Showing posts with label Blue Cheer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Cheer. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Blue Cheer - Outsideinside (1968)


Outsideinside is BC's second album. It built on the power and amperage of thier first album Vincebus Eruptum. Outsideinside is an improvement in everyway from VE. Not only in songwriting prowess, but in mix and growth as an artist. So its fair to say this is BC's zenith. This is the last album with guitarist Leigh Stevens before he called it a day. The band then devolved into a rotating door of members. What makes this an essentual purchase you ask? Several things. BC was revolutionary for thier loudness. They cranked it up, caused near riots. Keep in mind this was the late 60s - peace and love man. They got the hippies doing crazy stuff. They also laid down the prototype for metal which was to come later. Listen to Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger, you'll see what I mean. Paul Whaley's liberal use of the double kick drum and tasteful fills was also new. Leigh Steven's guitar work at times seared across the meat of the music. They did all this heaviness and kept melodies in thier songs. In short, thier style, attitude and playing chops were completely at odds with most of thier contemporaries.
Which led to many potshots being taken at them, with Jimi Hendrix's dissing of them perhaps being the most famous. Often an artist that flies against whats trendy or popular at the time - will get savaged and disrespected only later to be appreciated. Blue Cheer's early works are such the case. A whole lot of loudness, some psychedelic touches along with a style that laid the foundation for metal. Anyone wanting expand thier knowledge of where amped up insane White Blues (aka Metal) came from need to look no further.
Track Listing...
1- Feather’s From Your Tree
2- Sun Cycle
3- Just A Little Bit
4- Gypsy Ball
5- Come And Get It
6- (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
7- Magnolia Caboose Babyfinger
8- The Hunter
9- Babylon

Blue Cheer - Vincebus Eruptum (1968)


Blue Cheer released this debut in 1968 when groups and artists like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Iron Butterfly, Steppenwolf and The Doors were putting out psychedelic rock. Blue Cheer were three guys who played loud psychedelic rock and I can still see those stacks of Marshall amps piled a mile high. These guys had one major hit "Summertime Blues" which has been covered by other artists. Their version stands alone by itself as my favorite. The other songs on this album such as "Out Of Focus" and "Parchment Farm" are pure psychedelic kick a.. rock. This groups follow up album "Outsideinside" was also much of the same. Too bad these guys didn't get the credit they deserved and were lost in the shuffle of all the psychedelic groups popping up in the late 60's. If you're into 60's psychedelic rock don't pass this gem up. Highly recommended!
Track Listing...
1- Summertime Blues
2- Rock Me Baby
3- Doctor Please
4- Out Of Focus
5- Parchment Farm
6- Second Time Around