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THE REVIEW
Progressive, this unknown... Yes, the Audience, who in 1971 released an enigmatic album from the cover onward, signed by the famous Hypgnosis studio: the interior of a 1940s house with a detective questioning the femme fatale of the moment and, on the back, the butler dragging away a corpse.
They were a group that almost always played unplugged, with the acoustic guitar of singer Howard Werth and the winds of Keith Gemmell supported by bass and drum rhythms. After two honest albums, they hit the jackpot with this "House on the Hill" just while progressive was booming, and thus they are still forcibly classified in this field today.
But something doesn't add up: the compositions are "short" compared to the endless suites of other champions of the genre, Howard Werth's voice is powerful, they open for Led Zeppelin concerts.
More than my nonsense, listen to the album: "I Had a Dream" sounds like a knocking on heaven's door played by Creedence... "Eye to Eye" is pure Jethro Tull in both the use of the voice and flute... "House on the Hill" with its prog jazz opening and Van der Graaf-like sax... "Jackdaw" with Werth's vocal openings as if he were Chris Cornell... "Raviolè" a refined instrumental based on classical guitar accompanied by the strings of the London Symphony Orchestra... the strange cover of "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins.
Progressive?.... mmmm... just like the cover: this is art rock!
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Summary by Bot
Audience's 1971 album 'The House On The Hill' stands out as a unique art rock release featuring acoustic textures and strong vocals. While often labeled progressive rock, its shorter compositions and stylistic nuances align more with art rock. The album features comparisons to Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jethro Tull, and Van der Graaf Generator, showcasing a rich mix of influences. Iconic artwork by Hypgnosis complements the enigmatic and sophisticated music.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Audience
Audience are an English art rock band formed in London in 1969 by Howard Werth, Keith Gemmell, Trevor Williams, and Tony Connor. Known for acoustic-led arrangements and prominent woodwinds, they released four studio albums between 1969 and 1972 on Polydor and Charisma, including the acclaimed The House on the Hill (produced by Gus Dudgeon, cover by Hipgnosis). The band reunited in the 2000s and was active again from 2004 to 2013.02 Reviews
