In some circles this record has a reputation as a bit of a lost classic as there is a certain type of person who just loves this kind of vaguely psychedelic rock music from the late ’60s.
But for those os us who aren’t obsessed with the era, there isn’t a lot here beyond one Ted Nugent.
Nugent, for all his faults as a person, is one hell of a guitarist. I can’t speak for the rest of his career, but here he stands out of one of the more interesting American rock guitarists of his era, often taking his leads and solos on the road less traveled and sounding rather unconcerned with most (but far from all) rock solo conventions. It’s very clear that Nugent has been listening to both the Yardbirds and Hendrix – he actually quotes Hendrix at one point – and though not original as either guitarist, he’s still way more out there than so many of his contemporaries.
If only I liked the music more. The cover selection is not great (do we really need another version of “Baby Please Don’t Go”) and is often straight-up minus Nugent’s playing.
And the original songs are pretty damn weak with few of them standing out among the morass of vaguely psychedelic blues rock songs of the era.
Can’t say I love the singer either.
6/10
You know who they remind me of? The Yardbirds circa summer 1966, only less daring. And more American.
- “Baby, Please Don’t Go” (Big Joe Williams) – 5:35
- “I Feel Free” (Jack Bruce, Pete Brown) – 3:42
- “Young Love” (Ted Nugent, Steve Farmer) – 2:45
- “Psalms of Aftermath” (Nugent, Farmer) – 3:19
- “Colors” (Nugent, Farmer, Rick Lober, Bill White) – 3:20
- “Let’s Go Get Stoned” (Valerie Simpson, Nick Ashford, Jo Armstead) – 4:24
- “Down on Philips Escalator” (Nugent, Farmer) – 3:00
- “The Lovely Lady” (Farmer) – 2:58
- “Night Time” (Nugent, Farmer) – 3:11
- “It’s Not True” (Pete Townshend) – 2:42
- “Gimme Love” (Nugent, Farmer) – 2:43
- John (J.B.) Drake – vocals
- Ted Nugent – guitar
- Steve Farmer – guitar
- Rick Lober – piano, organ
- Dave Palmer – drums
- Bill White – bass