some of the songwriting ideas within these otherwise relatively normal vers/chorus structured songs, which are a bit more interesting than your every day regular rock album from those days. Again it´s more in the arrangements and the way some things are played and presented that Be Bop Deluxe sometimes border progressive rock lands. The two longer tracks featured on the album ("Sound Track" and "Swan Song") are the best examples of the band´s most progressive songwriting ideas and arrangements.

The musicianship is through the roof. These guys are incredibly well playing and although Nelson doesn´t have the most powerful or the most distinct sounding voice, he gets the job done pretty well. His guitar playing on the other hand is fantastic. He is such an intuitive and honest guitar player and it shines through every note he plays. The new rhythm section are well playing too and brings a lot of drive and power to the album. "Futurama" features an organic, powerful, and detailed sound production too, so all in all it´s a good quality sophomore studio album from Be Bop Deluxe, showing growth in the songwriting department and featuring some strong and powerful musical performances. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

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