Search - Atomic Rooster :: Heavy Soul: Anthology

Not Just Any Ordinary Chicken!

J. E FELL | Carterville, Illinois United States | 02/23/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Atomic Rooster was the brainchild of former Crazy World of Arthur Brown keyboardist Vincent Crane. This 2 cd anthology summarizes the first 5 albums of the band before they broke up the first time. Vincent Crane was tormented by psychological problems throughout his existence. He had a number of breakdowns and spent time in mental hospitals. He eventually took his own life on St. Valentine's Day 1989. His music however will live on through "Heavy Soul". The band was formed as a trio in 1969 with Crane on keyboards, Nick Graham on bass/vocals and the great Carl Palmer (later of ELP) on drums. This line up lasted for just the first album before Palmer bolted for Emerson Lake And Palmer. It also foreshadowed the tendency of band personnel to change quite often. The best known edition of the band (which reunited numerous times later) featured John Du Cann on guitar and vocals and Paul Hammond on drums. The music on their first 3 albums was occult based heavy/progressive rock. The band at this point sounded a little like Black Sabbath crossed with Uriah Heep. This period is featured on the first disk and second two tracks of the second disk of this set. This was arguably Crane's finest work. Tracks such as "Death Walks Behind You" and "Friday The 13th" provide a clue about the band's dark stance. Their two best known tracks from this period are "Tomorrow Night" and "The Devil's Answer" which are included herein. Crane takes a rare lead vocal on the eerie "Black Snake". Crane's depressed mental state comes across in tunes like "Banstead" and "Winter". The last song included from this period the instrumental "The Rock" highlights Crane's organ playing while providing a transition to the more funky and soulful direction the band would take on their next two albums. After their third album "In Hearing Of" Vincent Crane fired the entire band and elected to take the music in a different direction. British R&B singer Chris Farlowe was enlisted as vocalist. The best known track from this period is "Stand By" which was released as a single. Other interesting tracks from this time include "Moods" and "Ear In The Snow". After the unsuccessful fifth album "Nice 'n' Greasy" Crane disbanded Atomic Rooster. The moniker would later be revived numerous times by Crane between work with Arthur Brown and a stint with Dexy's Midnight Runners. Crane's style on organ while not as bombastic as Keith Emerson's is both impressive and intriguing.The biggest complaint I have is that not all 80 minutes of the disks were utilized. In addition a few of my favorite songs such as the great instrumentals "Vug" and "A Spoonful Of Bromide Helps The Pulse Rate Go Down" along with "I Can't Take No More" and the great non lp b side "Play The Game" from the classic period were not included. Also Crane's return to the occult "In Satan's Name" was not included on the second disk from the later period. The booklet contains an informative history of the band and traces Crane's downfall. Those who like heavy keyboard dominated progressive rock will find this set pleasing. If you enjoy this set buy the "Resurrection" boxed set as well. It contains the band's first three albums from the classic period remastered with bonus tracks."

Terrific introduction

Burritoman "USA" | Pennsylvania | 04/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 2 cd set is indeed a great introduction to the dark, brooding soul-rock of Atomic Rooster. But it is not definitive, as there are no tracks to represent the Rooster's final two '80's albums. Still, this is a finger-licking- good feast. Every song just demands your undivided attention and rewards it. Atomic Rooster was not a band that set the world on fire although they cultivated a rabid fan base; that is because their music simply wasn't very commercial. But, eighteen years following the final breakup and thirteen years following the tragic demise of leader Vincent Crane the fans are still there. That should tell you something. This is the best place to start out with the Rooster; then track down a copy of their brilliant final album, "Headline News". Go from there of course, but thats really all you absolutely need."

Atomic Rooster - 'Heavy Soul: The Anthology' (Castle) 2-CD

Mike Reed | USA | 02/08/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've seen this item in retail stores before. As I took a look at the thirty tracks featured on this 2-CD title, I noticed that 'Heavy Soul' didn't include the usual songs that most Atomic Rooster compilations do have. No wonder I didn't immediately recognize many of these songs. This 2-CD pressing features four (4) tunes from Rooster's first five (5) lp's, 1970-1973. It was good to hear the heavy hitters, like "Winter", the almost sinister "Friday The 13th", the rocking "Tomorrow Night", "Death Walks Behind You", "Head In The Sky", "Time Take My Life" and "Can't Find A Reason" once again. Heard that some label put out a DVD or two of this under-appreciated UK heavy rock entity."