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Rating: Atomic Rooster emerged at the dawn of Prog Rock. Known for their constant lineup changes, they often risked fading into obscurity. The original lineup included Vincent Crane on keyboards, Nick Graham on bass/vocals, and Carl Palmer (already with Crane in the Crazy World Of Arthur Brown) on drums. Their debut album is simply named "Atomic Rooster." The album is considered one of the highest peaks of their production. Additionally, there is a "Deluxe" version of this record with Bonus Tracks that include some pieces already on the album but with different arrangements and "BBC Radio" recordings.
It starts with "Friday 13th," perhaps the most popular track on the whole record. Catchy riff and full of energy vocals. The bass blends well with the Hammond and piano. Overall, it's a very lively track. "And So To Bed" compared to the previous track is less energetic. The keyboard once again takes the forefront, Graham infuses his voice with particular energy, and the bass and drums sync well together. Throughout its duration, the track repeats the same loops, but in its entirety, it's a good composition. "Broken Wings" is a whole different journey. It's a Blues, introduced by "announcing" trumpets. Essential elements of this track are, as always, the Hammond keyboard primarily, the bass, and the vocals. But the drums also contribute significantly. "Before Tomorrow" is a completely instrumental piece. It's needless to say that the keyboard is in charge here as well, supported by a marked drum and linear bass. There's also an interlude dominated by the flute. With the fifth track, "Banstead" returns to vocals. The voice is guided by the keyboard, which also sets a path for the bass, which diverges from the stanza in interesting ways. Beyond this, the track is supported by the same harmonic keyboard loop accentuated by Graham's voice. "S. L. Y." is the only track on the album featuring the electric guitar. This track is not inferior to previous compositions. It's one of those tracks that sticks in your mind after a couple of listens, for its "obsessive" verse. In "Winter," calmness and delicacy reign supreme. The voice and the flute provide significant contributions, both in the initial and central part. Palmer does a great job on percussion, perfectly in line with the flute. "Decline And Fall" majestically closes the album. The bass seems to be the key to this track... at least in the beginning, until Crane's Hammond comes in. The piece is a "stage" for Palmer, giving us one of his memorable drum solos. It's followed by a blend of bass, keyboard, and drums, leading up to the vocal part, making us believe this composition was only instrumental.
Personally, I see Atomic Rooster's style as more akin to early Deep Purple and E, L&P (for the overly daring keyboards) rather than as always thought to Black Sabbath. To absorb this album, it only takes two listens... at most three. The record easily gets into your head for its frenetic rhythms and equally obsessive verses.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 And So to Bed (04:12)
And So To Bed
(Vincent Crane)
Want Me,Take Me,Need Me -It's All In Your Mind.
Love Me,Hold Me,Want Me -Hoping I'll Be Kind.
You Think That Up Here I'm So Special.
But Put In A Crowd I Would Be Just Like You.
You Think To Be With Me, Would Make A Change In You.
You Think To Be With Me,You're Special Too.
Want Me,Need Me,Take Me, - It's All In Your Mind.
Love Me,Hold Me,Want Me, - Hoping I'll Be Kind.
You Don't Want Me,You Don't Need Me,
All You Need Is Sex With Fame.
You Don't Want Me,You Don't Need Me,
All You Need Is Sex With Fame.
Want Me,Need Me,Take Me, - It's All In Your Mind.
You Want A Group Each Night - Tonight You Want Me.
You Think That Up Here I'm Something So Special,
But Put In A Crowd I Would Be Just Like You.
You Think To Be With Me Would Make A Change In You.
You Think To Be with Me ,You're Special Too.
Want Me,Need Me,Love Me, - It's All In Your Mind.
You Want A Group Each Night - Tonight You Want Me.
You Don't Want Me,You Don't Need Me,
All You Need Is Sex With Fame.
You Don't Want Me,You Don't Need Me,
All You Need Is Sex With Fame.
03 Winter (06:57)
Spring Is Past - Winter's Coming On.
Summer's Dead - Winter's Coming On.
All Of My Hopes For The Future Now Are Gone.
All Of My Battle's Are Lost, For Time Has Won.
Where Is Hope - Winter's Coming On.
Here Is Fear - Winter's Coming On.
Look In The Mirror And All I See Is Time.
Stare At The Remnant Of Life That Once Was Mine.
Killed By Time.
What Is The Point Of Going On?
What Is The Point Of Going On?
And On, And On, And On?
Spring Is Past - Winter's Coming On.
Summer's Dead - Winter's Coming On.
Look In The Mirror And All I See Is Time.
Stare At The Remnant Of Life That Once Was Mine.
Killed By Time.
What Is The Point Of Going On?
What Is The Point Of Going On?
And On, And On, And On, And On.
What Is The Point Of Going On?
What Is The Point Of Going On?
And On, And On, And On?
04 Decline and Fall (05:49)
I Feel A Hunger Tonight - To Break For Me.
I'll See Fame At My Door.
I Seem Unreasoned Tonight - And Sore.
I'll See The Crowd As They Pack The Hall.
I'll See The Crowd As They Turn Away.
Who Will Catch Me As I Fall?
As I Fall, As I Fall, As I Fall.
Who Will Catch Me As I Fall?
Who Will Catch Me As I Fall?
05 Banstead (03:29)
Banstead
(Vincent Crane/Carl Palmer/Nick Graham)
Please,Take Me Out Of This Place,
Yeah, I Know I'm Never Gonna Learn.
Please,Take Me Out Of This Place,
What I Do With My Life Is My Own Concern.
Please,Take Me Out Of This Place,
For I'll Swear You'll Never See Me Here Again.
Please Take Me Out Of This Place,
Though I Know This Life Is Driving Me Insane.
Please,Take Me Out Of This Place,
Yeah, I Know I'm Never Gonna Learn.
Please,Take Me Out Of This Place,
What I Do With My Life Is My Own Concern.
06 S.L.Y. (04:45)
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
I Want You,I Want You Baby.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
Yes I Do.
I Want You, I'll Get You In The End.
I Want You, I'll Get You In The End.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
Yes I Do, Yes I Do.
Ahhh Hear Me, I Want You By My Side.
Yeah Baby, I Need You By My Side.
Baby Yeah, I Need Your Love So Bad.
Yeah Baby, I Want Your Love So Bad.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
Yes I Do, Yes I Do.
Yeah Baby, I Want You By My Side.
Ahhh Hear Me Talkin' To Ya.
I Want You, I Need You Baby, Baby I Need Your Love.
Ahhh, My, My, My.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
I Want You, I Want You Baby.
Yes I Do.
I Want You, I'll Get You In The End.
I Want You, I'll Get You In The End.
I Want You, I'll Get You Baby.
Yes I Will, Yes I Will.
Ahhh Baby, Need Your Love So Bad.
Yeah Baby, I Need Your Love So Bad.
Ahhh Baby, Tell Me You're My One.
Ahhh, My, My, My.
07 Broken Wings (05:50)
Broken Wings*
(John Mayall)
Somebody Broke Your Wings - Little Bird, - You Can't Fly.
Somebody Broke Your Wings - Beat 'Em Down, Beat 'Em Down,
And Then, And Then, And Then And Die.
And The Love I Have To Give,
I'll Be Givin' You In Years Of My Life.
Somebody Is To Blame - Can't You See I Love You So,
I Love You So, Ahhh, - God Almighty, - How I Love You.
Somebody Is To Blame - Can't You See,
Can't You See I Love You So.
And The Love I Had To Give,
I'll Be Givin' You In Years Of My Life
Somebody Is To Blame - Can't You See, - That I Love You So.
Oh, Oh,! Oh Baby I Love You, Yeah, WhyI Love You So.
Somebody Is To Blame - Can't You See,
Can't You See I Love You
Ahhh Baby I Love You.
And The Love I Had To Give,
I'll Be Givin' In Years Of My Life.
Yeah, I'll Be Givin' You InYears.
Ahhh!!
Yeah!!
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