Todd's first production is a bit of a rag-tag affair. I've read where Todd
explained that he ended up producing the album in the new studio at the
Record Plant in NYC because nobody else was around who knew how to run the
equipment. And sometimes it sounds as if Todd were having problems learning
the gear as well. It's an overly gimmicky production with phasing and
filtering all over the place. It's eq-ed in a typical Rundgren frequency
that sometimes makes it hard to listen to.
All that said, there are some solid performances on the album. Nick Jameson
is an excellent guitarist, and it's his playing that propels a majority of
these songs. You may remember Nick's stint with Foghat on the Fool For the
City album, where he was employed as bassist/producer. He also cut a couple
of solo albums, one on Bearsville in which he covered The American Dream
song, I Ain't Searchin'. The album opens with Good News, a song that
contains all of the elements of the band, pretty CS&N harmonies, straight
ahead garage rockin', and a loose humorous approach. These guys did not
take themselves seriously. Big Brother is a jingly-jangly Byrdsy-folk rocker
that is indeed about an Orwelian character. They do a credible cover of the
Righteous Brothers classic, My Babe, a colorful mid-tempo rocker, complete
with out of tune piano called Storm, and the highlight of the album, the
above mentioned I Ain't Searchin'. Coulda been a hit, with a better lead
vocal, and a more radio friendly production. But then again, Todd's never
been very radio friendly. They were good for just the one album, and that's
too bad. A sophomore effort would have been better. The rhythm section
ended up playing on Birthday Carol on Todd's 1st album.
Word of warning! Stay away from the CD available through Pony Canyon! It's
a horrible transfer in which someone was totally asleep at the wheel! It
sounds as if the tape gets slower and slower and slower, until the last
song, Raspberries, is barely going anywhere. Inexcusable! Seek out the
vinyl in a second hand store.
Bob Stroud
