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Fine debut album from underappreciated band

Stephen F Mulcahy | United States | 05/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"the new york rock ensemble's eponymous debut is a fine, underrated album. the band never really quite got the critical or commercial success that it deserved back in the late 60's/ early 70's...

the ensemble mixed classical music with rock , but never in a pretentious manner. the band was quite talented, and featured the soulful vocals and keyboards of michael kamen, who later went on to work with heavyweights like pink floyd, david bowie and eric clapton, as well as composing lots of film scores..essentially, the ensemble's first album includes some memorable pop/rock tunes that are catchy in a good way- poor pauline and the slightly comical/ old timey sounding pick up in the morning come to mind. began to burn and you know just what it's like are two of the stronger songs, moody, angst ridden, depressing tunes.. studeao atlantis is an eastern sounding song that is probably the closest thing to psychedelia on ( and i don't mean it in a bad way)this essentially mainstream rock album.

brian corrigan provides the band with another fine singer, and the guitar playing of clif nivison, the drumming of future x-files theme composer martin fulterman, and the various instruments played by dorian rudnytsky all point out the valuable contributions of the other members of the band...as another reviewer noted, it would be nice to also have the band's second album, faithful friends released as well.. the debut record may not be their finest achievement, i would myself probably opt for the excellent 4th album, roll over, but it's a solid debut album. i've never heard the entirety of the 3rd album, reflections which some claim is their best, but i would recommend all n.y. rock ensemble albums EXCEPT for their last, 1972's freedomburger which , apart from about 2 songs, is a terrible record in my opinion ."

Finally

Andi Müller | 04/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the record I convinced my parents with to let me start studying music. and that was some years ago!

This record really meant a lot to me and still does, so I'm more than happy that finally it's being released on CD.

Coming from a very classical musical background, the combination of new pop-music and classical motives is as intriguing now as it was then. Songs like 'She's gone' and

'You know just what it's like' were always part of my musical heritage.

And finally, it's a fine tribute to one of the members, I always had a deep admiration for: Michael Kamen, who left this earth so untimely one and a half years ago.

"

At last, the Pop Gods Have Answered My Call!

Benjamin Joffe | New York, NY United States | 04/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thank you, Collectables Records, for finally re-releasing this album on CD! For years, I had to listen to the sub-par sound from the transfer I made onto my computer from the original LP. Though I made due, I always hoped that the music industry would recognize that Freedom Burger was never going to cut it if we wanted to teach the next generation about the virtuosity that was The New York Rock and Roll Ensemble.



Poor Pauline can still create quite a scene nearly forty years later!"