Roby86

Even though it heavily winks at MTV and similar outlets (for the time, that is), I consider it an excellent album. The ZZ touch remains unmistakable, even during their more commercial period!

Having listened... I can only confirm your impressions, and consequently your rating. A definitely well-executed album, with a very varied sound yet at the same time very cohesive. An excellent listen, without a shadow of a doubt!

Great review Shoot, as always... the proposal seems very valid and interesting (as usual, I haven't even heard it mentioned). I'll take care of it as soon as possible.

Very interesting... I want to listen to it! I join the others in welcoming you to DeBaser!

@Pibroch (comment 8): your sentence has been halved, let’s say I’m granting you a little amnesty! Even if the comparison with Why remains nothing short of criminal!! Hahaha! But sure, full pardon! -- @Green (c.18): in my opinion, Shaw is excellent on his material (as it should be), but he is also very versatile in re-singing the tracks from the Byron era. I’m referring to the "Remasters" collection, which is exclusively made up of studio re-recordings... in my view, Shaw's voice fits better in the soft atmosphere of "The Easy Road" (same goes for "Come Away Melinda"). Whereas the others, there’s just no comparison: another couple at most can hold their own, but on average the originals are undeniably better -- @Pibroch (c.19): you hit the nail on the head with what I meant to say!

Great review Pib, as usual... but I slightly disagree. In my opinion, this album barely reaches three stars: it’s too uneven! On one hand, we have some standout tracks like the dreamy "Wonderworld" and "Dreams," along with "I Won't Mind" and the gritty "Suicidal Man" and "So Tired." "The Easy Road" is good too (though I think it’s more suitable in the reinterpretation with Shaw on vocals)... on the other hand, there’s a handful of mediocre songs, among which stands out the nauseating tail of "The Shadow And The Wind" (a recipe for instant diabetes!) and the terrible "We Got We" (not to mention "Why," Pibroch! An absolutely outrageous comparison haha!), one of the worst songs the UH have produced in their nearly 40-year career!

It must be an interesting rarity for collectors: however, if even you, who are a die-hard Tull fan (much worse than I am... and I'm already at quite a decent level of Tull fanaticism, ahahaha!), give it only two stars... I'll leave it to the completists! As the previous comment emphasizes, it is absolutely right to seek the historical roots of your favorite bands!

Great review, Antonio... the album positively impressed me from the first listen, and each time I revisit it, my satisfaction grows. - Emerson seems to have made a fantastic comeback with tracks that pack a surprising punch: "Malambo" above all... as you also suggest. Other excellent moments include "Last Horizon," the atypical (for Emersonian standards) "A Place To Hide," the "Finale," and "The Art Of Falling Down." - Of course, the material on the CD is abundant (a whopping 19 tracks) and it's only natural that here and there there are a few fillers... but one forgives them gladly.

Excellent review that gets straight to the point... clear and concise. However, I would like to partially disagree, as I believe this album has been described too harshly (more by the comments than by the review, to be honest!). It should be judged for what it is... it’s not a proper album. It's simply a collection of out-takes (for example, "Tiger In A Spotlight" circulated as early as '72, with different lyrics and title) and b-sides (see "Brain Salad Surgery"), and it's obvious that the quality level can't be at its peak and the cohesion between tracks tends towards zero. - Some songs are enjoyable (to those mentioned, I would add "When The Apple...", "Show Me The Way To Go Home" and the excellent classics "Maple Leaf Rag" and "Honky Tonk Train Blues"), others less so... but with a bit of effort, one can reach a satisfactory level.

Great review... they are legendary, but right now the album is eluding me. I still have little material from Grand Funk...