Earthquake - Earthquake & Why Don't You Try Me (1971-1972 west coast acid rock - 2003 Acadia edition - Wave)

Earth Quake was born out of the fertile Berkeley high school music scene (as were another of the band's eventual Beserkley labelmates, The Rubinoos). The band's lineup, as heard on both of these albums was John Doukas, Robbie Dunbar (older brother of the Rubinoos' Tommy Dunbar), Stan Miller and Steve Nelson. They honed their late '60s/early '70s rock at countless frat parties and free concerts in Provo Park (the latter being a pivotal venue that hosted numerous free Sunday shows), bridging the divide between late '60s jams, soul/R&B and tighter radio pop. They were equally adept at kicking out 9-minute guitar rockers as they were at catchy 3-minute pop and rock.

Hooking up with Matthew "King" Kaufman as their manager, they landed a deal with A&M and recorded a debut that had been practiced hundreds of times in endless gigs. The result is incredibly tight, both in the playing and singing, but with the sort of casualness born of familiarity. The album's nine tracks, all reproduced faithfully on this CD, show off both the band's chops, and the high quality of A&M's production team. The followup LP expanded slightly on the band's sound, with guests providing keyboards and horns that add a soulful edge (ala The Rascals) to a few cuts, but guitar-rock remained at the core.

The band's later albums on Beserkley are probably better known to most fans, but these two early issues are a great look at the band's original late '60s essence and the turn from the more elastic rock on the San Francisco scene into more concise forms. (By hyperbolium - Earth, USA)

Tracklist

01. Tumbleweed

02. Distance Between

03. Summer Song

04. Things

05. Guarding You

06. Wind Keeps Blowing

07. Look Out Your Window

08. Blurry Eyes

09. Tickler

10. Bright Lights

11. Light Befre The Blindmans Eyes