Shazam - THE MOVE***

Hello Susie/Beautiful Daughter/Cherry Blossom Clinic Revisited/Fields Of People/Don't Make My Baby Blue/The Last Thing On My Mind

Shazam was the follow up album from the Birmingham band The Move led by Roy Wood. Although they were consistently successful in the UK charts at this time, their pop orientated image dented their album sales appeal.

“This album featured plenty of what The Move were best known for, experimental psychedelic pop with bits of prog-rock and classical thrown in. The package was rounded out with healthy doses of psychedelic prog-rock.”

“A schizophrenic album if there ever was one, Shazam mixes weird classical pop and proto metal crunch with almost crooner and lounge pop.”

“There are touches of cabaret, some bits that sound like fellow Brummies Black Sabbath, but the overall impression of Shazam is that ELO started here.”

“The Move suffered from an identity crisis. They couldn't quite decide whether they were a serious rock band, comedy outfit or rock 'n' roll revival act. This held them back from the wider acclaim that they deserved.”

“Cherry Blossom Clinic and Fields Of People are the highlights. It is the crazy epic overly ambitious side of The Move that elevates them above the pack. Their shorter, more conventional psych-pop songs are great, but it's the ones that take risks which make them something special.”

“Such an interesting cross-section of genres and styles, ahead of it's time while still sounding rooted in its place in the past. All of the classical motifs that Roy Wood put in here are worth the effort.”

“Shazam is one of the craziest rock albums you are likely to come across. The music is a bizarre blend of psychedelic-pop, some form of proto-progressive/metal and very tongue-in-cheek lyrics. While it certainly ushered in a heavier sound, it still retained their psychedelic pop roots.”

“Shazam represented a transition of sorts for the band. While it certainly ushered in a heavier sound, it still retained their psychedelic pop roots in songs like Beautiful Daughter and Fields Of People.”