Late Again/Stuck In The Middle With You/Another Meaning/I Get By/Outside Looking In/Johnny's Song/Next To Me/Jose/Get's So Lonely/You Put Something Better Inside Me
Self titled debut album from the Scottish folk-rock group Stealers Wheel. Includes the UK top 10 hit Stuck In The Middle With You. As a group they would hardly trouble the charts again, but front man Gerry Rafferty would enjoy some commercial success towards the end of the decade. (US:50)
“Stealers Wheel is a very pleasant and romantic album and all the melodies boast quite a lyrical sound. But I think that at the time it was released such kind of music already belonged to the past, though it sounds so sweet now.”
“Stealers Wheel offered up a nice introduction to the band's mix of English folk-rock, commercial pop, and harder-rock moves. Blessed with two strong writers this collection had more than its share of highlights. Of course Stuck In The Middle With You was the tune that made them international stars. A well deserved hit, it wasn't the only standout performance. Lots of people enjoy their more folk-oriented repertoire, but personally I love their rock numbers.”
“Stealers Wheel is a slightly under par folk-rock album, greatly improved by its one hit song. It starts off with some pretty standard acoustic folk-rock, but then slides through a few other musical styles including hard-rock and bluesy southern rock. Despite this genre jumping, the album still morphs into an altogether predictable set of songs. The music is good, but nothing is memorable instrumentally. Similarly, the vocals and harmonies are pleasant, but don’t amount to much in the end.”
“Stuck In The Middle With You is one of those classic pop songs that just seems too good to be true. But, to some surprise, I immediately took to the opener Late Again, the vocal melody being excellent. However, as the album played on, I found some songs to be a little more trying, like Another Meaning and the barely tolerable, I Get By. After that, by the end, it proved to be a one trick pony.”
“With this debut Stealers Wheel certainly managed to please everyone because one can hear pop, ballads, country, folk, hard-rock, even some hints of progressive rock. A thick sound and relaxed easy going atmosphere makes all the songs attractive enough to listen to, but expect no exceptionally strong songs, as the album enters the ear as fast it has left it.”
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