Diamond Head from Phil Manzanera (ex Roxy Music). If you liked Roxy Music, and are into Eno and Robert Wyatt, both of whom play on the album, you’ll like this.
Most people haven’t heard of the original Renaissance – they’re more familiar with the Annie Halsam version of the group.* The two leaders were Keith Relf and Jim McCarty after they left the Yardbirds. They added Louis Cennamo on bass and John Hawkin on piano. Keith’s sister Jane added vocals. The result it a melding of blues rock and classical that has never been topped.
The opened with “Kings and Queens” and the album doesn’t let up from there.
*Long story, but after their first album, there were a lot of shakeups and personnel changes; the Renaissance more people know have none of the original members.
BTW, the best “weirdest” rock album no Doper’s ever heard is The Wozard of Iz (Mort Garson). Unique when it came out. Over fifty years ago.
It’s actually available on TouYube.
People of an age remember “White Bird” and It’s A Beautiful Day, but very few have heard of their (much superior) follow-up album Marrying Maiden.
The Law of Devil’s Land by Loudness.
Tell you what. I know a few songs from that album. I’ll go ahead and listen to the whole thing, and then get back to you on which one is best.
My first response was “huh. I don’t know that album.” But then I realized that I OWN it.
Never listened to it enough to have it create the earworms that other YFF albums have laid on me. It’s kind of a headbanger, not really my thing.
I gotta go along with TroutMan…This One’s For the Ladies doesn’t have one bad track on it. In addition to the great “Picture Book” cover and “Taco Wagon,” there’s “Carrothead,” “Middle Man of Time,” and “When I’m Lonely Again.”
Whenever a question like this comes up, I always say “Hollywood Dream” by Thunderclap Newman. Thunderclap Newman - Hollywood Dream Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic
If all you know about Thunderclap Newman is their 1969 hit “Something in the Air,” this will be an eye-opener.
Another great group, known mostly by those in Chicago, Indianapolis and Gainesville, FL, is The Vulgar Boatmen. Their first album, “ You and Your Sister,” was excellent, but their follow up, “Please Panic,” was superb. The Vulgar Boatmen - Please Panic Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic.
Both are well worth seeking out.
Ednaswap- Wacko Magneto
Really, any Ednaswap album. Serious rock, seriously overlooked music.
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. The guy was a one-hit wonder back in the late 60s, but I bought his album at the PX in Vietnam just for the hell of it, and really liked it. But for a very long time afterward, any time I mentioned the guy, I just got blank looks. I’m sure others on this board know of the guy, but has anybody listened to the entire album?
Heh. I actually know that name, as the band who wrote “Torn” that was covered by Natalie Imbruglia. (And first released by a Danish singer – Lis Sørensen – in Danish as “Brændt” before being released by Ednaswap and then made a worldwide hit by Natalie Imbruglia.) I’ve heard their recording of “Torn” several times, but nothing else. (The Natalie Imbruglia version takes most of its musical cues from Sørensen). I’ll have to check out their other work.
I actually know the names Young Fresh Fellows and Ultra Vivid Scene, but couldn’t name a song by either of them. I also know Buck Pets, but that’s because I lived in Dallas when they briefly surfaced.
I will add the album “Wet Dreams” by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, which is hard to find.
I’m also tempted to add the “Duckstab/Buster and Glen” double-EP by The Residents because of Crafter Man’s avatar, but as great as it is, I fear it’s an acquired taste.
I am going to go with Spice Doubt by Ozric Tentacles.
Runners up are:
Space Ritual by Hawkwind
Age of Winters by The Sword
Suspended Animation by John Petrucci
From 1968, Touch. Name of the group and their only album. A terrific psychedelic and (early) Progressive Rock album that seemed to fly under a lot of people’s radar.
Well, somebody bought hundreds of his LPs and promptly sold them to second-hand record stores.
Seriously, I hit a lot of record shops and thrift stores (in Wisconsin, Chicago and all the small towns between). And I know I can walk into a random St. Vinnie’s and find Contribution, Second Contribution, Furthermore and at least two scratchy copies of *Collaboration. *
Was never tempted to listen to his stuff, though, until this thread. I’ll give him a listen.
Skin alley two quad two there other albums I heard wearnt so hot.
Someone mentioned. Talk is cheap by keith Richards I liked that abut.also Paul macartney
press to play.
A fine choice.
I’ve played Duck Stab so often that the laser has burned a hole in the CD. Fantastic album.
I’m going to make the assumption I am the only Doper who has played the followup album in its entirety: Eskimo.
I know that Clutch is familiar to at least a few of you, but: Pure Rock Fury. “Pure Rock Fury” is not an album title, it’s a description.
You can assume I listened to everything up to “Mark of the Mole” many times, and that still have all of them on vinyl, even though I have nothing to play them on.