STEAMHAMMER's second release "Mountains" is just plain and simply one of those "full bodied brews" that the commercials always promised. This was STEAMHAMMER's strongest album (although the debut album is also quite amazing) and represents a great journey into a rather interesting world where progressive, blues and psychedelic genres meet. This five piece band play somewhere in the CREAM, GOLDEN EARRING, Peter Green school of music. One of the interesting aspects of this album is that fact that basically half the album was recorded live yet sounds dynamically like the studio album and goes on almost undetected. Perhaps though the aspect I appreciate the most in this recording is the standout instrument interplay with some fantastic guitar solos (aka SANTANA) and bass guitar that just wont stop.Review by loserboy
I've always had a soft spot for Steamhammer. There's something inexplicably nice about their music. Their albums MK II, Mountains and Speech are all very, very enjoyable indeed, though I personally prefer Mountains above them all. I guess that's because it was the first album I bought of Steamhammer's. I wouldn't say it's prog but I would not say it's not either. I guess a fair judgement would be progressive blues-rock and that isn't bad, I'll tell you. At times I get the feeling of Jethro Tull bar the flute. The music on Mountains is folky, bluesy, progressive and quite brilliant. The musicianship is excellent and really, the album leaves little to miss. I heard or read somewhere that Steamhammer set out making the best album EVER with Mountains. Now, I can't say it's the best albums ever made but it's really worth the effort, money and time if you like proto-prog (which isn't too far off the mark, when I think about it) with rough edges and both feet stuck in bluesy hard rock. Good'un!Review by GruvanDahlman
Tracks:
01. I Wouldn’t Have Thought (Gophers Song) — 0:00
02. Levinia — 5:41
03. Henry Lane — 9:06
04. Walking Down The Road — 13:02
05. Mountains — 16:49
06. Leader Of The Ring — 22:30
07. Riding On The L & N (Live) — 25:25
08. Hold That Train (Live) — 35:40
Personnel:
Kieran White — lead vocals, 2nd acoustic guitar, 2nd electric guitar, harmonica Martin Pugh — lead acoustic guitar, lead electric guitar, bottleneck guitar Steve Davy — bass, organ, vocals Mick Bradley — drums, percussion + Keith Nelson — banjo (03) Martin Birch — engineer Fritz Fryer — producer
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