"These guys could rock!They lived the life and acted the part of other bands of the time,only...they were so far ahead (and way,way far behind.)So,why would anyone 20 odd years later take interest in some obscure band and this album now? How is it possible that everyone in the U.S. missed them;liked Grand Funk and Cactus.Then there was Uriah Heep,Black Oak Arkansas and Queen.(I know I'll take some heat for that one!)All of these bands were without question more successful,sold more units and were household names.The Pretty Things had transitioned from 60's blues band to heavy,although somewhat "off to wall" power gig.They rocked with Page and Plant,and yet- ....the songs on this album are very strong."Keeping bad company" is downright simple but filled with anxiety."It isn't rock 'n roll " is the hit single they should of had,it's basically a three chord wonder;but...I like it! Once again,the answer to why,what went wrong and where are they now.The Pretty Things were not a band that lent itself easily to others,not an easy listening-wash the dishes type situation.No!If you're going to listen to this,sit down and think about whats going on.Phil May wrote and sang with style;yet,to most American ears the Pretty Things were just another English- Rare Earth."
Pretty Things - 'Savage Eye' (Snapper)
Mike Reed | USA | 08/28/2006
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Originally released in 1975,as this was the last album the band recorded,just prior to vocalist Phil May exiting the group.Thus,after that Pretty Things decided to call it a day.Good thing,TOO.Because it doesn't appear that there were any other original members left.Of course as most of you know they didn't reunite until a while later.Unfortunately,'Savage Eye' simply doesn't cut it.Unless you're a Pretty Things completist,you might want to avoid this CD altogether.A couple of tracks I thought were so-so were "Under The Volcano","Remember That Boy" and "It's Been So Long".Line-up:Phil May-guitar&vocals,Jack Green-guitar,Gordon Edwards-bass,Norman Smith-sax and Skip Allan-drums."
The band other bands listen to
06/03/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"David Bowie made two PT numbers on his PinUps simply because they are so bloody good!The group other groups listen to and get ideas from. The first rock opera => SF Sorrows! Second rock opera? Tommy by The Who, eight months later.Can't understand why they haven't been recognised with their own site?"
Eclectic 70's
R. schmuecker | Iowa, USA | 01/02/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Pretty Things had quite a few different
incarnations of talent in the group thru the years.
This particular album has Jack Green
playing back up guitar and backup vocals.
A standout track is Sad Eye,a haunting slower
ballad with Mr. Jack Green up front for once.
Outstanding."
Overlooked gem
red | Gilbert, Az United States | 01/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"OK, my 5 STAR is really only a 4.5 here as 4 STARS just didn't seem right for this overlooked gem.
Here we have The Pretties wanting it pretty bad. After the dismal SILK TORPEDO lp, overhyping of the band, drug episodes,
grueling tour schedules and ego trips they entered the studio with a newly reformed alcoholic's taste for 12 year old scotch. To paraphrase the liner notes, they simply
were going to "crack". The lightest touch of a hammer to an eggshell would send these bad boys into an oblivion derived Bellvue burlesque
soap opera's last minute of airing (whatever the heck that means!)
Mr. Reed's banal review simply means he didn't really listen with any intent of hearing anything possibly new or refreshing.
Maybe because "the members weren't original" or maybe he just wanted to hear some 60s white English boys take of Muddy Waters and American
blues (were there any really good UK blues band anyway?) The first Pretties record on Fontana WAS maybe
as good as this cute white boy blues fad could blossom forth. Maybe he wanted to just keep hearing more watered down "our band can't move on" S. F. SORROW
material? Don't blame him as that landmark proved critical and essential listening but thank God a great band doesn't repeat themselves as their next lp
PARACHUTE was simply a great Rock n' Roll record void of cliché and D.C.al Fine. PARACHUTE went on to be Rolling Stones ALBUM OF THE YEAR 1970 when the magazine was
actually a driving force behind the music of the day and not the advertising of the day.
While the whole purpose of my review is the material at hand and not to beat up Mr. Reed, after all he obviously has great taste for great music and he
is rightfully entitled to his writings of such things Pretty. He doesn't list the established afterward members Tolson and Povey who
are superb here. Tolson sounds amazing and you can almost feel his sweat running down YOUR face onto HIS guitar! His playing is very emotional and
dynamic throughout. Using simple layering techniques that are common guitar "trickery" nowadays he still manages to bring that raw nasty sting to your speakers.
Same with Povey. Just listen to the Wurlitzer in "It's Been So Long." Listen to May here! He wants it! This track is just one of those tracks where you can
feel the ALL of the pain and AND all the desire on tape! (what is that sound during the breaks? A cymbal ring out closed miked?)
Devilish and Agile lyrics that 10 years gone (no swan song pun intended) would make a man.
The rhythm section is full pulse from the start. Just listen to the groove kick in after the 1st guitar riff into the verse on "Under The Volcano." It never lets up.
May is simply fabulous from track 1 to the last. Although I would of personally wanted to hear some of the lead parts mixed UP a bit in the mix.
The whole thing produced by Norman Smith (and I won't name drop here) is a wonderful sonic listen to. I have my qualms about certain things
(mainly the high end of the finished 2 track masters) but it does speak aloud and it holds up high even today. Kudos as this band was a time bomb
and it is a miracle they finished it! Listen to the background vocals he gets this band to produce. Too sweet at times but never over the top like an 80s
McCartney lp. Sometimes over production is abound here but never taking away the depth of the band and their song. He leaves space in the great Tolson
song "Sad Eye" with the first minute and a half or so just simple acoustic guitar and vocal and adding very sparse accompaniment later but letting the song really be the
main focus. The rock songs are done with great care of the added vocals but not curbing that great Tolson tone driving the whole thing like a
a young trick waiting in a strange Vegas penthouse awaiting some high class call girl! They really do rock when they rock here! The big finish is the appropriate "Drowned Man."
Again, very cool juxtaposed sparse piano intro with rhythm section and WHAMMO that guitar and the brutal vocal May "drowns" us with. Great middle "24!" More brutality that
successfully segues into the beautiful Povey closer "Theme For Michelle.".
This is a great album that really never had a chance from the beginning. AVOID THE BONUS TRACKS as they simply suck! They do not belong here and only
exist here because of circumstance. 4 to 4 1/2½ STARS easy. Check it out.
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
