Tag: budgie

The one Budgie album that most people have heard of – well, if you’re a Metallica fan anyway, as they covered Breadfan on their Garage days EP.

This is the band’s third album released in ’73. They were a big deal in the mid seventies in their first reincarnation and were an influence on a lot of heavier bands as the riff was king. They also had a thing for having the most amazing song titles like You’re The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk that starts with a drum solo, and the amazing In The Grip Of A Tyre Fitters Hand which, along with Breadfan, are the best two tracks on the album. I haven’t played this in a while and it does sound dated, but if you love seventies blues rock you will get a blast out it that’s for sure, and they are a killer live band. Sadly Burke Shelley is no longer with us as he passed away last year.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

After the band’s return in 1980, this is the second album and Deliver Us From Evil would be the final release from that period. This is definitely the most melodic of all Budgie albums. The writing partnership between band founder, Burke Shelley, and guitarist, John Thomas, was working great and I for one was definitely surprised when they disappeared again without recording anything else until 2006.

Opening track, Turned To Stone, is a killer opening track with a great melody and hook – plus an awesome instrumental section. Keeping A Rendezvous is a cool song with a superb harmony and great guitar from Thomas. Reaper Of The Glory opens with a cool chord pattern and an almost shuffle groove. Side 1 closes out with She Used Me Up and is quite a simple riff and groove, very NWOBHM sounding.

Side 2 opens with the amazing Lay Down And Die – a great song and a killer ending. Apparatus is as close to a ballad as this band gets. Superstar is next, which is my favourite track on the album, and with a monster riff and groove, this track really swings. Change Your Ways follows and has a somewhat Beatles vibe to it but much heavier. The album closes out with Untitled Lullaby and is an acoustic piece – and if I’m honest, it’s a bit of a let down to close out the album, but it’s still a great record.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

This is Budgie’s 10th studio release, and other than an attempted comeback in 2006, this would be their last. This album is a much more melodic and commercial album compared to their other releases, and it was received pretty poorly by the critics at the time. They accused main man Burke Shelley of bringing his new found Christian values into the music, although, I can’t really see that. What you do get is a great melodic rock album with great songs. great melodies, and some killer playing.

Opening track, Bored With Russia, is the only track not written by the band and was written by American producer, Beau Hill – a great opening tune. Next up is the fantastic Don’t Cry, a great tune with a great riff and some tasty guitar from John Thomas. What you do notice is that there is a ton of keyboards on most of the tracks, and whether that was what the critics were moaning about I’m not sure. The pretty straightforward Truth Drug follows, a typical Budgie track. Next song, Young Girl, is the only track that doesn’t sound like the band – it could be any American rock band from this period of the time. Side closer and the album epic track, Flowers In The Attic, is based on the book of the same name by V.C. Andrews. Very slow build up, with the stolen Randy Rhoads middle section, and the big rock ending.

Side 2 opener, N.O.R.A.D, is another attempt at writing a song about an apocalyptic future. It is a really good tune with some excellent playing, and again another killer middle section. Give Me The Truth is a straight up decent hard rock song. Alison is the obligation wimp out ballad track that is a great mood killer. Finger On The Button is probably the band’s blatant attempt at a single – at least that’s what is sounds like to me. Album close out track, Hold On To Love (which would turn out to be the final recorded output of the band for over 25 years) has a Maiden style gallop with a very sing a long melodic chorus – a good end to a good album.

Guitarist, John Thomas, who is sadly no longer with us was one of the great unsung guitar heroes of the time. I saw the band a few times and he was killer live – as were all of the band.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.