LP Review: Back to Earth and Midnight Lady
BACK TO EARTH
Released: 1975
LP Charts: #59 pop
I don’t have any complete thoughts on this record because I haven’t heard the full thing. I can say that Back to Earth finally saw the band begin to abandon its successful rough-edged early 70s sound in favor of a more smooth appeal. That made sense since it was now 1975 and not 1971. The change in sound though wasn’t merely from the passage of time.
Lead singer and drummer Peter Hoorelbeke and bassist Michael Urso temporarily left the band. Longtime collaborator Tom Baird was also nowhere to be found. Turns out Hoorelbeke, Urso, and Baird formed a brief supergroup (HUB). Hoorelbeke and Urso would return to Rare Earth in a couple years, but Baird sadly died in a boat accident in 1976.
In the meantime, Rare Earth contracted Jerry LaCroix to fill in on vocals. He’s a good singer with a gruffness to his chops. Reminiscent of whichever Robinson brother is the lead singer of the Black Crowes. In contrast, Hoorelbeke had a wide boom to his vocals.
Okay so enough backstory, I’ve only heard four of the eight songs here.
The brooding “It Makes You Happy (But It Ain't Gonna Last Too Long)” (6/10) has a good lead performance from LaCroix and I always love me a flute, but the backing vocals stink. The instrumental “Walking Schtick” (6/10) is imitation Crusaders. “Keeping Me Out of the Storm” (7/10) is the best track that I’ve heard from the album. I particularly like the rattling guitar riff.
The final song I can opine on is “Delta Melody” (6.5/10). Too soft and polite at times for its own good, but still comes out alright thanks to a flute solo. I’m a sucker for flute.
Granted I’ve only gotten my ear on four songs, but they’re all at least okay to me. Would love to hear the full thing.
ALBUM GRADE: N/A
MIDNIGHT LADY
Released: 1976
LP Charts: n/a
When in doubt, turn to Norman Whitfield. After Back to Earth failed to halt Rare Earth’s commercial decline, Whitfield stepped in to save the day with Midnight Lady. Well, he tried to save the day. It was an unsuccessful rescue attempt. Nothing concerning this album made Billboard’s top 100 in any capacity.
A shame cuz this is the best Rare Earth album outside of the “classic” early 70s period. Probably because this album still had connections to that period. Namely, there are the requisite Motown covers (“He Who Picks A Rose” and “Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone”) and a long 10-minute-plus jam “Wine, Women And Song”.
Most importantly, the album indulges straddling rock and funk while providing some nice grit such as “Finger Lickin' Good”, which employs some joyful harmonica. Although not every funk-rock number works out as well as that song. “It’s A Natural” defies its title and tries too hard to be funky. For the record, “Rose” also tries too hard to be a soul ballad.
On “Do It Right” is where you really hear that Whitfield production. That man loved him rudimentary drum machine and hellscape strings. Ditto on “Midnight Lady”, which substitutes hellish violins for heavenly cellos presenting a delightful mixture of funk, disco, and yacht rock, which of course didn’t exist quite yet. Gotta give it up for the bubbly bass too.
Rightfully released as a single, “Midnight Lady” wrongfully bombed.
The final track is the lengthy, aforementioned “Wine, Women and Song”. In its 11-minute hands holds the balance of whether this album is merely okay or dares to step into the realm of good. Tellingly, it at times grabs your attention while at others lets your mind wander.
Sums up Midnight Lady. At times interesting, but can also lose its focus.
ALBUM GRADE: C+
Song Scores
It’s A Natural: 6/10
Finger Lickin' Good: 7/10
He Who Picks A Rose: 5/10
Do It Right: 7/10
Ain't No Sun Since You've Been Gone: 6/10
Midnight Lady: 7.5/10
Wine, Women and Song: 6.5/10