MOONTAN

This album from Golden Earring has many enjoyable elements that would appeal to lovers of progressive rock. It also has many moments that won't. I like several moments here (and two songs), but I'm not convinced that this is a prog-related masterpiece.

"Candy's Going Bad" Wah pedal, organ, and energetic vocals give a hard rocking performance. The ending features a groove of guitar harmonics, piano, and eerie sounds.

"Are You Receiving Me" Psychedelic guitar leads into a thudding bass and drum riff that sits underneath a solid vocal harmony. The brass and vocals are powerful, but the interlude is especially cool. Golden Earring has a solid bass player, and that comes into play in the middle of the track, which features bizarre guitar and light cymbal work. The saxophone is a great addition here.

"Suzy Lunacy (Mental Rock)" This is a typical blues rock tune, like what ELP would interject into their albums.

"Radar Love" My favorite song from Golden Earring is admittedly such because of FM radio. It's a great song with vocals that are just so much fun to sing along to on the road with a gripping little bass line. I love the shuffling drums, the thudding bass, the bluesy guitar leads, the soulful vocals, and the wonderful interlude. Had a lot of fun with this one on the road.

"Just Like Vince Taylor" A 1950s rocker, this may make one do the twist despite the Elvis similarities revolving around a tragic death.

"The Vanilla Queen" This last song is somewhat psychedelic, but mostly another straightforward rocker. It features a swell twelve-string guitar interlude. The lead guitar is high and up there. There is a bizarre middle section, with vocal strangeness all about. A bass and guitar comes in after. The final section is the most progressive element of the album, and perhaps the most appealing..