Label: Air Mail Archive (Japan), AIRAC-1205
Style: Hard Rock
Country: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Time: 63:27
Format: Flac Tracks 16/44,1 kHz
Size: 428 Mb
Charts: US #17, CAN #20, AUT #7, GER #27, NOR #5. CAN: Gold; US: Platinum.
01. Hair Of The Dog
will immediately grab your attention with its memorable riff and
swaggering attitude. Dan McCafferty's raspy vocal perfectly complements
the heavy, bluesy instrumentation, that sets the tone for the rest of
the album. Plus, who doesn’t love their famous refrain "Now you're
messin' with a son of a bitch,” for it’s a masterstroke of lyricism and
ensures Hair Of The Dog is a quintessential hard rock anthem.
Guns N’
Roses would cover Hair Of The Dog on their 1993 covers album, The
Spaghetti Incident? and as much as I love the original, I’ve got to say
that I prefer the slightly more rhythmic presentation that Guns N’ Roses
were able to bring to the tune as it further emphasises the undertone
of aggression that is present within the song.
02. Miss Misery
launches with a killer riff before McCafferty’s soaring vocal enters
the mix with the rest of the band launching into an incredibly rhythmic
thunderous performance. Filled with passion and intensity, that is
highly addictive, Miss Misery is a monster of a song that will have you
coming back for more as it’s a flawless hard rock tune.
03. Guilty
slows down the pace with its bluesy groove and soulful vocals.
Featuring a memorable guitar riff and a laid-back vibe, Guilty will
appeal to those of us who appreciate a diverse styling throughout our
hard rock albums. Some may dislike it because it is considerably
different to the songs that have come before it, but McCafferty's raw
and emotive vocal delivery is simply magnificent and the sign of an
exceptional hard rock vocalist is often found in slower-styled ballad
recordings such as Guilty.
04. Changin' Times sets the pace
back to that of a driving rhythm featuring a catchy melody and
infectious rhythm. As solid as Changin' Times is, the most notable
aspect is McCafferty’s vocal prowess as the man could certainly belt out
a tune, with clarity and finesse, like few others within the hard rock
and metal genres can.
05-06. Beggars Day/Rose In The Heather
is a hard-hitting rocker with a driving rhythm and infectious energy.
McCafferty's vocals are, as is the case throughout the entire album,
full of attitude and swagger, while the band's tight musicianship keeps
the song charging forward with unstoppable momentum.
07. Whiskey Drinkin' Woman
is a blues-infused track featuring a gritty vibe. The song's laid-back
groove and soulful instrumentation make it a standout on the album, but
as you listen to the song you’ll soon come to realise that it would be
perfectly played in any drinking establishment, anywhere in the world.
08. Please Don't Judas Me
features a stripped-down haunting atmospheric presentation that blends
some incredible musicality with McCafferty's emotive vocal presentation.
As McCafferty pleads, "Please Don't Judas Me," the song builds to a
powerful climax, leaving a lasting impression long after the music fades
away. Masterpiece, while often overused, is the only way to describe
this sensational song.
09. Love Hurts (Single Edit) is one of
my all-time favourite Nazareth tunes and while there will be some that
dislike ballads, I love them. This one, in particular, showcases
McCafferty's vocal prowess with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody
that will strike a chord with music lovers and is a core reason why this
version has become a timeless classic.
It is, however, a cover
that first appeared on the Everly Brothers’ 1960 release, A Date With
The Everly Brothers. Their original is lovely but as with other
renditions, I feel that Nazareth took the song, added their unique
styling to it, and made it their own. Granted, there isn’t a bad
interpretation to be heard, but Love Hurts is an ideal closing tune for
the album; even if it wasn’t the closer for the record in all regions.
Hair
Of The Dog, subsequently, is a must-have for any hard rock music fan.
Its combination of hard-hitting rockers and heartfelt ballads makes it a
timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences decades
after its release and Nazareth's signature sound and powerful
performances ensure that this album remains a standout in their
discography and a cornerstone of 1970s rock music.
(subjectivesounds.com/musicblog/nazareth-hair-of-the-dog-album-review)
01. Hair Of The Dog (04:09)
02. Miss Misery (04:42)
03. Guilty (03:38)
04. Changin' Times (05:59)
05. Beggars Day (03:45)
06. Rose In The Heather (02:44)
07. Whiskey Drinkin' Woman (05:29)
08. Please Don't Judas Me (09:51)
09. Love Hurts (03:53)
10. Down (B-side to 'Love Hurts' single) (03:55)
11. Holy Roller (single A-side) (03:25)
12. Railroad Boy (B-side to 'Holy Roller' single) (04:08)
13. Hair Of The Dog (single edit) (03:22)
14. Holy Roller (extended alternate mix) (04:20)
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