Rare Bird – RARE BIRD***

Iceberg/Times/You Went Away/Melanie/Beautiful Scarlet/Sympathy/Nature’s Fruit/Bird On A Wing/God Of War

Self titled debut album from the British progressive group Rare Bird who were more popular abroad than on home territory. Their idealistic single Sympathy received considerable airplay as the decade came to a close. (US:117)

“Though it rocks in parts, the anti-war Sympathy is representative of the album: melodic, occasionally melancholic, pastoral progressive with a pop undertow. Eschewing guitars for a twin keyboard attack.”

“Rare Bird made it into the charts with Sympathy, which is a good one, but not their best song. Their early albums are underrated cornerstones of progressive and acid rock - miles ahead of more successful peers on both sides of Atlantic.”

“An unbelievably great album from the late 60s band Rare Bird, it is positively loaded with great songwriting. Lots of beautiful vocal melodies on this album.”

“One of the most underrated and underappreciated prog/rock bands of all time. The music is great, unbelievable drive combined with beautiful melodies, dominated by the organ and the electric piano (no guitar). And of course there's the singer's smashing voice, one of the best front men who would make all heavy metal 'singers' sound so small.”

“The end of the sixties of the last century was revolutionary time. There was a cardinal shift in the human consciousness so all the arts, literature, cinema and music were lifted on a new high plane. So, even now, much rock music created in that period, stands tall and remains a beacon for modern rock musicians. Rare Bird’s debut belongs among such great albums. The main power of the band lay in their ability to create splendid compositions.”

“Rare Bird's debut is an extremely promising album with some dynamite tracks like Iceberg and God Of War, but it's badly let down by the filler material cooked up in a rush to get the thing finished - particularly on the first side.”

“This is somewhat typical late 60s/early 70s sounding British prog, emphasizing keyboards far more than guitar. I may be their only fan who doesn't care for their hit.”