15 BIG STAR — #1 RECORD
Antecedents: Beatles, Byrds.
Contemporaries: Badfinger, Raspberries.
Descendants: R.E.M., Marshall Crenshaw, Teenage Fanclub.
Definition: Jangly chord-rich guitar rock with tight harmonies, off-beat lyrics, sing-along choruses and a middle eight to die for.
Highlights: “The Ballad Of El Goodo”; “Feel”.
Further Reading on Power Pop: Here Is A Sunrise
[Released April 1972]
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14 FLASH — FLASH
It is not unreasonable to call Flash the first fruit of the Yes family tree. Having recorded the first two Yes albums with the emerging progressive superstars, guitarist Peter Banks left ‘due to musical differences’. With vocalist Colin Carter he formed Flash in 1971, temporarily recruiting former Yes keyboard player Tony Kaye. Although never ‘officially’ a member of Flash, Kaye’s deft organ playing and occasional synthesiser flourishes are an important part of the Flash sound on this debut LP. But it is the restless, questing guitar of Banks that gives the band their character. The three longer pieces are full of invention and colour with frequent shifts in tempo and time signature. All a prog rock fan could want, in fact. Particularly enjoyable are the passages when Banks and Kaye interweave their instrumental voices. Talking of voices, Colin Carter is a fine singer who delivers the vocals with passion. Overall, an excellent example of how impressive progressive rock was in the early 70s. Sample “Small Beginnings” or “Dreams of Heaven” to see if Flash sizzle in your pan. [Released February 1972]
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13 GENESIS — FOXTROT
This is the album where Genesis began to really coalesce and express their musical vision with confidence and power. Yes, power. Opening track “Watcher In The Skies” punches out of the speakers like a delinquent sci-fi anti-hero while “Get ‘Em Out By Friday” insinuates then bounds along with unholy glee. The centrepiece of Foxtrot is, of course, the epic second side “Supper’s Ready”. This twenty-three minute magnum opus is not as daunting as its length suggests, due to there being seven sections cleverly and thoughtfully interwoven. It is cinematic, ambitious and thoroughly entertaining. Paul Whitehead’s painting was the third and final cover he provided for the band and, like many aspects of Genesis lore, is perceived differently by the various band member (who have never been shy of expressing opinions on each other’s contributions).
[Released October 1972]
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12 SANDY DENNY — SANDY
Sandy Denny married the producer of her second album. Perhaps part of the charm was the way Trevor Lucas managed to blend Denny’s traditional style and repertoire with a fuller, more velvety sound. The album is, of course, all about Sandy Denny’s peerless voice, heard to advantage on Dylan’s “Tomorrow Is A Long Time” and her own “For Nobody To Hear”, but the assembled musicians are top class. Fellow Fairport alumnus Richard Thompson adds guitar and mandolin while folk legend Dave Swarbrick contributes a violin coda to the fabulous “Quiet Joys Of Brotherhood”. Music lovers from the Americas will be delighted by the pedal steel contributions of “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow, adding a country tinge to several tracks. If you are tempted to sample the work of one of folk-rock’s finest artists, start here. [Released September 1972]
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11 ROXY MUSIC — ROXY MUSIC
The Roxy Music debut LP raised more than a few eyebrows when it was released in mid-1972. With a sweeping range of styles and influences it is a post-modern rock album from a time when that term was itself eyebrow raising. Often infused with an off-kilter romanticism, a big part of the texture is, of course, the voice of Bryan Ferry. But there is much more to appreciate here. Guitarist Phil Manzanera lurks outside the rock mainstream, raising an eyebrow and grinning knowingly. Same could be said about Andy Mackay’s sax, which jumps about unpredictably. Add in strange noises conjured out of electronic instruments by non-musician Brian Eno and you have a potent and entirely unique package. Side one is perhaps stronger than the flip, but let’s not carp. Except against the decision to exclude the single “Virginia Plain” (though US punters got it. Lucky bastards). [Released June 1972]
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vinylconnection.com.au 
Re-Make/Re-Model. Good compilation, Mr. Bruce!
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Vielen Dank, Herr HF!
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The sunroom stereo system, just now liberated from painter’s dust, is looking forward to playing some Roxy Music, but tomorrow, as the kitchen now calls. It’ll have to be YouTube unfortunately but nevermind.
I’m not familiar with the other works but they sound worth listening to.
Thanks
DD
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Sounds good, DD. Try the first couple of tracks of the Big Star. I’d be interested in your reaction.
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Not only do I love #1 Record, I love the format you chose for the descriptor (Antecedents, Contemporaries, etc.)! And how’s this for a coincidence? As I type this, I have National Public Radio on in the background (the show is called Weekend Edition Saturday). The host, Scott Simon, is interviewing Phil Manzanera about RM’s 50th anniversary and world tour…!
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That’s most pleasingly synchronous, JDB. As a Raspberries fan, I’m not at all surprised you enjoy Big Star, for course. I just enjoyed your comment on the ‘Here is a sunrise’ post all those years ago. The Knack! Cheap Trick!
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Any list that has Big Star has my vote…it is a power pop masterpiece…and it matches up with anyone. Without this album I doubt if the 80s alt scene would have been the same.
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There is a touch of the Velvet Underground impact, isn’t there Max? Not many people bought the album at the time, but those who did took on its influence with gusto!
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Yes I totally agree and I like the Velvet Underground…I just happen to love Big Star. Those two bands launched so many acts and the acts they influenced were more popular than them.
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Flash, Genesis and RM all in my pie and all listened to a lot especially Foxtrot. I cant add anything else to the comment other than I enjoy peeking in to see what you have in store. Always something good.
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And you are always welcome, CB. (This end of such a list *should* be pretty damned entertaining, eh?)
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Thanks and yes “damned entertaining”. I turned a friend onto Flash recently. He wanted a taste of that genre ( pog … something?) so I thought I’d throw a lesser known band at him.
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lol, those lucky U.S. punters. Wait, what? Roxy Music’s debut album was 1972? That doesn’t make any of us feel any younger, Bruce! ” If you are tempted to sample the work of one of folk-rock’s finest artists…” Indeed, there is no better way to describe Sandy Denny (a fabulous album, btw — high fives all around for “It Suits Me Well.”). The Peter Banks era was Tony Banks’ favorite one of Yes, so that’s a good enough endorsement for me to try out Flash, which I haven’t. “Supper’s Ready” is prog defined! – Marty
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What a wonderful paragraph of reaction gumbo, Marty! I can almost see you scrabbling around grabbing things to listen to. 🙂 Thanks, my friend, and enjoy Flash!
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That’s a heckuva chunk of greatness in this particular post in the series. I love the Flash album, glad to see it recognized as a lost gem of ’72. And Sandy’s solo catalog seems to have been set aside and forgotten over the years, even as her Fairport albums continue to gain plaudits and grow in legend. So I am glad to see that one loved here as well!!!
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I do love it when fans of more obscure albums ‘out’ themselves. Flash! (Ah-Ahhh!)
Spot on about Sandy, too.
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No sunroom sounds today, but a tinny little speaker in the kitchen (for reasons that are too petty to relate). But Big Star is a hoot – there’s so much going on. It’s got a familiar vibe, yet the sound is diverse, honest and comforting at the same time, despite a certain rawness.
The jangles and wah-wahs really amused me.
Do you think I’ve imagined Brian Cadd and Daddy Cool sounds in play, even Buffalo Springfield?
Thanks you for your excellent posts,
DD
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Wonderful, DD. Delighted to read the ‘report’. Yes, a lot sprang from ‘Day Tripper’, didn’t it? Like the Buffalo Springfield connection too. Caddy is an interesting connection; that plaintive feel… nice.
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2 outta 5 of these are on the 1001 list – the bookends of this group no less!
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I imagine the hit rate for inclusion in ‘the book’ might well be quite high from hear on in, Geoff. Although I suspect I have a few curve balls to pitch!
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I’ve never heard of Big Star, but the influences and the influenced are all right up my alley. I just gave #1 Record a quick buzz through and found a lot to enjoy. Not sure how I missed this in the seventies.
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Well, there is a whole lotta music out there. Glad you responded positively to the taste, Jeff.
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[…] Which almost brings us up to date. The past two posts have revealed albums #20-16, and #15-11. […]
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I loved Genesis, but I find them a bit embarrassing these days. The Roxy is incredible though, 10 years ahead of their time at least and their next LP was even better.
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Embarrassing? From a bald man who collects 80s hair metal? Dude, get a grip! 🤣
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