Search - Vanilla Fudge :: Mystery

One of the most Under-rated albums of the 80s

C. Loftis | White House, TN United States | 03/14/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I became a second generation Fudge fan, buying their earlier records and loving them. This album came out when I was in high school, I just happened to see it in a record store one day. There was very little promotion for the album, I was just lucky that I saw it. It immediately became one of my all time favorites. The songs are strong, filled with emotion and to me, the Fudge never sounded better. When vinyl gave way to cds, I never thought I would see this on cd because it was out of print. I was lucky enough again to find a European import. It sounded good, just like the vinyl record. This release from Wounded Bird, the albums third release that I know of, is a remarkable improvement. The sound clarity is awesome, you hear so much more of the music than you did in the vinyl or the other cd release. Completely top notch re- mastering.



Why this album wasn't a huge hit is a "Mystery" to me. It was produced by Spencer Proffer who the year before produced Quiet Riot's smash debut "Metal Health". "Mystery" has a hard, punchy sound, yet soft, melodic and emotional when it needed to be. It rocks with the best of them. Their version of "Walk On By" has become my favorite, they have always had a knack for great interpretations. They also do a great rendition of "My World Is Empty". Their originals are awesome as well, "Golden Age Dreams" is a great opening to the album followed by "Jealousy", just an all around good rocker. "Mystery", the title song, may be my favorite song on the album. This is a sonic masterpiece. Hard, punchy drums, great vocals, great lyrics, great soft melodic tones -- very very nice.



The album picks up steam again with "Under Suspicion", great lyrics again and another all around good rocker. "It Gets Stronger", is another sonic masterpiece, also a very heartfelt emotional song, very well performed.



On the vinyl, we would be at the beginning of Side 2, on the cd we are at song #6 with "Walk On By". The synth opening may be a little over the top but once it gets into it, the song is incredible. Like I stated earlier, this has become my favorite version of the song. Next, we have "Don't Stop Now". Mark Stein sounds awesome here, a great interpretation. "Hot Blood" is another great rocker that makes you want to be with someone special, another great Fudge original. The album closes with "The Stranger", again another sonic masterpiece that really benefited from this re-mastering. A great closing that musically you just want to hear over and over.



In Summary, "Mystery" is a fantastic album that Vanilla Fudge should be proud of. I truly believe that it is their best album. The music to me never sounds dated and its an album that I don't get tired of hearing. The Wounded Bird Re-Master is awesome.

"

Fudge failed attempt at an '80's sound

P. Baum | Tampa, FL | 01/27/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Don't get me wrong - I've loved the Vanilla Fudge since their first LP was released. First time I saw them, they were supposed to open for Cream. Cream didn't show up, and I was actually happy because it meant the Fudge would play longer. But "Mystery" was a let-down. Vinnie Martell plays very little on it and, worse, Mark Stein (one of the most underrated rock musicians ever) plays very little B-3 organ. He mostly uses what were the most modern synths of the Eighties, and it just doesn't sound like the classic Fudge. The songs are OK ("My World Is Empty Without You" was an inspired choice for a cover) but not particularly memorable. I saw the Fudge with the original line-up a couple years ago and they are as good as ever. Stick with the first album, "Renaissance," (their best) and "Near the Beginning.""

A reunion album that works

D. Allin | Albuquerque, NM | 01/06/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
I've always been a big Fudge fan, and even have Cactus albums, Beck Bogert & Appice albums, and Tim Bogert's solo album. When Mystery was first released, I bought the vinyl album and loved it, and now I finally have it on CD as well. This is a return to form for Vanilla Fudge, with the accessible sound and excellent cover songs of their first few albums, before they went too progressive and lost their way. This version is still mainly Bogert and Appice, but Vinnie Martel and Mark Stein were involved on many of the songs, and the group sounds really together. As always, their best songs are covers of Motown hits, but some of their own songs, like Golden Age Dreams, rock pretty well also. Most reunion albums are weak and forgettable, but this one is truly worthy."