From the land of Big Star
hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The surge of 1970s rock that was recorded at the Ardent studio resulted in the better-known releases of Big Star, but also this little-remembered wonder. Released on the Ardent house label, and a product of the same Memphis influences as their better remembered labelmates, The Hot Dogs offer a more soulful taste of Memphis than the exuberant power-pop of Alex Chilton, et al. There's plenty of the Beatles/Badfinger melodic constructions (and the acoustic/electric guitar mixes and harmony singing that accompany them), but also some touches of flute and funky organ (the latter of which brings to mind The Zombies) and jazzy drumming. Unlike the multitude of Big Star reissues, the Hot Dogs' first long-player has always been fairly difficult to find. This Japanese mini-LP sleeve reissue is crisply remastered and offers extensive Japanese-language liner notes."