Banki
02-24-2009, 03:17 AM
http://i35.tinypic.com/t514w1.jpg
1. Ocean of Power — 4:39
2. Wings on My Heart — 3:33
3. As Long as the World Keeps Turning — 3:38
4. Don't Ever Stray Away — 3:13
5. Things Change — 4:17
6. All Sewn Up — 3:40
7. Dream Me a Mountain — 3:31
8. Sunlight of My Mind — 4:54
9. Pyramids — 4:27
Experiencing some degree of success with You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw,
Spooky Tooth released another album later the same year, this time with original
drummer Mike Kellie back in the fold, making this album the closest that the
reformed band came to the classic line-up.
As one might be able to tell from Kellie's steady beat and Chris Stewart's bass
lines typical of early 70s rock in Britain that kick off the album, the general
Spooky Tooth formula of slow 'n' heavy remains largely the same as on the last
album.
I really like each of the first three tracks, starting off with the spiritual
"Ocean of Power." Lead vocalist Mike Harrison doesn't waste any time as he wails
in increasing intensity "See them laugh, see them laugh, see how they stare blind
at my feelin'!" With Wright's backing harmonies, the song is soon roaring through
its chorus with conviction. As he did on the last album's ballad ("Holy Water"),
Harrison also turns in another breathtaking vocal performance with "Wings on My
Heart." If this song were placed in the hands of the high profile mainstream pop
vocalists of today (e.g., your typical American Idol contestant), the results
would be Power Ballad Hell of the most intolerable kind; for the song by itself,
while beautiful musically, has lyrics that are admittedly sappy. Harrison's unique
rasp, however, seems out of a pure gospel tradition: bending and wrangling
through its struggle, powerful but never grandstanding. Just open, with no gimmicks.
It pretty much makes this song. As an aside, the guitar solo is very much in the
style of George Harrison (who was a friend of Wright's), giving the song an
additional Beatles quality. The song also reminds me of what Guns 'N' Roses was
shooting for in their ballads, and sometimes ("Patience," "Don't Cry") achieved.
Wright enters to take the lead vocals for "As Long as the World Keeps Turning";
again, lyrically nothing special (invisible boy-wants-desired girl), but musically
very catchy with great harmonies. I also like the intro piano, which has a slightly
'underwater' effect that I don't know was deliberate or accidental.
The album hits its first and only real snag with "Things Change," which sounds
uninspired musically and lyrically. "All Sewn Up" is better, but also pretty
standard. The final three songs, though, are a treat for fans with Harrison and
Wright sharing lead vocals and trading off verses, as they often did in the band's
earlier era. "Pyramids," co-written by drummer Mike Kellie (to this day, I've
never heard a bad tune with his involvement as a writer), brings a magnificent
and satisfying conclusion to the Spooky Tooth with both vocalists present and
accounted for, as both sing like they mean it. This is also one of the strongest
tunes of the album, marked by a thundering, ascending minor-key riff that repeats
throughout as Harrison and Wright question "I know where I'm going... but where
do I come from?"
Though often classed under the progressive rock banner, Spooky Tooth doesn't
really qualify (to my mind) as that. Think of these albums more as early 70s
British hard rock with fairly standard lyrics, etc., but if you are fan of that
style and period, being able to take it on those terms, you may find these to
be lost gems. All in all, I prefer You Broke My Heart... as stronger overall,
but this one is definitely worth it for its best tracks, which easily match the
best of what's on there. Witness also sounds like it was better recorded relative
to its predecessor.
If you download, please say thanks. This will help me to be able to keep
bringing you music, Thanks!
http://rapidshare.com/files/162304044/Spooky_Tooth_-Witness.rar
1. Ocean of Power — 4:39
2. Wings on My Heart — 3:33
3. As Long as the World Keeps Turning — 3:38
4. Don't Ever Stray Away — 3:13
5. Things Change — 4:17
6. All Sewn Up — 3:40
7. Dream Me a Mountain — 3:31
8. Sunlight of My Mind — 4:54
9. Pyramids — 4:27
Experiencing some degree of success with You Broke My Heart So I Busted Your Jaw,
Spooky Tooth released another album later the same year, this time with original
drummer Mike Kellie back in the fold, making this album the closest that the
reformed band came to the classic line-up.
As one might be able to tell from Kellie's steady beat and Chris Stewart's bass
lines typical of early 70s rock in Britain that kick off the album, the general
Spooky Tooth formula of slow 'n' heavy remains largely the same as on the last
album.
I really like each of the first three tracks, starting off with the spiritual
"Ocean of Power." Lead vocalist Mike Harrison doesn't waste any time as he wails
in increasing intensity "See them laugh, see them laugh, see how they stare blind
at my feelin'!" With Wright's backing harmonies, the song is soon roaring through
its chorus with conviction. As he did on the last album's ballad ("Holy Water"),
Harrison also turns in another breathtaking vocal performance with "Wings on My
Heart." If this song were placed in the hands of the high profile mainstream pop
vocalists of today (e.g., your typical American Idol contestant), the results
would be Power Ballad Hell of the most intolerable kind; for the song by itself,
while beautiful musically, has lyrics that are admittedly sappy. Harrison's unique
rasp, however, seems out of a pure gospel tradition: bending and wrangling
through its struggle, powerful but never grandstanding. Just open, with no gimmicks.
It pretty much makes this song. As an aside, the guitar solo is very much in the
style of George Harrison (who was a friend of Wright's), giving the song an
additional Beatles quality. The song also reminds me of what Guns 'N' Roses was
shooting for in their ballads, and sometimes ("Patience," "Don't Cry") achieved.
Wright enters to take the lead vocals for "As Long as the World Keeps Turning";
again, lyrically nothing special (invisible boy-wants-desired girl), but musically
very catchy with great harmonies. I also like the intro piano, which has a slightly
'underwater' effect that I don't know was deliberate or accidental.
The album hits its first and only real snag with "Things Change," which sounds
uninspired musically and lyrically. "All Sewn Up" is better, but also pretty
standard. The final three songs, though, are a treat for fans with Harrison and
Wright sharing lead vocals and trading off verses, as they often did in the band's
earlier era. "Pyramids," co-written by drummer Mike Kellie (to this day, I've
never heard a bad tune with his involvement as a writer), brings a magnificent
and satisfying conclusion to the Spooky Tooth with both vocalists present and
accounted for, as both sing like they mean it. This is also one of the strongest
tunes of the album, marked by a thundering, ascending minor-key riff that repeats
throughout as Harrison and Wright question "I know where I'm going... but where
do I come from?"
Though often classed under the progressive rock banner, Spooky Tooth doesn't
really qualify (to my mind) as that. Think of these albums more as early 70s
British hard rock with fairly standard lyrics, etc., but if you are fan of that
style and period, being able to take it on those terms, you may find these to
be lost gems. All in all, I prefer You Broke My Heart... as stronger overall,
but this one is definitely worth it for its best tracks, which easily match the
best of what's on there. Witness also sounds like it was better recorded relative
to its predecessor.
If you download, please say thanks. This will help me to be able to keep
bringing you music, Thanks!
http://rapidshare.com/files/162304044/Spooky_Tooth_-Witness.rar