Classic Rock Album of the Day- Golden Earring - Moontan (1973) *** 1/2
I might get some gripes from some Kraftwerk fans, but this fare from Golden Earring in 1973 is IMO the greatest rock album made outside the Anglosphere (United States- U.K.- Canada-Australia) I've been wanting to share it for some time now but You Tube has invariably some how kept if off in its entirety. This band's legacy is pretty much isolated to the land of Ned, where they are held in awe as their version of their Rock royalty. In Holland they charted 18 top 10 albums from 1965-2012. But did no better than No. 12 here, and No. 24 in the U.K for this their only one of two successful albums outside their borders.
There are only 5 tracks on the U.S. version of the L.P., but all the songs are excellent. This is a early era prog-like album that almost fully is conceptualized upon the "bad girl" theme. And it is done to perfection. These guys play tight, and band members really pull their weight across the board nicely. This is a band with no glaring weakness, and they really got some very good prog-like chops. (Dear purist: don't shoot me.) They conduct these long numbers in a manner that are instrumentalized in perfect align with intent. They also shift styles and meter very very effectively. If you have never heard this album, and are into early Prog and good musicanship, you won't be disappointed.
This European album cover was banned in the U.S. sadly. The Moulin Rouge'd theme (which perfectly fit the music) just didn't get by our censors.
Side 1-
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Radar Love- Epic opening, riffs and awesome bass line. This is the most recognizable Golden Earring Tune. Sung in perfect English, and you'd never believe these guys were Dutch. Guys unleash horns in an unexepected manner in harmony with a guitar shred. Stuff that I hadn't heard before. Love the lyrics which pretty much are factual in the way the ladies almost hypnotize us via radar. Bad Ass Stuff, I tell ya. 1
Candy's Going Bad- Wow, you might thought you'd get a breather, but the band slams a funky opening riff at you at the opening like a 2 x 4. Really good guitar work mid way. More of the concept, as a showgirl that's becoming a hooker. This might be the most commerical sounding / feeling tune on the album, but it is so good. Chordal progression and jazzish touches gives it an eery conclusion. Wow...2
The Vanillla Queen- An ode to what sounds like a Moulin Rouge show girl in 1957. Synthesizers are brought into the equation. But don't let that opening fool you. This entire tune reads like a symphony in the way it shifts in and out styles. Especially in the latter 2/3 which is predominantly instrumental in nature. Classical Guitar, wailing Clapton early '70's like shred, its there, which then blends into almost an hallucengic lapse into a rocking Tour de' Horns in a nice manner. By the end of Side 1, you've realized you have heard a masterpiece. 3
Side 2-
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Big Tree Blue Sea- Is that Jethro Tull out there? LOL. Yeah, flutes are added to this one. Another in an almost mostly instrumental that really nicely highlights the bands talents and versatiities. A lot of dead time with the flute solos kind of hurt the song, but by the mid point, it moves into a more rocking tone. The flute work is obviously a knock off of Ian Anderson's work, and but this is a good tune, and but honestly it's the weakest too. Which isn't really a slam of the quality of the song. Just the weakest of a good collection. 5
Are You Receiving Me- Seems there may have been some Byrds like inspiration into some of the Earring's work. Of course how many tunes did the Byrds infuse screaming horns and sax in. Long tune, with jams that really are intense. Really good, but at this point you realize that the band had put all the epic eggs in the Side 1 Basket- 4
Again, since YT is not allowing the entire LP, I am going to include the classic tunes from side 1.
I might get some gripes from some Kraftwerk fans, but this fare from Golden Earring in 1973 is IMO the greatest rock album made outside the Anglosphere (United States- U.K.- Canada-Australia) I've been wanting to share it for some time now but You Tube has invariably some how kept if off in its entirety. This band's legacy is pretty much isolated to the land of Ned, where they are held in awe as their version of their Rock royalty. In Holland they charted 18 top 10 albums from 1965-2012. But did no better than No. 12 here, and No. 24 in the U.K for this their only one of two successful albums outside their borders.
There are only 5 tracks on the U.S. version of the L.P., but all the songs are excellent. This is a early era prog-like album that almost fully is conceptualized upon the "bad girl" theme. And it is done to perfection. These guys play tight, and band members really pull their weight across the board nicely. This is a band with no glaring weakness, and they really got some very good prog-like chops. (Dear purist: don't shoot me.) They conduct these long numbers in a manner that are instrumentalized in perfect align with intent. They also shift styles and meter very very effectively. If you have never heard this album, and are into early Prog and good musicanship, you won't be disappointed.
This European album cover was banned in the U.S. sadly. The Moulin Rouge'd theme (which perfectly fit the music) just didn't get by our censors.
Side 1-
------------
Radar Love- Epic opening, riffs and awesome bass line. This is the most recognizable Golden Earring Tune. Sung in perfect English, and you'd never believe these guys were Dutch. Guys unleash horns in an unexepected manner in harmony with a guitar shred. Stuff that I hadn't heard before. Love the lyrics which pretty much are factual in the way the ladies almost hypnotize us via radar. Bad Ass Stuff, I tell ya. 1
Candy's Going Bad- Wow, you might thought you'd get a breather, but the band slams a funky opening riff at you at the opening like a 2 x 4. Really good guitar work mid way. More of the concept, as a showgirl that's becoming a hooker. This might be the most commerical sounding / feeling tune on the album, but it is so good. Chordal progression and jazzish touches gives it an eery conclusion. Wow...2
The Vanillla Queen- An ode to what sounds like a Moulin Rouge show girl in 1957. Synthesizers are brought into the equation. But don't let that opening fool you. This entire tune reads like a symphony in the way it shifts in and out styles. Especially in the latter 2/3 which is predominantly instrumental in nature. Classical Guitar, wailing Clapton early '70's like shred, its there, which then blends into almost an hallucengic lapse into a rocking Tour de' Horns in a nice manner. By the end of Side 1, you've realized you have heard a masterpiece. 3
Side 2-
--------------
Big Tree Blue Sea- Is that Jethro Tull out there? LOL. Yeah, flutes are added to this one. Another in an almost mostly instrumental that really nicely highlights the bands talents and versatiities. A lot of dead time with the flute solos kind of hurt the song, but by the mid point, it moves into a more rocking tone. The flute work is obviously a knock off of Ian Anderson's work, and but this is a good tune, and but honestly it's the weakest too. Which isn't really a slam of the quality of the song. Just the weakest of a good collection. 5
Are You Receiving Me- Seems there may have been some Byrds like inspiration into some of the Earring's work. Of course how many tunes did the Byrds infuse screaming horns and sax in. Long tune, with jams that really are intense. Really good, but at this point you realize that the band had put all the epic eggs in the Side 1 Basket- 4
Again, since YT is not allowing the entire LP, I am going to include the classic tunes from side 1.
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