Search - Edgar Winter :: Shock Treatment

A 70's pop classic!

David Starns | South Louisiana, a stone's throw from the swamp | 11/28/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, I hope no one was mislead by the bonehead a few reviews down the page who thinks this album has anything to do with the soundtrack to "Shock Treatment," the sequel to "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." This record came out at least ten years before that film was made, and though a soundtrack is probably available, this ain't it.What this is is an amazing collection of catchy, mid 70's pop tunes, played by a whip-smart band that plays and sings it's collective butt off. If you've followed Edgar Winter's career at all, you know that he achieved his first peak playing incredible down n' dirty R&B with White Trash. Many of the White Trash fans were disappointed, then, when he formed the Edgar Winter Group with now-deceased, underrated pop-genius Dan Hartman, drummer Chuck Ruff and guitar chopmeister Ronnie Montrose. "They Only Come Out at Night," their first release, is a great album of hook-heavy pop songs (remember "Free Ride"?) as well as my vote for greatest pop instrumental of all time, "Frankenstein." Thus began phase two of EW's career: as a pop craftsman, creating wonderful 3 minute gems rather than extended R&B jams.This album represents, I think, the peak of that period. Ronnie Montrose left and was replaced by Rick Derringer, a guitarist even more well-suited to the band's mission of crafting "stick-in-your-head" hooks. As on the mid-period Beatles' albums, each song is different from the one before and the one after, and each song, listened to individually, will leave you humming for days. Unfortunately, "Shock Treatment" didn't spawn a hit, though literally any song on the album could've (and should've) been a hit single. Years later, David Lee Roth had a minor hit with a version of "Easy Street," but he certainly didn't improve on the original.Though the band's self-titled third album had some great moments ("Diamond Eyes" is one of the coolest soul ballads ever written), the group never again approached the consistency and punch of this record. If you're at all interested in 70's pop music (fans of Todd Rundgren, Stevie Wonder, Wings, Elton John and the Doobie Bros. take note), this album is a must-have."

Underrated and lost classic

K. Cooper | Phila. area | 01/21/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Forget the terrible photos on front and back covers- it must have seemed like a good idea at the time. A really catchy album. Edgar's Someone Take my heart away and Miracle of love along with Dans Sundown, Maybe Someday you'll call my name, and River's Rising all are wonderful. Dan's Rock and Roll Woman is pretty awful but all in all ,a fun album that should not be allowed to go out of print."

Shock Treatment being reissued

William E. Wallace | Salisbury, MD | 02/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Shock Treatment is being reissued as a two-for along with They Only Come Out At Night on February 20, 2007 in England. I hope Amazon will offer it for sale or pre-order by then. Hold on a few days and save yourself $50.00 or more. I love Edgar but those prices are just nuts."