Psycho Blues
B. A. Dilger | Charlotte, NC USA | 03/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Split" is my all-time heaviest acid blues album. When I purchased the LP back in 1971 I amazed my friends with its incredible trio. Tony McPhee is nothing short of godlike in his wielding of the ax, and Cruickshank and Pustelnik stoutly back him up. The title cut is in four parts, each obtaining increasing levels of volume and dexterity. The lead into "Split-Part Two" is especially eye-opening. The four other tracks, including "Cherry Red" are loud and fast acid blues.
A special bonus in this package is a live concert of parts one, two, and four of the "Split", plus "Cherry Red". It is the same length as the studio cuts but boy does it smoke! If you have never heard the Groundhogs play--this is the CD to start with. It is my #1 rated album."
A Masterpiece!!!
MojeeMoj | Beaumont, TX | 03/16/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not only this band's finest effort, but a masterpiece by any hard-rock standard!! And, as a bonus (which is why you want to buy the CD, rather than download it from Amazon), you get live performances (the band's forte) of four of the tracks.
For some reason, the two Groundhogs albums that charted best, when originally released ("Thank Christ for the Bomb" and "Who Will Save the World"), are hailed as classics by many reviewers, but don't waste your time on them. They really sound dated , and the lyrics are pedestrian, compared to the psychological wisdom displayed on all but the last two studio tracks of "Split": "Junkman" is a throwaway tune, while "Groundhog" is a marvelously-done old blues number. Speaking of which, any of their live albums that contain "Mistreated" are worth the price of the CD, just for that song.
After you give "Split" a few thorough plays, move on to their live stuff, which is the essence of the Groundhog experience: which is Tony (T.S.) McPhee, and whatever sidemen he enlists for the gig. (The best overall live performance, I've located, is "No Surrender": the one issued by Magnum of America).
"