LOADED

One of the pioneers of norwegian rock is for sure Aunt Mary. They are considered one of the best from this country and aswell one of the first who explore the hard rock territories with progressive elements. They released 3 albums in early '70's this one is from 1972 named Loaded. I know Aunt Mary for 2 years now and I was quite pleased to have their last two albums. Loaded is a hard rock album with some heavy prog leanings and for sure not an eclectic one as is stated here in the description of the band. Being similar with Jeronimo from Germany same period, Jerusalem or Junipher Greene their country fellows Aunt Mary did agood job on this second effort but nothing over the top, just almost plain hard rock all almost all the pieces. It was a typical album foor that period to combine hard rock with progressive elements, but in this case the progressive elements are only fiew and specially in keyboards department, who are to tell the truth not very adventurous. The album beggin very strong with an instrumental pieces Playthings of the wind, pure hard rock with some excellent guitar work and solid bass lines, one of the best from here for sure, the next piece Joinin the crowd is a bluesy kinda tune up tempo , good piece remind a lot of the old good times in rock music, great piece while nothing complicated here just pleasent . The rest of the pieces are ok, nothining groundbreaking but pleaset all of them. So a good album , far from being an essential listning but with some catchy riffs and solid bass lines and drum chops.3 stars