Strange Town... Alienness of a Community - Groundhogs, McPhee, Tony
Darkness Is No Friend... Alienness of a Small Room
Soldier... Alienness of a Country
Thank Christ for the Bomb... Alienness...
Ship on the Ocean
Garden
Status People
Rich Man, Poor Man
Eccentric Man... The Story of a Man Who Lived in Chelsea All His Life; - Groundhogs, McPhee, Tony
Digitally remastered 2003 reissue of 1970 album that's unavailable domestically featuring 12 tracks including 3 bonus tracks taken from 3 different BBC Radio sessions, 'Garden' (BBC Radio 1 session 1970), 'Eccentric Man' (... more »BBC Radio 1 session 1971) & 'Soldier' (BBC In Concert 1974). EMI.« less
Digitally remastered 2003 reissue of 1970 album that's unavailable domestically featuring 12 tracks including 3 bonus tracks taken from 3 different BBC Radio sessions, 'Garden' (BBC Radio 1 session 1970), 'Eccentric Man' (BBC Radio 1 session 1971) & 'Soldier' (BBC In Concert 1974). EMI.
philip jacquez | Seattle, Washington USA | 12/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having listened to the Groundhogs for twenty some years I feel qualified to say that this recording represents some of thier finest work. Tony Mcphee and co. present a collection of songs that utilize sarcasm, irony, and historic interpretation to create a dramatic social commentary on various topics. Especially on how governments can influence citizens to lay down thier lives in the name of patriotism, when what they are really doing is pure and simple manipulation of innocent people for thier own personal and selfish gains. It also speaks of trust and the caution that should be exercised when one person decides to trust another. The musical arrangements are typically unorthodox and uniquely original.And excellent.The musicianship is outstanding as is the norm for this group. Tony Mcphee deserves the accolades that other so called "superbands" receive regularly. This recording is "intellectual" which is probably why its value evades the minds of most rock fans. Mcphee is the "genuine" article when it comes to Hard Rock through his compositions, arrangements and musicianship. Anyone claiming to be a fan of hard rock music that is not familiar with this material is just fooling themselves. This is essential listening for anyone who appreciates excellence in this genre."
Can't Get Soldier Out Of My Head
Fred Rayworth | Las Vegas, NV United States | 12/20/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To me, this is the start of the Groundhogs heavy period, culminating with Who Will Save The World. The cuts are heavily steeped in the blues but have an edge to them. My favorite cut was a song John Peel played a lot on his radio show (this from the liner notes and not personal knowledge) and that is Soldier. I see this album cover and automatically think of that song.
Tony, Pete, and Ken really rock! Highly recommended.
"
Groundhogs at their best.
Ray | perth west australia | 06/22/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love the title and the cover and the music is just fine good combination of rock and blues."
A Breakthrough Album
JOHN SPOKUS | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 08/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although their more blues based work on their earlier records is still great, TCFTB moves The Hogs to a hard edged progressive guitar rock style, and advanced songwriting. It's kind of like Fleetwood Mac on Then Play On, only heavier and more hard rockin' . Every cut is a gem, my favorites are "Strange Town", "Eccentric Man", and the beautiful "Garden" that features a great progression that a group could jam on for eons. Essential."
Classic
William R. Nicholas | Mahwah, NJ USA | 11/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Split may be the best known album by the Groundhogs; an unknown early 1970s British Blues rock combo more people should be aware of.
But Thank Christ For The Bomb is definately the better of the two. The Hogs use the same mutated blusey stuctures, but the songs here are tighter. Where on Split the band exceeded their grasp, just a little bit, by trying to make a more "progressive" album, they make a better conceptual statement here using taunt numbers and sharper playing. They actually are more progressive when not trying to be
All of this band's work is interesting and I encourge fans of 1960s rock to collect the who distography, the same way they might collect Nick Drake, Savoy Brown, Denny-Thomson Fairport Convention, or any underexposed band that a serious music efficinato should have in the library.
But if you are just starting out with the Groundhogs or if you just want one of their albums, this is it."