THE ROTTERS' CLUB

I never really look forward to listening to this album due to the cover, but each time I do I'm pleasantly surprised. It's a fun-filled bouncy castle ride where you can bash your head off the walls and never get hurt.

Very uplifting and musically complex from the outset, 'The Rotters Club' sports quite a variety of manoeuvres, twists and turns where everything is underpinned by the superb Dave Stewart - one time keyboardist of 'Egg'. The vocals by Richard Sinclair are initially a bit annoying with his apparent random notes and hippy sensibilities, but most definitely grow on you as the album progresses.

You can hear many elements throughout that may remind you strongly of the player's former bands. ie: Caravan, Egg and Matching Mole. The seeds are sown here for the other upcoming supergroup success - 'National Health' in 1976.

'The Rotters Club' is a very busy album with a whole lot going on at any one time. It sounds VERY 70's but in a light hearted and artistic manner. My ears always respond to the majestic keyboards of Dave Stewart who singlehandedly raises this from 3 stars to 4. Special mention also has to be made to the wonderful female backing vocals which sound fantastic during the few instances in which they're used.

A mostly exceptional album that is sullied by a slightly embarrassing sleeve. Still it could have been much worse. It could have looked like the similar but far worse androgynous "Andy Nogger" by 'Kraan' - Yeeucch!