Hurricane Records - Broughton Band, Edgar

Broughton Band, Edgar - Superchip + (CD)
Eclectic 0693723050720

Genre: Rock
Recorded: 1982
Released: 2006

+ bonustrack; Still sealed. / Eingeschweisst! // By the end of the '70s, the Edgar Broughton Band's eccentric brand of off-kilter, back-alley progressive blues-rock had dated, and their sound was nothing more than a lukewarm attempt at remaining conscious as a new decade approached. 1981's Superchip: The Final Silicon Solution? confirms that the band was past their prime. Superchip is a sterile and rather weak attempt a providing a social commentary through their electric rock growl, which by this point sounds watered down and witless. Even though the album is produced by both of the Broughton brothers, the irreverence and sauciness that they once instilled fails to resurface, replaced by a hollowed out platform in which to exhibit their political astuteness. The songs touch on everything from overpowering governmental rule to big business greed to acid rain, strung together to complete an unattached and obscure concept album. Some of Edgar Broughton's poetry sparks some cleverness and personality, but his lyrics strive to hold any attention without the musicianship present to back them up. Both ''Metal Sunday'' and ''Nighthogs'' sound the most complete and the most substantial of the album's 15 tracks, while ''Not So Funny Farm,'' ''Who Only Fade Away,'' and ''O.D. 47660'' are scoured by complex meanderings both musically and lyrically, and an absurdity that is even out of context for a group such as this. Broughton's metaphors and colorful wordplay grow tiresome and nonsensical as the album unravels, while his abstract wandering and conceptual purpose loses all seriousness along the way. Edgar Broughton's guitar and vocoder usage has its moments, as does Dennis Haynes' keyboard and piano work, and may be the only hint of the group's old sound. The effort to produce a type of Lamb Lies Down on Broadway surrealism to the album falls way short, and the lack of intensity and improvisation are too apparent to claim any compensation. The Edgar Broughton Band's unique form of expression and instrumental edginess is best exemplified on their earlier work. ~ Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide

11.99 EUR