Search - Nazareth :: Close Enough for Rock-N-Roll

Correction

Lisa | Pompano Beach, FL USA | 10/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Just a tidbit of info.....



In regards to the reviewer who swears this is not the follow-up to "Hair of The Dog"-believe me, it IS the follow-up! I owned this on cassette tape way back-the release date (if you check closely) is 1976. "Hair of The Dog" was released in 1975.



"

Close Enough for Rock n' Roll is Good Enough for Me

JAMES MCCORMICK | cedar rapids, Iowa United States | 10/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"4 Stars = Classic



My first Nazareth record I bought was in 1976, "Close Enough For Rock n' Roll," which I loved at the time & still do, especially, "Telegram: On Your Way / So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star / Sound Check / Here We Are Again," a melody that starts off the record. I love their short (very short) cover of the Who's, "So You Want to be a Rock & Roll Star, & the guitar solo there." Telegram is a great song(s) about life on the road as any, or air; "747 flies up high/Much higher then we're meant to be," is as true as statement as there ever was."Vicky" the second song is just a beautiful acoustic instrumental, almost Led Zeppelin-ish. "Home Sick Again" is another ode to life on the road & missing those you love. "Vancouver Shake Down" is a rollicking tune about the perils of getting busted on the road. `Born under the Wrong Sign" is funky & rocking, one of my faves of the album. "Loretta" rocks with its story about lusting after a magazine model. I can relate! LOL! "Carry out Feelings" is about unrequited love & has a touch of reggae to its rhythm. "Lift the Lid," rocks to some great guitar lines. "You're the Violin," is another rocker about the uses & abuses of relationships."



Over all "Close Enough for Rock & Roll," is not the hardest rocking document from 1976 (or Nazareth), but it's a sincere & valid effort at a little diversity, with hooks & melodies to spare, & really, not a bad song on the album, but not a masterpiece as a whole, but "Close Enough for Rock n' Roll" is just that. Good enough for me.

"

They still rock

B. E Jackson | Pennsylvania | 01/31/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nazareth never gets the credit they deserve anymore. About 20 years ago, if you had asked me what bands I believe will be remembered strongly 20 years later, I probably would have said Nazareth. Seriously, they deserve their spot in rock 'n roll history the same way Judas Priest and Thin Lizzy have been given their fair share of credit.



It's like "Hair of the Dog" and "Love Hurts" are the ONLY things people wanna associate with Nazareth anymore! That's absolutely INSANE!



This is a band that made *albums* worth of consistently great material. Whether you wanna call it pop rock, pop metal, or what have you- the fact remains Nazareth were, at least throughout the 70's, GREAT songwriters. I'd take this band over KISS for example ANY day.



Anyway, with the mid 70's approaching, the sound of Nazareth has begun to change, but only slightly. The great songwriting has remained, the distinctive voice of the lead singer is still firmly intact, and the albums are still fantastic from start to finish.



"Telegram" seriously sounds like a MAJOR influence to the upcoming 80's glam metal scene. I can't believe this song came out in the mid 70's. The one thing that immediately separates it from your typical metal tune is the build-up in great lyrics and bass guitar. "F.M station soundin' good, and gettin' better every mile". That's a great line. Too bad radio stinks these days, har har.



"Homesick Again" is most noticeable for that fantastic verse melody. I absolutely LOVE it. "Vancouver Shakedown" has a really good bluesy feel to it, and what enhances the experience are, again, the catchy and exciting vocal melody. "Carry Out Feelings" is a nice pop song with a chorus that actually came to me out of nowhere in the shower a couple weeks ago.



I just wish Nazareth was considered one of the best rock bands of the 70's."