Search - Small Faces :: There Are But Four Small Faces

ONE OF THE MOST JOYOUS RECORDS EVER MADE!

MurrayTheCat | upstate New York | 10/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When spring comes each year, it seems the blossoms, the smells, the whole intoxicating beauty of the thing passes much to fast. The spring of 2002 was different for us in Upstate NY. It was warm early, the blossoms came out, but then it turned colder and stayed that way for about three weeks, leaving everything in full bloom - like a frozen psychedelic wonderland. I love that kind of stuff.Few albums are filled with as much youthful passion as this one. The songs are inspired, full of life and feeling. They burst with melody and the rhythms are so infectious that you can't sit still. The music is a soaring, heady experience much like the frozen spring beauty described above. There is an indescribable joy in these songs, and the sound of the group and the ever-so-passionate vocals of Steve Marriott only add to the intense enjoyment. This band could rock hard with the best of them - "Talk To You," "Get Yourself Together" and "Have You Ever Seen Me" - but with oodles of added finesse. "Itchycoo Park" sports alluring melodies and alluring lyrics and vocals...quite delicious. The special effects are grand! The band also hits you with a couple of heart-grabbing wonders like the gorgeous "I'm Only Dreaming" and the beautifully touching "Show Me The Way," with that enchanting harpsichord...so stately, so wonderful. And finally, is there a more orgasmic tune, anywhere by anyone, than "Tin Soldier"? It's rhapsodic beyond belief...you've got to hear it to believe it! This album was released in the US in February of 1968, but the little charmer is really from 1967. Many of these songs were released on a British LP in June of '67. "Itchycoo Park" and "Tin Soldier" were both released as singles in '67 as well, so the album was quite late in coming to the States.I got to know this album quite well before "Ogden's Nut Gone Flake" came along. I am thrilled with the brilliant "Ogden's," however I must be honest and say that it in no way surpassed "There Are But Four Small Faces." Much of "Ogden's" sounds derivative of this one. Some of the licks on "Ogden's" actually sound a bit cliché after this, and the passion isn't as intense. These are minor quibbles; "Ogden's" is a fantastic record. Although, I can't help but wonder if much of the hoopla concerning "Ogden's" is the "concept" thing - people seem to be enamored by it. Is "Ogden's a concept album? I'll partially agree that HALF of it might be, but certainly not in the way that, for example, "Days Of Future Passed" (Moody Blues) is a total concept - an idea that's dealt with throughout the album."There Are But Four Small Faces" is very dear to my heart. "Ogden's" is great, but this one will always be my favorite from this band. They just don't make music like this anymore. I urge you to buy this rhapsodic wonder, this most fabulous of albums. Ah, the spring air, the delight and beauty, the freshness of the colors...pure ecstasy!
Cheers,
Murray"

*** INTENSE POWER POP & PSYCHEDELIC AT IT'S BEST *

Nick Sant Nicola | South Beach, Miami | 11/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"**** This LP/CD is one of the best ever... Period ****



It's tragic that no one promoted The Small Faces in the States during this era of their career. They were a fantastic, super high-energy act.... on same level as The Who.... could blow anybody off the stage.



Try downloading some of their videos off the Net with WinMx.

Watch them play !



Marriot was a raging underated singer/performer. Could sing as powerful as Robert Plant and control the stage like a veteran rocker. Was great that he made it here later with Humble Pie.... but Small Faces were so cool, classic and charismatic .....they WERE 'the' mod act.... Rod Stewert's version of Faces is simply lame by comparison.



+ May Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriot Rest In Peace ...

..... God Bless Them +"

One of my personal favorites of all time

His Beat Goes On... | NH United States | 09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I actually bought this album used when I was in high school in the early 80s because of Itchycoo Park. I then found a full album of magical songs and catchy riffs. I love the bass/organ line in the opening of "Up the wooden hills", the catchy chorus of "My way of Giving", the unique sound and dreamy verses of "I feel much better", the rocking sound of "Tin soldier", the beauty of "Show me the way" and "I'm only dreaming", the groove of "Here come the nice" and the psychedelia of "Green Circles".
Great album. I was lucky to find the cd in 1991 when Marriott died."