3:47 E.S.T. [AKA: KLAATU]

I remember back in the day as a teenager hearing about KLAATU on the radio and how many felt that they were THE BEATLES posing under a different name. All not true of course but it certainly helped in selling their albums. There are two songs on here that were on the radio here in Canada back then including the excellent "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft" along with "Sub Rosa Subway". I was more familiar with THE CARPENTERS version of the opening number which was faithful to the original and well done I must say. KLAATU were a trio with elements that made THE BEATLES comparisons inevitable including the vocals, harmonies and horns. There is a lot of variety on this album though and for my tastes not all of it works but I have to say overall that this is a solid debut album by this band.

"Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft" is such a great song with the subject matter, reserved vocals and horns early on as the mellotron rolls in. Love this song! "We are your friends" is a line that seems lame to me though. Processed vocals around 3 minutes followed by piano as it picks up. I like the vocal arrangements here. A calm after a dramatic section before 4 1/2 minutes. "California Jam" is BEACH BOYS-like just not nearly as good in my opinion. Harmonies galore. It's okay. "Anus Of Uranus" has silly lyrics and lots of abrasive guitar, it rocks pretty good. "Sub Rosa Subway" was the other song on the radio here back then and it's a feel good THE BEATLES-like tune with lots of horns and harmonies.

"True Life Hero"is an uptempo rocker, it's okay. "Doctor Marvello" is the other song besides the opener to have mellotron on it. It does have an interesting sound to it with the vocals, beat and mellotron. "Sir Bodsworth Rugglesby" reminds me of the lame and silly songs that ELP liked to throw on there albums. Not a fan at all. "Little Neutrino" is the longest tune at 8 1/2 minutes and it's different from anything else on here. An eerie start as processed vocals arrive after 1 1/2 minutes with strings, a beat and more. The processed vocals will continue throughout this experimental track.

This record reminds me of some of the best SAGA albums I have in that there are a few really good songs and a bunch of average or below tunes. Well worth the 3 stars of course and I will always enjoy "Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft".