Great album
Lee J. Davito | 02/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was the last album featuring the orignial lineup....the material has a harder, more aggressive feel than the previous. The recording quality is very good...The writing has matured further.
Is sad that the band went different directions after this effort.
I was around in the Bloodrock heyday and saw them live several times....and they were a great live band...
Buy this cd"
Un-freakin' believable rock from the 70's. Nothing compares
Misha Bendavid | Austin, Texas United States | 03/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bloodrock's first four records received regular, almost daily, play in my bedroom in the early 70's. My girlfriend came to hate them, because she liked "happy" music. When I worked in FM radio, I wedged them in every time I thought the PD was asleep. Forget the gory hit single "D.O.A", these mofos could rock ! These guys are really jazz musicians; you can hear the incredible swing in their rhythms and drummer Rick Cobb knew how to throw offbeat fills in that made their songs really fun and gave them incredible groove. Indeed, their songs were darker than anything Sabbath or Blue Oyster Cult were dishing out, because you had the sense that they knew what they were talking about. But their clever writing style, relentless sonic punch; crisp, well timed guitar solos and genuinely spooky lyrics made this band one of a kind. How I wish musicians were half as ambitious, now."
Entering the border
J. Talsma | Amsterdam, Netherlands | 07/18/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"After 3 splendid studio-albums (titled Bloodrock I, II and III) and the rousing double "Live" the band, still with the original line-up in tact, ended gracefully with "U.S.A.", which can stand in the shadow of their earlier work but cast a forbidden shadow towards their future. Openingsong is written by future members Warren Ham, who contributes flute and his brother Bill, which shows already what direction next was taking (as on "Passage " and "Whirlwind Tongue"-albums demonstrated). Next followes 3 songs written by long time collaborater, tunesmith extraordinair John Nitzinger, all in the Bloodrock vein and as such easy recognizable. That closes the old first side of the elpee. Side two is written entirely by the bandmembers themself and has also a lot to offer. Pomp and prog rock, with driven organ and searing guiters, courtesy of messrs. Hill and Pickens respectively. They close majestically with the epic "Magic Man" (not to be confused with the Heart song of the same title) with has eerie piano instead of organ. They end in style with a heavyrock bonus "Erosion". That was the end of the first era in many ways. Singer Rutledge en guitarplayer Pickens opted for a solocarriere and left the band, sadly, to be replaced by aforementioned Ham Brothers, who did their job well but were on a differend path. That leaves us so far by this "U.S.A." album as a fitting musical border. Even after 30 years still strongly recommended as one of the finest rockalbums of its time."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1