Search - Golden Earring :: To the Hilt

Great Album!!

Nathan Laney | Northern Cambria, PA USA | 02/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've always thought that this was a great album! I was going Golden Earring nuts at around the turn of the 80's after hearing the "Moontan" album. All I knew before that was the edited version of "Radar Love" and its b-side, "Just Like Vince Taylor." (Great song!!!) Their albums were getting a little difficult to get, but I was keeping my eyes peeled for any of them. Their mid 70's stuff seemed to be allowed to go out of print quickly.

When I played this album, I was not one bit surprised to have another great Earring album in my collection. George, Rinus and Cesar had some great rhythms going on this album. "Why Me" is a solid, exciting opening tune. I love the rhythm guitar in this one! "Facedancer" has an incredibly cool acoustic guitar riff at the beginning along with simple percussion (sounds almost like someone tapping on an acoustic guitar). Once everything kicks in, an electric guitar takes over the riff and some fantastic drumming ensues. What I find most striking in "To the Hilt" is the lyrics. "Nomad" is my least favorite track, but again, it starts with a really cool set of chords along with a really hooky rhythm (It makes it hard to stop listening). "Sleepwalking" was always one of my two favorite cuts from this album. After the lines: "Across the bridge/Around the poop/A fire escape/Won't hesitate," there's a pause, and then some of the best drumming I've ever heard starts up. I don't know how to describe it except to say that it sounds as though the drums are stuttering, and he wraps them around the timing of the rhythm beautifully. It's really masterfully done! Again, very cool chords on the rhythm. Very solid, fabulous track!!! Another of my two favorite tracks, "Latin Lightning" starts with some great chords that hook you immediately. After they sing: "You'll be in a daze all night just watchin' latin lightning," they settle in to a really great rhythm and play on it a bit. They neither go overboard with its length, nor play the section too heavily. Extremely well done! "Violins" opens, yet again, with a great, irresistible rhythm guitar that really has a great groove. After the line: "Listen to the screech repeatin'/Watch the flags go slack," the music pauses and a set of 4 really neat e-chord variations start, first on the guitar, then the bass, then the drums come in, keyboard, and then violins! Lots of 'em! I like the lyrics throughout the album also.

Great album!!"