Author: Peter Podbrežnik
Artist: Atomic Rooster
Label: Sanctuary Records
Released: 1971
Length: 41:24
Rating: 4/5
»In Hearing of Atomic Rooster« was the third studio album from the cult heavy prog rockers Atomic Rooster, who had just put out the triumphant single »Devil’s Answer«, which landed them their highest chart placing in Britain in their long and turbulent career. As on the previous two records, Atomic Rooster weren’t immune to lineup changes, which inevitably brought a shift in sound along with them. Riding the wave of that hit single, they decided to cash in on the unexpected, short-lived burst of popularity and brought in singer Pete French, who took over the mic from guitarist John Du Cann (1946-2011). Du Cann wasn’t exactly thrilled about it, but he threw himself into the guitar work and his changed role in the band anyway. Increasingly frequent clashes with the band’s boss, the unlucky organ virtuoso and piano player Vincent Crane (1943-1989), took their toll and eventually led to Du Cann’s (temporary) departure after this album.
French’s bluesy, salt-of-the-earth vocals meant that »In Hearing of« took on a good dose of rhythm and blues, noticeably moving away from the hard-hitting progressive rock with a dark atmosphere that the band had built its name on across the previous two records. Even though it isn’t a ‘typical’ Atomic Rooster record steeped in gloomy obscurity, »In Hearing of« is a thoroughly successful album, packed with brilliant moments from organ wizard Crane, from Du Cann loaded up with heavy-rock guitar licks, and from Paul Hammond (1952-1992), armed with intricate drum maneuvers.
The changed sound of the ‘atomic roosters’ is plainly audible right from the opener »Breakthrough«, a solid number that kicks off with a galloping piano rhythm and choppy drum work. French’s bluesy vocals fit nicely with the tense barroom atmosphere created by Crane’s piano and Du Cann’s fiery guitar passages. The lyrics echo a person’s inner turmoil, which also mirrored Crane’s frequent mental health struggles. The dark bridge between prog and heavy rock, »Break The Ice«, is a far more traditional Atomic Rooster creation, with an ominous guitar riff and a massive layer of Hammond organ, while French, with a heartfelt vocal performance, proves he was yet another of the many unbridled vocal talents who never knew how to turn it into greater fame.
»Decision/Indecision« is an ethereal ballad soaked in gorgeous piano arrangements. With French’s melodic singing, which this time doesn’t carry even a hint of bluesy bitterness, it’s atmospherically one of the loveliest pieces in the story of this cult British band. The complex and adventurous prog rock instrumental merry-go-round »A Spoonful of Bromide Helps The Pulse Rate Goes Down« is a superb showcase of the outstanding solo talent of all three instrumentalists, especially the master Crane, who once again shines with untamed organ passages while Du Cann’s guitar howls like a hungry wolf. Hammond is just as great, mercilessly pounding his way around the drum kit.
»Black Snake«, drenched in a dark ambience, features Crane on lead vocals. His frenetic voice goes down perfectly with the tense organ backing, suiting the creepy atmosphere and the lyrics about a black snake, which here is used as a slightly clichéd metaphor for evil. The classic »Head In The Sky« is a fiery heavy rocker written by Du Cann, and you can feel it clearly under the weight of his punchy, uncompromising guitar riff, backed by furious drum fills and supersonic organ escapades. It’s another turbulent number with plenty of admirable organ and guitar solo flights, as if made to order for French’s rebellious vocal approach.
»The Rock« is a somewhat enigmatic, mid-tempo instrumental with clearly audible brass arrangements, while Du Cann treats himself to a mouthwatering guitar solo amid a constant barrage of choppy riffs. Crane’s fiery organ passages are once again finger-licking good, and Hammond, with his dynamic timing of the drum fills, shows he also had real potential as an occasional jazz drummer. The closing prog and heavy rock hybrid »The Price« is yet another organ-and-piano triumph for Crane, while French, with his heartfelt reading of the occult lyrics, once again sounds like a fierce avenger. It’s all set to a slow rhythm that fits nicely with the dark ambience usually associated with the classic Atomic Rooster legacy.
Some CD reissues also include the aforementioned triumphant hit single »Devil’s Answer« (original version) as a bonus track, which is perhaps even the best-known evergreen in the entire story of the ‘atomic roosters’. Mighty organ and saxophone arrangements blend beautifully with Du Cann’s squinty-eyed vocals and together create a boisterous, party-like mood, so it’s no surprise that listeners at the time rewarded this classic with a high chart placing.
»In Hearing of« is among the best moments in Atomic Rooster’s career, despite yet another shake-up in the sound department that kept them from ever settling on a signature style. That was a good thing in one way, since their fans never knew what they’d be getting with each new album. On the other hand, the progressive rock fanbase started to thin out more and more with the following studio releases. After constant squabbles with Crane over who would lead the band and what their future sound would be, Du Cann packed his bags and went ‘solo’ for several years. Drummer Hammond joined him, and together with bassist John Gustafson (Roxy Music) they formed Daemon and later Hard Stuff. French didn’t last long after the tour either, becoming a member of the American band Cactus. His replacement was the legendary Chris Farlowe (Colosseum), which sent the ‘atomic roosters’ through another sonic change, this time toward soul and funk waters.
Lineup
Vincent Crane – Hammond organ, piano, vocals on “Black Snake”
John Du Cann – guitar
Pete French – vocals
Paul Hammond – drums, percussion
Production
Vincent Crane and Atomic Rooster
Track list
1. Breakthrough
2. Break the Ice
3. Decision/Indecision
4. A Spoonful of Bromide Helps the Pulse Rate Go Down
5. Black Snake
6. Head in the Sky
7. The Rock
8. The Price
