CLARK HUTCHINSON – RETRIBUTION – 1970 (UK) hard rock

Clark-Hutchinson's debut album had been devoted entirely to long, tiresome psychedelic guitar instrumentals with Indian and blues-rock influences. On their second record, although some of that approach was retained, they at least branched out to some degree, adding some vocals and somewhat more deranged blues-rock tangents. And guess what? It's still indulgent psychedelic hard rock, often annoyingly so, all but one of the five tracks falling into the seven- to ten-minute range. It's some of the most lunkheaded stoner rock you'll come across, and if that seems like a churlishly unfair label, it's one they bring onto themselves with the first cut, "Free to Be Stoned." For it's here they fly their inept freak flag high, a from-the-gutter, hysterical vocal declaring against a crude blues-rock backing, "I don't wanna be good, but I don't care if I'm bad, I don't want to feel happy, but I don't care if I feel sad...I just wanna be...STONED! STONED! STONED! STONED! For the rest of my natural life!" Just the kind of guy you want to hang out with for next half-hour, huh? The attitude-over-songwriting ethos continues to rule over most of the other tracks, including a tepid ten-minute cocktail jazz instrumental, a ten-minute standard blues-rocker featuring (like "Free to Be Stoned") some of the most disagreeably half-shouted British blues-rock vocals ever laid down, and a finale ("Death, the Lover") that comes off like a particularly bad Arthur Brown imitation in its high-pitched vocal and lyrical mania.

Andy Clark (vocals, keyboard)
Mick Hutchinson (guitar)
Stephen Amazing (bass)
Del Coverly (drums)
A1 Free to Be Stoned 7:38
A2 After Hours 10:45
B1 In Another Day 3:31
B2 Best Suit 10:15
B3 Death, the Lover 7:18

After A=Mh2 this album came as a surprise - side one has two tracks after a totally stoned "Free to be Stoned" we are treated to some late night, cocktail blues jazz. Side two is the real meat - full of brilliant acid rock guitar and vocals that have to be heard to be believed ( and believe me you believe what Andy Clark has to say - the album finishes with Death the Lover, not to be listened to before bed (if you are of a nervous disposition) - but it is another great track.

Highly recommended!
Rip from vinyl 256@ (full artwork included)
Download link
http://link-protector.com/276970/