DOG SOLDIER-DOG SOLDIER-

Sometimes the best intentions does fail to deliver. This outfit from Great Britain contains several key musicians during the British Bluesboom and drummer Keef Hartley form this band in the mid seventies and this is their sole release from 1975. The album contains a bunch of scattered songs with an effort to mix Hard/Prog/Blues/ AOR with a seasoning of British flavour. The story goes they where pressured to achieve an AOR album but the result is a none direction album with avarage good tunes with a flawless production with a great keyboard up front. The rhythm section is also top notch.

Compared to contemperary releases this album lacks the edge and drive to attract attention but it is all not bad except the coverart, what do you make out of a native American on an aircraft?? No song falls under the radar but at the same time there are no standout tune. The only real great effort is “Looks like rain” with a Bluesinspired touch of prog. Great!

Whatabout the drummer, Keef Hartley?? This fellow knows his way around the drumkit but this is with caution. The striking abilities are soft and the Dynamics are fine. The hit ratio and drive is avarage but a bit boring. The lack of direction on the album tend to set a piece of mind towards boring. To bad because there are some potential in here somewhere.

If you are interested in Hard/Prog/Blues/AOR rock Music this album will NOT be something to brag about but it does has its moments. It will take a few spins around the turntable to discover the hidden gems, foremost the keyboard passages. Not bad at all. There are good copies out there and I found mine at a local dealer for just 9 Euros in great shape. Excellent!

VINYLRATING/GRADE

5-OK!-WORTH EXPLORING-