GOD'S CLOWN

4.5 stars. This is one of the few albums on this site that I would have loved to have owned back in my AC/DC loving days as a youth. They are a four piece from France and these guys rock hard. The singer has no boundaries, he's awesome with those higher pitched vocals bringing 70's Geddy and BUDGIE's Burke Shelley to mind. Robert Plant as well with the way he holds a note and those rebel yells all the blues tradition. The guitarist is all over this and is inventive and while I don't always like his ideas the man is talented and the leader of this band also adding synths which is cool and unexpectant.

The only other review is from Sagi also rating this 4.5 stars but bumping it up which I admit was tempting, the love is strong for this one. The cover art and album's title all add to the legend that is OCEAN. They would release another album in 1981 with a different drummer which has been described as AC/DC-like but I haven't heard it. On this album the guitarist keeps going to the lower range bringing RUSH's and LED ZEPPELIN's debuts to mind. He also plays in an intricate fast paced style at times that I'm not a huge fan of but look I have a lot of respect for this guy.

Those down-tuned guitar moments and spacey synths show up on the opener "Sunny Days" a 7 1/2 minute tour de force. That is what I call starting an album on the right foot. "Strange Rain" is creepy to start with the chanting before ripping vocals start to come and go along with powerful outbursts. It settles into a groove and the chanting steps aside. Check out the vocals at 2 1/2 minutes. "Love Is Blind" is short and catchy with the vocals here bringing Cody and CROWN LANDS to mind. Head bobbing music.

"The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner" opens with heavy drums as bass then some yells before the guitar solos for an extended period of time. "From Death To Life" starts quiet but man we get hit hard with those vocals and a light show with the guitar late. "Fields Of Pain" sounds amazing with the depth of sound, the repeated guitar melody and the vocals. Spacey synths too and oh the guitar gets to those lower ranges like on the opener. Incredible tune for the vocals and guitar. "The Juggler" is heavy with vocals and some more amazing guitar. "With The Sound I Can Escape" ends the album in a similar manner to the way it all started with that opener.

Not a perfect album by any means but man this is a blast to say the least. I felt young for a while there.