Bow Wow - Hard Dog. 1981 SMS (LP). A couple of years ago I cataloged five different albums from a Japanese metal band called Anthem. I ended up selling them all - at a nice profit, but I was hoping to keep a few. I had the same opportunity with Bow Wow @$5 each. Probably I should have picked up more, but I sensed I was going to move them all straight to the sell bin. At least with Hard Dog that premise held true. This is already their 8th album, and I don't think I saw anything prior to their 6th, Telephone. After some research, I would be interested in hearing their 70s output. Whereas Anthem, who came a few years later, are most certainly heavy metal, Bow Wow are a hybrid of hard rock and metal. If you've read enough of my reviews, one thing you'll note is that my appreciation of American hard rock has much to do with the time and place aspect of it. Hard working blue collar clubs, where the patrons can let their hair down while drinking cheap beer and dancing with the ladies. I can always picture the dive bar the group is playing in while enjoying the music. I don't get that same vibe with Japanese groups - probably because I've never been there. And even if I had, the Japan of the 2000s wouldn't be the same as the 70s and 80s. But I bet there was a similar type scene, and it would have been exciting for fans at the time. But it's lost on me. Still it's a very good album, pretty safe and conservative all things considered. They sing in English - I think. From the RMRS (Apr).
*Pink Fairies - Never Never Land (1971). 2019 Polydor (The Polydor Years) (CD). I grabbed a cheap sealed copy of this 3xCD comp of all their albums plus bonus tracks and extensive liner notes. Pink Fairies debut demonstrates a varied album that contains both forward looking, contemporary, and retro styled sounds. I find the latter more to my taste with the melodic/loungey aura of 'War Girl' and the psychedelic jam of 'Uncle Harry's Last Freak-Out' being the highlights. As for their future outlook, add Pink Fairies to the list of groups that informed Motorhead with its punky straightforward hard rockin' music with gruff vocals. Took me a bit to get into this title, but I'm there now. (Mar)
*Pink Fairies - What a Bunch of Sweeties (1972). 2019 Polydor (The Polydor Years) (CD). Continuing my trek through the 3xCD set. This is Pink Fairies second album and it's even harder to get into than the debut. Much of this is because of the ridiculous sophomoric humor, a lot of it surrounding every 4th grader's favorite topic of the planet Uranus. Perhaps it still had some zing left in it by 1972 among young adults, hard to imagine though. The album doesn't really find its gear until track 4 'Marilyn', though they had to derail that with a drum solo (not too long fortunately). But there is one fantastic track here, side two's lengthy opener 'Walk Don't Run' is heavy psych at its best. B2 is also quite good. The CD offers an alternate recording of B1, making it that much better. Overall, perhaps not worthy of ownership on its own, but being part if this CD set will likely keep it around. (Mar)
*Pink Fairies - Kings of Oblivion (1973). 2019 Polydor (CD). Wrapping up the 3xCD set is Pink Fairies' final album from their original incarnation. This one goes for the throat early and never lets up. Lyrically they're all in for the glam scene though musically it's purely hard rock. There are no highs to be found like on the other two, but no dips either. A more consistent and respectable close to their original career. This 3 CD set is perfect for me considering where I land with the band. Liner notes and bonus tracks are good as well. Originals aren't necessary for me in this case. (Mar)
* - Keeping for the collection
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