Small Faces - Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake CD [2007 REISSUE with 14 Bonus tracks] [NEW/SEALED]

If it werent for the stunning quality of the first side plus the bonus tracks on CD, this rating could easily been a star or more lower. Actually, the original LP might not even be that superstrong. The easy solution is to buy the CD re-issue: for once, you get a flawed while already very good album with a huge number of bonus tracks that are partly quintessential, partly forgotten gems. In this case, the enhanced CD is the definitive purchase.

Anyway. The first side of the original LP is one of the best sets of songs on one vinyl side ever. Theyre all classics except Long Agos and Worlds Apart, which in turn improves the sequencing by putting in a just-decent melody for once. Its psychedelic pop-rock at its best, from the classic instrumental intro (hypnotic) to the rocking singalong anthem of Lazy Sunday.

These guys could rock as hard as the Stones, play as melodically versatile as the Kinks and had the demanding pressure of the Animals and were eager disciples of the psychedelic Beatles (listen to the excellent Rene and, say, Baby, Youre a Rich Man in a row). And sometimes they did all these things in one song. Their sound is amazing, a muscular bass, roaring but non-flashy electric and acoustic guitars, great production. Its a commonplace that Steve Marriott is the 1960s' hidden frontman if there ever was one, having no trouble to sneer, balladeer and roar, and always come of as a character. If youre at all interested in psychedelic 1960s rock, get this immediately. It may take three or four listens but youll find yourself singing out loud to every single song on side one in no time.

I dont know how to explain the weird decision of the second side with its fairytale/shaggy dog narrative and singalong kiddy melodies played to rock music. Its as if they were sitting in the studio, banging out one superb single after another and deciding that, since everybody else was doing concept albums, the second album side had to consist of art. Also, the art should come of as non-serious and playful, because everything else would be just pretentious, now wouldnt it.

Again, this is an example that the Small Faces were a great band with the tendency for tardiness. Everybody else was doing concept albums. So they wanted theirs too and thats nice. Its just a stupid move to screw up an alltime great album just for fun. Because this is what its about, theyre daring to have fun at the cost of the music critic who wants the consistently brilliant rock album theyre capable of! Well, they do it with open eyes and deliberate purpose, so I can respect that. And, after all this haggling, I need to point out that Side B here is by no means bad. The melodies are good singalong melodies, the narrative is all good fun, the songs between the narrative rock, Happiness Stan shows enough potential to feel like a missed opportunity and hey, the medieval ballad Mad John even has an emotional grip on me. I guess Im just crying over the fact that the Small Faces straight-facedly flipped the bird to their last chance to commercial success as album musicians.

BONUS TRACKS:

Now, one could write a whole new review on the CDs bonus material. You get 40 minutes worth of essential singles, B-sides and some less interesting live tracks. Thats more material than the actual album, mind you. It plays like a hit collection in itself; the Small Faces simply had an amazing output of singles. Itchycoo Park, sure, but also the straight rocker Talk to You, the sunny pop ditty The Universal and another signature psychedelic pop/rock anthem Donkey Rides, a Penny a Glass among others. One of the best 1960s bands, even when judged by this CD alone.

- Rate Your Music review

EAN: 803415128921

SNAP 289 CD

Charly Records, 2007

Country: UK

NEW/SEALED

C03