ANDROMEDA

Anyonewho is a fan of ATOMIC ROOSTER needs to check this album out. John Du Cann is the guitarist on this ANDROMEDA record and when it didn't become a commercial success he left to join ATOMIC ROOSTER. Both bands played a similar hard rocking style but ANDROMEDA were a trio with no organ. This band was one of the early prog bands as this was released in 1969. When I first heard it my initial reaction was that it sounded dated, but that really is it's charm. It does have a psychedelic flavour to it, but really this is often heavy, bordering on Metal at times. I can't believe how good this lead guitarist is though. A lot of times it's just a shred-fest. The bass is very upfront as well.

"Too Old" opens with some scorching guitar before the drums and bass join in on this uptempo rocker. The bass is prominant. Vocals after 1 1/2 minutes. More excellent guitar after 4 minutes. "Day Of The Change" is a mid paced tune that starts slowly. A fairly catchy, straight forward song. The tempo picks up 2 1/2 minutes in as we get some ripping guitar and throbbing bass. We're back to the original melody a minute later. Cool tune."And Now The Sun Shines" is a relaxing ballad-like tune. "Turns To Dust" is a more energetic track with vocals, as the guys play fairly behind him and over top of him. Haha. Check out the guitar after 3 minutes, and the absolutely blistering solo 5 1/2 minutes in.

"Return To Sanity" opens with marching-like drums as the sound starts to build as bass and guitar join in. It stops after 2 minutes as a new more relaxing melody arrives. Vocals after 3 minutess. The ripping guitar with pounding drums is contrasted with the relaxing passages to end the song. "The Reason" features aggressive guitar coming and going throughout. I really like this one. "I Can Stop The Sun" is a mellow track with fragile vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonies. "When To Stop" is the 8 1/2 minute closer. A powerful intro is replaced by a light melody of guitar, bass and light drums. Vocals join in. It gets powerful again as this contrast continues. I love the guitar before 4 minutes that trades solos with the bass until they join forces .Nice. The last section features Spanish sounding guitar melodies in a pastoral ending.

There are 8 bonus tracks.The first is significant "Go Your Way" as it was the first single the band released on RCA. I also really like the blazing instrumental "Exodus". An excellent record that may appeal to those fans of power trios. This is one of the earliest.