Much More Garagey Than Expected
Todd Lucas | Southern Illinois, USA | 09/06/2001
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Well, this was certainly a nice surprise! I can't speak for The Buckinghams' other albums but Kind of a Drag is more than worthwhile. I've always liked the song "Kind of a Drag" but thought it painted The Buckinghams as a pop, schlock band. And, there is a fair amount of schlock included herein. For example, their version of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is more than just schlock. It's downright lousy, with it's rampaging horn section and lightweight vocals. A couple of other numbers aren't much better. So, why the endorsement you may ask? Well, because the best material on Kind of a Drag caught me completely off guard. "Don't Want To Cry" is a great ripoff of "You Really Got Me", with buzzing guitar sound. "Makin' Up & Breakin' Up" is a fine, moody punker. There's a rockin', organ-driven instrumental called "Virginia Wolf" and the band's version of "I'm a Man" is a winner, complete with extended guitar part. The best tune on the album though has to be the wonderful "I've Been Wrong", which was originally recorded by The Hollies. It has a unmistakable British Invasion feel, a terrific hook and the best guitar break I've heard in ages. The drumming is also solid, using a nice high-end cymbals and snare combo. Overall, the sound qualty on the disc is good and, while there are a few clunkers, the best stuff here really deserves to be heard. I have a whole new perspective on these guys. The Buckinghams were capable of being one great band. And they were, at least on a handfull of recordings. Don't sell them short."
The best of the USA sessions.
Timothy Schubert | Chicago,IL USA | 06/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Buckinghams were the most nationally successful band to come out of Chicago in the mid-1960's.Their first national hit,"Kind Of A Drag" is here,as are their other local hits,"I'll Go Crazy","Lawdy Miss Clawdy" and their horn heavy version of The Beatles' "I Call Your Name".This CD is a very good sounding version of their first and only album for USA records.When "Kind Of A Drag" hit no. 1 on the national charts,The Buckingham's scored a contract with Columbia where they stayed for the rest of their original career.The songs here are indeed more garage oriented than most of their poppy Columbia hits,but,I think that's a good thing.Their version of "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" is at least as good as Lloyd Price's original and "I'll Go Crazy" is a worthy cover of this James Brown staple.A personal favorite of mine is their cover of the Hollies' original "I've Been Wrong".If you want to hear the beginnings of this Chicago rock original,buy this CD.Like numerous Chicago bands of the 60's,they infused their garage rock and pop with horns.This was a trademark of their producer,James William Guercio who went on to even greater success with another horn heavy band by the name of The Big Thing,later to become Chicago.This is a very highly recommended CD for any fan of 60's music or the Chcago sound.Don't be scared out of it by other reviewers who were expecting something else and let their own lack of knowledge shade their reviews."
A Different (sounding) Kind Of A Drag
MAZLI SHAHAR MOHAMED | Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia | 03/11/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Why does Kind Of A Drag sounded different from the one that's being played on oldies radio? Although I've already bought two album of The Buckinghams, I'd rather listen to the radio than the CDs."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1