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Post by hershie on Nov 1, 2020 20:24:34 GMT
An excellent album but definitely could've done with fewer tracks.
Tommy can do one. No Problems is pretty weak. The title track isn't the strongest IMO either. Warning Shot is far better as a quiet number, as is Faking The Blues.
Not a huge fan of Fame or Money or Good Sign either.
Some of the tracks that didn't make the album are so much better than what did as well. Heavy Daze is a superb track in particular.
I think the covers are all good and some of their best covers, which admittedly isn't saying all that much. Can't Give You More is a great re-recording but it's not one I particularly want to re-listen to often.
Like A Zombie is a lovely track but I can see why it didn't last long as a live one. I'd love to hear a good quality recording. Hearing Francis doing All We Really Wanna Do as part of his solo stuff reminded me that it's a lovely little track.
One Man Band is one of the few Rick songs for the whole 86-02 era that doesn't seem quite so formulaic or just plain poor. Seems he had vocal issues with it live quite regularly for some reason, though.
I love the re-recording of 4500x and it's something I can listen to a lot. Nothing Comes Easy is a lovely track that maybe goes on a bit long.
TLDR: If the album was 8-10 choice tracks it'd be an absolute classic. As it is it's still one of my favourites (maybe even creeps into the top 5 depending on my mood). The band found something they'd lacked in the previous few years and were writing and recording better stuff, but unfortunately this didn't translate into perhaps the album it could've.
Production is the best of any post-86 album, up to Heavy Traffic at least.
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roquer
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 682
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Post by roquer on Nov 2, 2020 11:15:05 GMT
I like this album since I was little. My parents have the 10-track vinyl version, and Like a Zombie and Fakin' The Blues (don't shoot me!) were my favourites. I remember watching the RTYD video documentary, one of the songs in the background have a jig that I really like, but it wasn't on the album and it wasn't on any other album we have. Took me years to find the vinyl version was a trimmed version of the whole 16-track album and that was Nothing comes Easy. Knowing that now, and seeing that there are 4 more tracks on the B-sides, I find the 10 and 16 tracks very strange selection. Tommy and the other covers could be on the B-Sides, the re-recordings on the 16 track and most all the new songs on the 10 track...but...
I wasn't born until two years after the release of the album, but I know that this album supposed a little fresh air from the previous years. At least, my father like it a bit and he played from time to time along with the On The Level (even he was on the second Madrid show from '92 (the one that rain stormed in the middle of ITAN and they stop playing)).
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gav
Veteran Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 2,152
Favourite Quo Album: On The Level
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Post by gav on Nov 2, 2020 11:49:06 GMT
This would be my ideal RTYD album:
1. Like A Zombie 2. Mysteries From The Ball 3. One Man Band 4. Rock 'Til You Drop 5. Fakin' The Blues 6. Nothing Comes Easy 7. Dead In The Water 8. The Anniversary Waltz 9. Heavy Daze 10. No Problems 11. Good Sign 12. Forty Five Hundred Times
I know, AW is in there, but it seems kind of relevant to the gimmickry of the RTYD event - put a whole load of songs into one and, well, rock 'til you drop trying to play them. The sound on Francis' guitar is obviously a bit different on AW, but the vibe is similar.
"One Man Band" and "Rock 'Til You Drop" are, to me, class bits of songwriting - solid and a cut above most else.
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mortified
4500 Timer
Posts: 5,861
Favourite Quo Album: Hello!
Favourite other bands.: Talking Heads, Rolling Stones, Sheryl Crow, Gary Numan, Alabama 3, ZZ Top, Paul van Dyk, Jeff Beck, Bowie, Gerry Rafferty, Band of Skulls, UFO, S.A.H.B
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Post by mortified on Nov 2, 2020 13:54:44 GMT
For those who had already followed the band for a long time by 1991, Rock 'til You Drop has some significance in that it was such an obvious oasis in a desert of increasing mediocrity. Between (for me) 1988 and 2002 it shone like a beacon over pretty much everything else they released. I still like the album a lot, although it was the first time a release of 'new' material had so many tracks on it. The CD that is. Little did I realise, this was to be the way forward for more or less all artists - because music companies demanded it. Quantity over quality? Subjective I guess, as these things tend to be. But that's how it feels to me. The whole Tommy thing for me remains a mystery. I've read the story behind it and of the re-recording of it. But I still don't understand it So, basically, I ignore it. Like it never happened To hear tracks like One Man Band, No Problems and Good Sign was an absolute joy at the time because they hadn't done anything remotely like those in years. Probably 10 years if we're being honest. OK, there are covers and fillers aplenty but I tend to put that down to the record company. They will have chosen what went in I imagine rather than the band. As already mentioned, the single B-sides were great; Mysteries From The Ball is brilliant. And only later did I find out that Heavy Daze and Better Times had been left out. Imagine if that lot had replaced, say, Tommy and the covers? A 16-track album where ALL of the songs are good? Unheard of! I guess this album signalled the start of the stunt. Where the publicity overshadowed and became more important than the actual music. Because someone (I think we all know who) told them they needed to have an 'edge'; something to pin the music on. Wrong, of course, but it's easy in hindsight. My one main gripe with the album is about Francis. His playing sounds uninspired throughout. Perfectly adequate of course but lacking a certain sparkle or any sort of innovation or enthusiasm. Oh, and Warning Shot is up there with A Year. Well, almost. But it's very good indeed. 8/10 I think. Could so easily have been a 10.
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Post by paradiseflats on Nov 2, 2020 15:53:46 GMT
I was going to say it’s an average Status Quo album. But that’s meaningless. It has Status Quo on the cover. They even cover a couple of Status Quo songs.
Do I like it ? Not much overall. It has a few decent moments and a lot of average songs. Do I listen to it?,only when I listen to all of their output in chronological order.
As a post Alan, Status Quo album it’s much better than many others.
So I will score it a generous 4/10
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Post by paradiseflats on Nov 2, 2020 15:58:52 GMT
For those who had already followed the band for a long time by 1991, Rock 'til You Drop has some significance in that it was such an obvious oasis in a desert of increasing mediocrity. Between (for me) 1988 and 2002 it shone like a beacon over pretty much everything else they released. I still like the album a lot, although it was the first time a release of 'new' material had so many tracks on it. The CD that is. Little did I realise, this was to be the way forward for more or less all artists - because music companies demanded it. Quantity over quality? Subjective I guess, as these things tend to be. But that's how it feels to me. The whole Tommy thing for me remains a mystery. I've read the story behind it and of the re-recording of it. But I still don't understand it So, basically, I ignore it. Like it never happened To hear tracks like One Man Band, No Problems and Good Sign was an absolute joy at the time because they hadn't done anything remotely like those in years. Probably 10 years if we're being honest. OK, there are covers and fillers aplenty but I tend to put that down to the record company. They will have chosen what went in I imagine rather than the band. As already mentioned, the single B-sides were great; Mysteries From The Ball is brilliant. And only later did I find out that Heavy Daze and Better Times had been left out. Imagine if that lot had replaced, say, Tommy and the covers? A 16-track album where ALL of the songs are good? Unheard of! I guess this album signalled the start of the stunt. Where the publicity overshadowed and became more important than the actual music. Because someone (I think we all know who) told them they needed to have an 'edge'; something to pin the music on. Wrong, of course, but it's easy in hindsight. My one main gripe with the album is about Francis. His playing sounds uninspired throughout. Perfectly adequate of course but lacking a certain sparkle or any sort of innovation or enthusiasm. Oh, and Warning Shot is up there with A Year. Well, almost. But it's very good indeed. 8/10 I think. Could so easily have been a 10. Each to their own but Warning Shot is badly produced insipid rubbish. With a guitar solo that sounds sadly out of tune and uninspired. The vocal makes him sound, as bored of the song as any listener. Whereas A Year is a great song and one of the band called Status Quo’s best songs.
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Post by markquo on Nov 2, 2020 18:00:14 GMT
Take 5-6 songs off here combined with 6 off Heavy Traffic then you have the best material released since Never Too Late and all you need to have since then by the artist formerly known as Status Quo Cheers
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Post by MrWaistcoat on Nov 2, 2020 18:42:20 GMT
paradiseflats I'm afraid I also like Warning Shot! I think the solo is fitting I was certain it would be a single, particularly with Army still in recent public memory. If it had have been a hit, I'm sure it would have had a big influence on what they recorded. The RC were freaking out about the crap sales of AC and PR, and made clear they wanted a rock album. Reckon that's the only reason this wasn't a single. mortified I'm not very big on the title track, but I think the solo is very good Same Good Sign. Take your point about his solos though, on the whole not great
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allyp
Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 575
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Post by allyp on Nov 3, 2020 1:57:44 GMT
The first Quo album of original materiel I bought on day of release. I bought the vinyl version originally as didn’t realise at time the cassette and cd versions had extra tracks on but eventually bought cd a bit later when finally got a cd player at Christmas that year. Compared to the previous few albums a more out and out rock approach and everything high in the mix with lesser production fads. This album got the band back to a bit of where they were at in the early 80s. The singles didn’t chart very well so the event tie in was a good move in bumping up the sales which necessarily may not have happened without that promotion.
Like a zombie, one man band, warning shot all strong tracks and softer material like the title track and mid paced ones like fakin the blues some nice additions. As above says some of the re recordings and covers were questionable for inclusion but the new version of 4500 times knocks spots off of the original. The album is a little padded out but this was the first Quo album Properly aimed at the cd age and using all time consideration of 80 minutes. As most have mentioned some of the b sides may have made a better condensed album of songs but they are nice to have as extra tracks now the deluxe version been released. It is a shame they didn’t follow this album up in a similar way or held parts if it back for a follow up. Up to that point the best album they did in 10 years and would take another 10 todo an album as strong.
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Post by backwater67 on Nov 3, 2020 12:06:57 GMT
IMO the best overall album by Quo mk2. Great songs well produced with more traditional Quo guitar & drum sounds. The reworking of 4500 times is classic. One man band is one of Ricks best ever!
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Post by paradiseflats on Nov 3, 2020 14:44:49 GMT
IMO the best overall album by Quo mk2. Great songs well produced with more traditional Quo guitar & drum sounds. The reworking of 4500 times is classic. One man band is one of Ricks best ever! I think Mark 2’s best album is either Piledriver or On the Level.
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serper
New Rocker Rollin'
Posts: 44
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Post by serper on Nov 3, 2020 19:27:17 GMT
Am I the only one who likes Bring it on home?
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Post by Quoincidence on Nov 3, 2020 19:59:33 GMT
Great album, imo... the only track I always skip is Tommy.
Fair enough, Francis didn't like the production of it on Perfect Remedy and wanted to re-record it, but it should have been left sitting in the archive.
Excellent B-Sides as well, with the likes of Better Times starting off as part of the on-stage jam and later being recorded during the Perfect Remedy sessions to go unused.
It's a shame some of the songs didn't stay in the set too long, like; Like A Zombie, Fakin' The Blues, No Problems
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Post by Victor on Nov 3, 2020 20:21:11 GMT
Great album, imo... the only track I always skip is Tommy. Fair enough, Francis didn't like the production of it on Perfect Remedy and wanted to re-record it, but it should have been left sitting in the archive. Excellent B-Sides as well, with the likes of Better Times starting off as part of the on-stage jam and later being recorded during the Perfect Remedy session to go unused.It's a shame some of the songs didn't stay in the set too long, like; Like A Zombie, Fakin' The Blues, No Problems I really like the b-sides and think it's a shame they weren't on the album. People are often talking about Better times, Heavy Daze and Mysteries from the Ball but personally I really like Dead in the water just as much, something about that song is special to me
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2020 21:16:22 GMT
I really loved this first time I heard it and was just glad to get an album that sounded more like Quo after the pop mediocrity of the previous three releases. If all the covers and Tommy were removed it would have been much better. I even liked the Rossi/Frost numbers, very unusual for me. It also has the accolade of being the only album where I find the quality of Jeff Rich's drumming just about acceptable. The B sides were excellent too, presumably the artistic freedom of them not being album tacks and having to suit record company execs gave them the opportunity to write and sound how they actually wanted. I hoped so much the band had turned a corner with this album, much stronger song writing and Francis's best production till Backbone but no, it was all for nothing. After a great attempt at being the band the fans actually wanted it was back to the utter dross of TW and UTI, the two weakest albums ever released by the band for me. It was a long 11 year wait for the next signs of a renaissance with Heavy Traffic.
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