LAST EXIT

More or less a throwaway album. After two great releases, Traffic was bound to fail sooner or later. It's not so much that the tracks are weak, but the decision to make the second side live is poor planning on whomever's part. Side A opens with "Just for You", a relatively standard Dave Mason number that would fit better on one of his solo albums. If you've never heard this one, compare it as if it were "Don't Be Sad" or "Cryin' To Be Heard" but a lot happier than the latter. Next comes "Shanghai Noodle Factory", on of the two tracks that keep this album afloat. I believe you can get it on the remastered TRAFFIC album, as you should because it is a hint of the future for Traffic. "Something's Got a Hold of My Toe" is a standard instrumental jam. Good, but nowhere near "Glad" from the future release JOHN BARLEYCORN MUST DIE. In a way, "Something" almost sounds unfinished. "Withering Tree" is OK, but not even as good as "Rainmaker" from LOW SPARK. "Tree" would fit in better if it were on the sad release WHEN THE EAGLE FLIES, something that the band could've re-done to make EAGLE suck a little less. Finally, we hear "Medicated Goo", the other track worth listening to more than twice. Hear it and listen to it forever. Chris Wood's sax is at it's best Pre-"Glad" performance. Then you hit side B, and it's like a kick to the groin. Both tracks are poorly recorded, but overall a step backwards for Traffic. Compared to CANTEEN or ON THE ROAD, these tracks would've done beast to stay in the studio. I can barely tell the difference between "Feelin' Good" and "Blind Man" with the exception of the organ in the opening of "Blind Man" anf Winwood's singing. Bottom Line: Pick up the Remastered TRAFFIC or any CD with "Shanghai" and "Goo" and try to forget that Last Exit ever happened.