Unicorn - Too Many Crooks (Pause Rewind Play)

 

I'm a little early here as this first Vinyl reissue of Unicorn's third album isn't released until 5 May. However it fits in beautifully with this Pause Rewind Play weekend and the album can be pre-ordered now. I do suspect that it is not going to be around for too long and Think Like A Key certainly deserve applause for their recent efforts.

If Unicorn had come from or harnessed the support of the West Coast Of America, they could have been noted in the same circles as The Eagles. Maybe even if they had relocated to the States as Foghat did? Instead they are more noted for the bands that they supported Live.

Produced and adored by Pink Floyd's David Gilmour who had also produced their previous album, Blue Pine Trees as well as playing pedal steel on it. Very much noted as Country Rock, there was more to the band than that. They came out of the same Pub Rock as Brinsley Schwarz and they were also Folk Rock influenced. 

Any of the band's first three albums are highly recommended, this is probably the best and is the most Pop Rock influenced thus far. The title track is an achingly beautiful Pop song. No Way Out Of Here is a fantastic song with its 10CC like vocal harmonies. Then there is Disco Dancer, which is nowhere near as cheesy as the title suggests, it is nearer to Power Pop than anywhere close to Disco.

Easy is a cracking slice of Soft Rock, more akin to those Folk Rock roots, but also reminiscent of bands like Liverpool Express. Keep On Going also gets more than a little Glam Rock in feel and sound. But it is the Country Rock that shouts loudest. There is no doubt that these boys could play.

The fourth album from 1977, One More Tomorrow was half produced by Gilmour, with the other half being handled by Muff Winwood. There was an attempt to be more commercial, but you sense the band were half hearted and happy doing what they were known for. 

Punk didn't necessarily kill Country Rock, but it did wound the non headline acts. A shame really, because although Country Rock still gets an undeserved reaction as boredom personified. Those that were good at it still sound great and Unicorn were certainly more than good at it/

You can pre-order Too Many Crooks from Think Like A Key here. It is available on both Vinyl and CD.

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