Search - Chicago :: Chicago V

The Beatles In Reverse

Michael Neiss | Princeton, NJ United States | 02/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If all you knew of Chicago (the band) was based solely on their post-1982 output (which consisted primarily of monstrous, hook-friendly hits for the lovelorn that could put the population of many small countries into a Diabetes-induced coma) - than you are missing out on some of the most adventurous and experimental rock ever created by not digging deeper into their earlier catalog.



There is little argument that at their creative peak (1967-1976) the horn-based ensemble redefined and blurred the boundaries of acid rock, jazz fusion and classical composition into an exquisitely intricate string of Top 40 and AOR hits. In the annals of rock history they are, for better or worse, the "Beatles in Reverse."



Whereas the Lads from Liverpool evolved from a very simple singles band into a complex stew of psychedelia and political anthem-making, Chicago's canvass unfortunately became very small - initially wrapping progressive social protest around long form composition to a final (and current) incarnation as a lyrically bereft hits band, sans horns and any palpable creative pulse.



While regrettable, their regress in no way diminishes the stature of their initial output (Chicago Transit Authority - Chicago VII) of which Chicago V stands as the most accessible exemplar of their signature sound. As their first single-disc offering, after a string of double-disc+ releases, their sound is tight, the horns bright and the harmonies complex all punctuated by a cohesive mood flow and lyrics, that while dated by the politics of the time; did aspire to something beyond an unremarkable Hallmark Moment. It is also worth mentioning that the record contains their biggest and greatest hit (IMHO) - Saturday In The Park - a song that ranks as one of the Top 20 singles of all time.



If you want to capture a great band in peak form, book a ticket to Chicago V. Highly recommended!

"

All Is Well With Chicago:1972

Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 05/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Three double lengh albums and a handful of smash hits from where they started Chicago are at the top of their game.Even if the previous studio album to this Chicago III was a commercial disappointment there was no question here the band was back at 100% peak form all around. One reason is of course the single album lengh that really helped.Not only that but there was a change in approch if not totally in sound. One thing that really works well for bands of this sort is if they can strech their strong chops across shorter songs as well as extended jams-it really shows your musical meddle when you can be creative AND concise and it's not as easy as it sounds. That is what happens here. No song is over 7 minutes and the overall approch is rhythmic,tight and compact. Basically what ends up happening is.....it ends up being a funk album."A Hit By Verse" really keeps things locked right up with this chunky,stuttering rhythm that turned out to be a surprising success for the band.In terms of breezier jazz-type music,if not necessarily down tempo "All Is Well" and "Goodbye" also deliver the goods.For the most part though this album consists of a strong funkiness across "Now That You've Gone","While The City Sleeps" and "State Of The Union". "Dialogue",presented here in both it's full seperate parts and as it's single version in the bonus tracks is definately the most funk oriented Chicago single up to this point,with the last part either way going into a jazzy jam with some of their best horn charts. Of course the big hit here is of course "Saturday In The Park";it couldn't be anymore "classic Chicago" then that and the odd thing is.....it's poppier sound seems a bit out of place with the harder,funkier material on the rest of the album.As with almost everything here this song was a Robert Lamm composition. Terry Kath gets a go at "Alma Mater".It's a nice song and a good enough change of pace ballad but again clashes with the rest of the music with it's more obvious pop-rock flavor.As far as the bonus tracks go "A Song For Richard And His Friends" and "Missippi Delta City Blues" recall the longer jams of early Chicago which....ironically this is still kind of a part of.Considering the longjevity and creative energy of this band,who survive in a modified form to the present day this still seems somewhat like part of the first phase of their musical accomplishment. As time went on the band would gradually embrace sounds from around them for continued commerical success. But plenty of that 60's musical cross pollination and 70's sense of the groove and funkiness is very much a part of what makes this album huge and sets a general blueprint for more of Chicago's musical adventures to come."