This is a new review section as I take a look through my extensive record collection and give some props to bands that have been lost to the mists of time or are not given the props that I feel they deserve. None of these reviews will be because a band or artists has an anniversary of an album or a new release, it will solely be going through my record collection and picking out some records that I think deserve a bit of a mention. First up is Rockets.
Formed in 1972 by former Detroit Wheels alumini Jimmy McCarty and John Badanjek, Rockets were a rockin’ bluesy band of which there were thousands of similar scruffy oiks trying to make a fortune, or the very least earning enough for beer money. The Rockets made five studio albums over the course of their initial 11 year cycle, of which this album was their second, and secured support slots with the likes of Kiss.
This album would be a peak of commercial and critical success for the band. The cover of the brilliant Peter Green-penned “Oh Well” provided them with a stellar Top 40 hit. Former Amboy Dukes frontman David Gilbert is the voice and it is classically suited to this heavy pop-rock sound. David Hood handled bass duties whilst Dennis Robbins joined McCarty in the six-string ranks.
“Can’t Sleep” is the easy going funky strutting opener which displays the band’s effortless cool. “Turn Up The Radio” is like an American version of Status Quo. So far so good.
There is a wonderful guitar solo by Jim McCarty on side one easy rollin’ closer “Lost Forever, Left For Dreaming”. Side Two opens with a good cover of Bob Seger’s “Long Long Gone” which is faithful to the original but adds a little extra Rockets snap.
“Love Me Once Again” is a rip-roaring rocker that deserves to be played alongside the great rock tracks of the age but for some reason, as yet unknown, it barely gets a mention. “Something Ain’t Right” is a ballad that covers all the tropes and stylings of the era.
After a standard cover of Little Richard’s boogie “Lucille” is followed by the album closer “Feel Alright” which finishes things off in mighty fine rockin’ style.
Rockets disbanded in 1983 and went through various reformations with different members before finally calling it a day in 2017.
Donnie’s Rating: 8.5/10
