KLAASSIC KLAATU

Anytime a favourite band of mine releases an anthology or best of, I usually wince at the choice of songs. It is a well known industry practice (the major label music biz, that is), that you try as best you can to have at least one song from each album. That way you hope to boost the sales of the lesser known releases. Or, you have a group with so many great songs, that it's really a turkey shoot, in that you have an overwhelming number of songs that absolutely should be there. In Klaatu's case, it a bit of both. I can't help it & The Love of a Woman represent the two lesser works out of Klaatu's releases. Both we're the lead off singles for albums that had better songs. They are both the stereotypical Beatle-ish sound that the group is declared guilty of. They are good, but not the best off the respective albums. Then, the 3rd album, Sir Army Suit has A Routine Day, and Everybody Took A Holiday. Again, Routine Day was the leading single, and the other tune is pretty good, but the true fan wonders why this over the others. OF course, 3:47 E.S.T., and Hope being the best known, and best, they take up the most space. We begin with their one true radio classic Calling Occupants. The three other tunes from the debut are great, but once more, the true fan is left wishing for other songs. Hope, being a concept album has 3 songs. We're off You Know, and Hope match anything the Moody Blues put out, and Around the Universe is a fine song. But you know on a 1 lp set, that you're not going to see the lengthy suites. NOW, if you're just looking for a casual overlook of Klaatu's music, this is a fine addition. But as I stated at the beginning, the song choice seems to have been done by the record company and not the band, or any true fan. A worthwhile purchase for those who love the more lush moments of the Moodies, or even the orchestral like works of the Beatles. Hopefully, you feel like a further look inside the treasure trove that this band has in great songs.