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Procol Harum Album: “Exotic Birds and Fruit”
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Exotic Birds and Fruit |
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Release Date:1974-01-01
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Type:Unknown
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Genre:Classic Rock, Oldies, 1960s Rock
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Label:
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Explicit Lyrics:Yes
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UPC:766489274720
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Review - :
After two albums that combined {\progressive rock} with {\orchestral} grandeur, {$Procol Harum} returned to the basics on this 1974 outing. This time, the accent was returned to the thick electric guitar and swirling guitar on a batch of lushly textured but driving songs that covered everything from {\hard rock} to moody {\prog} and even a bit of {\music hall} {\comedy}. In the {\rock} category, the most memorable numbers are the opener, {&"Nothing but the Truth,"} a punchy tune that displays the group's thorough grasp of {\rock} dynamics as it veers between metallic riffing and rollicking keyboard flourishes over a stomping beat, and {&"Monsieur R. Monde,"} a bracing mid-tempo track that punctuates its guitar-heavy attack with some infectious cowbell accents from drummer {$B.J. Wilson}. In the {\progressive} arena, the most interesting tunes are {&"The Idol,"} a sumptuous epic that adds layer after layer of keyboard and guitar as it tells the story of a hero's fall from grace, and {&"The Thin End of the Wedge,"} an {\avant-garde} tune that highlights {$Mick Grabham}'s guitar work as it creates a surreal, {\gothic} atmosphere. Other memorable tunes include {&"Beyond the Pale,"} a tune about the search for the Holy Grail that mixes {\pop} hooks with a Germanic {\folk} song feel, and {&"Exotic Fruit,"} an amusing song that extols the virtues of its titular subject over a bouncy English {\music hall} melody. It's a diverse group of songs and styles, but the group delivers them with aplomb and energy, and the album is further bolstered by a sumptuous, consistent {$Chris Thomas} production that makes sure everything blends together smoothly. As a result, {^Exotic Birds and Fruit} is one of {$Procol Harum}'s finest efforts of the '70s. [Trivia note: The 2000 reissue of this album on {@Repertoire Records} added a single version of {&"As Strong as Samson"} and {&"Drunk Again,"} a non-album B-side that was one of {$Procol Harum}'s finest and heaviest rockers.] ~ Donald A. Guarisco, All Music Guide
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