Head East - Flat As a Pancake (9 tracks) +Album Reviews

Mid 70s Hard Rock at its Best

Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 07/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Head East's debut album "Flat as a Pancake" had a title that poked fun of their Midwestern origins, as well as enough energy and songwriting hooks to spurn them to a decade-or-so long career. They didn't come close to repeating its success, but the fact that the album is available on CD more than a quarter of a century after its release says something about its merits. That said, the band's sound is typical mid-70s hard rock, of the kind that was being performed by contemporaries like Bad Company and Bachman Turner Overdrive. They didn't have enough of an edge to be heavy metal and actually aspired to writing a radio hit or two. Head East succeeded in their hitmaking aspirations with "Never Been any Reason," which is the perfect driving song for tooling around town in your classic Camaro. The other highlight is "Jefftown Creek," but there are no real clunkers here.Overall, a good period piece that is still quite listenable today."

Head East Rocks!

rally@vonl.com | Spring, Texas | 08/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Head East was one of the most under appreciated rock groups of the 70s. The fact that they were from the midwest probably had a lot to do with it. Also, they didn't have any gimmicks - no make-up, no smashing instruments, no politically correct lyrics - they simply rocked.This cd is a classic on the strength of "Never Been Any Reason." However, it's got some other cuts well worth listening to over and over. "City of Gold/Fly By Night Lady" features terrific interplay between John Schlitt's vocals and Michael Sommerville's guitar licks, and then builds to a powerful rocking tempo flavored with crisp skin-tingling harmonies.When Head East cranks up the blues-flavored music they are at their best. This is evident on "Lovin' me along." Oddly, though, their most popular songs are those with the heaviest keyboard mixes. Some times you must get past those keyboards and listen to the guitar riffs.Though well worth the investment in time and money, unfortunately "Pancake" is easily the group's second best album. It's unfortunate because "Get Yourself Up" is not available on cd. My poor vinyl copy started to get worn out many, many years ago. I had to copy it to cassette (several times). What a treat it would be to hear those songs with the clarity of a cd - or, at least, the clarity of a new record!"

"Head East", young man!

Shadow Fire Promotions, Inc. | Chicago, IL United States | 08/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Flat As A Pancake, the first studio album from Head East proves that Head East is more than just "Never Been Any Reason", although that is their best known single. All of the tracks on this album are superb songs that you can't help but hit the "repeat" button on your CD player for.

Although little is known about Head East due to their brief time in the spotlight, if you have heard "Never Been Any Reason" on the radio and liked it, then pick up Flat As A Pancake.

Unlike many of the bands at the time, Head East was not a "glam" band, nor did they rely on any other kind of gimmicks or special showmanship to augment their album presence. These guys just played their music, and let it do the talking for them. While not "heavy enough" to be considered "hard rock", but not soft enough to be considered "folk rock" or "easy listening", Head East quite confortably fits into the "classic rock" category of straight rock and roll, with a slew of radio-friendly tunes that would make any radio station drool. If Heead East released Flat As A Pancake in the 90's, rather than the 70's, one would think that these guys would have achieved a much greater level of attention than they did. Every person I have ever spoken to about this album has had nothing but positive things to say about Head East, and it's just a shame that the band does not enjoy a greater level of commercial success.

Being from Chicago, I personally enjoyed discovering that the band originated here in Illinois. I also liked the album artwork, where the "pancake" theme was recurring, both on the front cover, and the inside, which features the band members eating (what else?) pancakes. It has been stated that the album title was meant to poke fun at the midwest region where the band started out, due to it being mostly flatland.

Overall, an enjoyable CD, and for a 20th Century Masters album to be put out on these guys shows that they still have an influence on music over 20 years later."

Rock n roll classic lyrics that will live on for generations

Shadow Fire Promotions, Inc. | 11/04/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"HAVING SEEN HEAD EAST EVERY TIME THEY CAME OUT TO THE WEST I GREW UP APPRECIATING THEIR MUSIC. GOING ON TO WORK AS A SOUND AND LIGHT PERSON FOR A LOCAL ROCK BAND,WE LOVED DOING "NEVER BEEN ANY REASON". IT IS STILL VERY POPULAR TODAY AT MOST ROCK CLUBS. AS OTHERS HAVE COMMENTED I WOULD BUY ALL THERE CD'S IF THEY WERE AVAILABLE!!!ARE YOU LISTENING ROGER BOYD???(PRODUCER OF HEAD EAST ALBUMS). MIKE SOMMERVILLE IS A GREAT SONG WRITER,BELIVE IT OR NOT THEY HAVE SOME GREAT SLOW SONGS "DANCE AWAY LOVER" BY JOHN SCHLITT,"TICKET BACK TO GEORGIA"STEVE HUTSON AND "IF YOU KNEW ME BETTER"MIKE SOMMERVILLE. COME ON HEAD EAST LSITEN TO YOUR FANS PUT A COLLECTION CD OUT OR SOMETHING FOR US DIEHARD FANS!!!"

A Great Mix Of Styles, And A Positive Lyrical Message

Shadow Fire Promotions, Inc. | 09/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Head East's debut mixes southern-style rock with high-tech synthesizers, and adds a uniquely positive lyrical message. "Never Been Any Reason", "Love Me Tonight", and "Fly By Night Lady" talk about love and dating in different ways, while "One Against The Other" and "Brother Jacob" warn against hatred and sin, respectively. "City Of Gold", "Jefftown Creek", and "Lovin' Me Along" still inspire me to work harder at things, and finally, "Ticket Back To Georgia" expresses sentiments similar to what I'm feeling about going back to visit my old school. The only problem with this album is that it's too perfect; Head East started at the top of their game and never quite equalled FLAT AS A PANCAKE."

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	Head East Flat As a Pancake Genres: Pop, Rock, Metal Track Listings (9) - Disc #1 Never Been Any Reason One Against The Other Love Me Tonight City Of Gold Fly By Night Lady Jefftown Creek Lovin' Me Along Ticket Back To Georgia Brother Jacob No Description Available. Genre: Popular Music Media Format: Compact Disk Rating: Release Date: 24-SEP-1991
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