This 2004 reissue of the first Atomic Roooster LP bests all prior pressings -- domestic and import alike -- with flawless digital remastering, the resurrection of the original running order, as well as five significant bonus sides. The trio of
Vince Crane (organ/vocals),
Carl Palmer (drums), and eventually Nick Graham (vocals/bass) had formed out of
the Crazy World of Arthur Brown, where both
Crane and
Palmer had played key roles on the chart-topping single "Fire." As the former had been
Arthur Brown's musical director, it is fitting that he penned the vast majority of the
Rooster's initial outing. The songs reflect the author's darker and at times fatalistic demeanor, most directly in the repetitive "What is the point of going on?" chorus that distinguishes the incongruously delicate folkie and pastoral "Winter," or the sardonic sexual superiority of "And So to Bed." These stylistically contrast the forceful "Friday 13th," "S.L.Y.," and "Before Tomorrow." Equally divergent are the horn-driven "Broken Wings" and incendiary jazz fusion workout "Decline and Fall." The latter is an interesting departure as it provides each musician an opportunity to interact with substantive fluidity. When Elektra Records added
Atomic Rooster to its roster,
Palmer had already flown the proverbial coop, replaced by
Paul Hammond (drums), while John Cann (guitar/vocals) had taken Graham's place. Such a considerable shift in personnel convinced the band to have Cann record guitar parts overtop of "S.L.Y." and "Before Tomorrow," as well as redo the lead vocal for "Friday 13th." In North America the album was released with a completely different feel, which was undoubtedly as much a result of the reconfigured tune stack as it was the additions and/or subtractions. The 2004 edition of Atomic Roooster includes the U.S. version(s) of all three and two tunes from a rare BBC Radio appearance by the incipient incarnation performing "Friday 13th" and the not-yet-released "Seven Lonely Streets" (aka "Seven Streets"), which surfaced on the follow-up LP,
Death Walks Behind You (1970). [Castle's 2004 reissue has five bonus tracks.] ~ Lindsay Planer