Klaatu's fourth album got away from them . . . .
Z. Spencer | CA United States | 01/05/2004
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Klaatu's fourth (of five studio and two 'hits' packages) album got away from them . . . . literally. Capitol records offered them a chance to "redeem" themselves by allowing them to do it Capitol's way. With their unappreciated genius steadily tanking their career, the band this time sent demos to their producer in L.A., who recorded the basic backing tracks without the band, then later overdubbed or replaced much of the band's contributions with session players. Indeed, it appears that drummer Terry Draper doesn't actually play drums on the album. What emerged from the sessions was 1981's "endangered species," a generic-sounding 80's pop that neither engaged, tantalized, nor salvaged their career. (It could have been a sad finish for perhaps the greatest "prog-pop" group ever, were it not for a lucky Canadian break.) New Producer Chris Bond deep-sixed their multi-layered, laborious, meticulous, clever M.O., and replaced it with "American"-sounding songs designed for that all-important "airplay."There are two geniune gems here: "Sell Out Sell Out" is a tongue-in-cheek faux-autobiographical paean to their real-lilfe situation (and touches an amusing and melancholy chord). It's well-written, well-sung, and well-placed. Sadly, as the second-to the-last song, it is also too little, too late to save the album. Also, sadly, this song is NOT on either of Klaatu's hit's packages - this is the only place you'll find it. The last song "All Good Things (Must Pass)" is tender and sappy enough to actually bring a tear to your eye. John Woloschuck's vocals are lovely and the guitar (also Woloschuck's) is crisp and crystalline.The rest of the songs aren't bad; they simply aren't great, and certainly don't reach the bar set by most of their previous material. This one's for the Klaatu completist only. You're better off buying the first two albums "3:47 EST" and "Hope" (which are also available as a 2-albums-on one-CD special) if you want to know what everyone was excited about in the late 70's."
Oh ! the pain.
James Upham | Oshkosh B'Gosh | 07/02/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I remember buying this album in anticipation that they would continue where "Sir Army Suite" left off. Unfortunately my hopes were dashed and found myself with a new frisbee. I tried listening to it a couple days later hoping that what I heard was a bad dream and that it would be something I could salvage...only "all good things" was the only track that had an ounce of playability attached to that word.
There so-called come back album or final epitah "Magentalane" would only confirm the bloom was off the rose and that Klaatu had nothing more in the tank or anything to offer."
Yikes!
Rick | Rhode Island, USA | 08/30/2008
(1 out of 5 stars)
"With the exception of the first track, I Can't Help It, there is absolutely nothing worthwhile on here. It sounds like they phoned it in on this one. It must have been a contractual obligation record and is actually a painful listen. All you need to play is the track Sell Out, Sell Out and you'll catch on. Sell out, Sell Out ... says it all."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1