1969 album by Minneapolis' most popular garage band of the 60s, and their first for a major label. By the time this album was released the band's sound had begun take an interesting new direction and towards psych and hard... more » rock, but unfortunately the band broke up shortly after and the only fame they ever achieved was with fans of the Nuggets series.« less
1969 album by Minneapolis' most popular garage band of the 60s, and their first for a major label. By the time this album was released the band's sound had begun take an interesting new direction and towards psych and hard rock, but unfortunately the band broke up shortly after and the only fame they ever achieved was with fans of the Nuggets series.
"This was the first rock band I saw live...way back in about 1969. They opened for Creedence Clearwater Revival in Kansas City. They blew CCR off the stage. CCR were slow and boring compared to these guys. The lead guitarist was down on one knee for most of the show...psychedelic leads screaming. Heavy Metal's beginnings. When I saw them they were promoting this album. They were better live than in the studio but it's still a must have."
Neglected Classic 60's Rock
Lawrence A. Strid | Mission Viejo, CA | 03/03/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Litter were a garage band with an early hit called "Action Woman" that is featured on the Nuggets box set, a must have 4 CD set of early sixties psychedelica. They progressed into a more hard-edged proto-metal band in the late sixties with a style somewhat reminiscent of Blue Cheer's second album or the MC5's first live album. Emerge reaches the apogee of their development with this release, which features ear-shattering guitar work, great lead vocals, and a drummer (Tom Murray, what happened to you?) who utilizes a double-bass kit with an expertise akin to a Paul Whaley or a Ginger Baker. His drum solo on the extended cut "Future Of The Past" is phenomenal. If you are a fan of this kind of music you will thrive on this. Just their cover tune of "Little Red Book" (which was penned by Burt Bacharach), and which makes the cover by Love pale by comparison, is worth the price of this album."
Truly under the radar
J. Mccleary | 09/29/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"You have heard drum solos like "Ina-gada-da-vida" by Iron Butterfly, "The Mule" Deep Purple's "Made In Japan" version, "Rat Salad" by Black Sabbath , However If you ever get a chance to hear The Litter's drum solo on "Future of the Past", It will not only open your eyes, It also will demand your attention! Somebody please tell me why these guys didn't get an invite to Woodstock '69?"
Minnesota rock at its finest
Kevin D. Rathert | Carbondale, IL | 10/04/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Emerge" was the third and final album by Minnesota's renowned rock band The Litter in their first life. The Litter released three albums between 1966 and 1969, then taking a long break before releasing their next album "Live At The Mirage 1990." The band's first two albums, 1966's "Distortions" and 1967's "$100 Fine" have long been available on Erik Lindgren's MA based reissue Arf Arf label. "Emerge" however, has long been out of print. Cleopatra Records has done a wonderful job in filling that void and adding the non-lp single side "On Our Minds" as a bonus track. For collectors, the two Arf Arf cds and "Emerge" include every side released by the Litter between 1966 and 1969. Not only was "Emerge" originally issued on a new label, but also with a new lead guitarist, with Ray Melina replacing Tom "Zippy" Caplan who moved on to two of Minnesota's best known rock bands, the power trio White LIghtning and the quintet Lightning. Melina not only does a great job on guitar but also helped write 3 of the albums 8 tracks. "Emerge" is probably best known for Tommy Murray's drum solo on the 12 and 1/2 minute opus "Future Of The Past" but includes many other highlights. In fact, all of the tracks shine save the band's take on Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth." In particular the band's cover of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Little Red Book" long considered one of Arthur Lee and Love's finest moments, is killer. Both singles culled from the album "Silly People" and "Blue Ice" stand out. Hats off to Cleopatra for finally making the missing link of The Litter's catalog available to fans. Plus the cd can be obtained from drop shippers rather inexpensively. Fans of the Litter familiar with "Emerge" will want to snatch this cd up before it goes out of print again. But the cd is desirable not only to complete Litter collections but as a fine album on its own merit."