Disco de Status Quo: “Riffs”

'Riffs' was recorded more than 1 year ago and Quo really did not want to come out with another 'Cover' album. Instead, they released 'Heavy Traffic' last year which was really not too bad. But now the record company had the last say and here it is : Cover album number three. In my opinion, 'Riffs' is the best out of the three Quo cover albums (Don't stop' and the horrible 'Famous in the Last Century' are the other two). Still, Quo are miles away from the hard rockin' sound they created in the seventies and early eighties, but since this album was recorded during only 2 weeks, the production is a bit rougher than on their last couple of releases, and that is a good thing. The good about the CD are the more upbeat numbers like 'I fought the Law', 'Don't bring me down' or even 'Born to be Wild'. The bad is, that Rhino (their Bass player) takes over the lead vocals on 'Centerfold' - he just isn't a singer like Alan Lancaster was. Furthermore, Quo cover some of their own songs which sadly shows, how much energy they have lost during the years (compare 'Whatever you want' or 'Junior's Wailing' (now a cover of a cover) to the original versions from the seventies). 'Caroline' sounds just the way they play it in concert these days and 'Down the Dustpipe' got a bit of a face lift, but the original version from the 60's is still quite good. So - why not - buy this album if you already have their back catalogue from 1972 to 1986, otherwise you might want to add these older items to your collection first. The bonus DVD on the limited edition is not too bad either and shows Quo in their former glory.

Let's get one thing straight I detest cover versions, it smacks of desperation & in more often than not a record company cash in. That said the reason I bought Riffs was for the bonus DVD you get with it, so I gave the CD a chance and it's actually alright. Out of the tracks covered Centerfold & Don't Bring Me Down are a bit of a let down, also the reworked versions of Caroline and Whatever You Want don't add anything new. Although for me the high point of the album is the inclusion of the underrated classic Junior's Wailing and a storming version of Pump It Up. With the nine track DVD you get a selection of live and studio performances, which includes a live version of Forty Five Hundred Times voted top Quo song of all time by Classic Rock readers, new classic Solid Gold & a never before broadcast of All Stand Up.

Disc: 2

I love Quo, I really do, a 30 year fan; but this is almost too much to take.

On the heels of one of their best albums in 20 years, "Heavy Traffic", the band releases an extremely pricey album of covers which comes off a few rungs above a high school prom cover band; and I'm serious. There is little if any emotion, passion or feeling present on one single track. This is straight "rote" rock by the numbers. And come on, another cover of "Born To Be Wild"? Ironically, nothing could be further from the truth on this release! There's even four "reworked" covers of their own tunes; each of which pales when compared to Quo's original verions.

The vocals on "Centerfold" are possibly the worst recorded singing on any Status Quo album, ever.

This reeks of either corporate greed or corporate obligation; which really stinks after what I wrote in my review of the "Heavy Traffic" album. It's been rumoured Francis Rossi is just milking the "Quo" reputation for all it's worth ($$$$). I hope it's not true, but there's little evidence to the contrary on this album. A must listen or two for any Quo fan, but I seriously doubt you'll give it any more than that. Look to the zShop for a used one to take a little bit of the monetary sting away. I sure hope there's a few more "Heavy Traffic" or "Blue For You" like albums left in the band, I really do.

I don't mind Quo doing cover versions if it is one song on an album of original material, as they normally do a good job of them. I am not however a fan of albums that are solely covers.

Quo said that they would not do another cover album after the last two and in this case it was the decision of the record company to do this one, not Quo's. I think this shows as I get the impression when listening to it that their heart wasn't really in it. It was recorded in a short space of time which in my opinion is a good thing as it does give it a rough edge which suits Quo's sound more then the highly polished production of recent Quo albums. This rough edge gives the impression that it was recorded back in the 70's when all their material had that bite.

Quo have never let Rhino Edwards take lead vocals in the past and after listening to Centerfold on this album it is easy to see why, I think that Rosie or Parfitt would have made a better job of it.

The thing that lets this album down in my opinion is the choice of songs more then it is a covers album. There are some good tracks such as Born To Be Wild, Pump It Up and All Day And All Of The Night, but there are also some that shouldn't have made the final track listing, such as Don't Bring Me Down (UK release only) and Centerfold, even if Rosie or Parfitt had have taken the lead vocal. Why they decided to include some of their own past hits I don't know, maybe it was their way of sticking two fingers up at the record company. In my opinion these are the best tracks on the album and are recorded more like they would perform them live, like the version of Forty Five Hundred Times on the Rock To You Drop album for example.

The album was originally scheduled to be released Christmas 2002 but it was reported that the record company thought it might damage the sales of Heavy Traffic, as that was selling so well. I can not see this myself as I think most Quo fans who could not afford to buy both albums would have chosen Heavy Traffic over a covers album, therefore I think it was feared more that the high sales of Heavy Traffic would affect the sales of Riffs.

I have not read any press reviews on Riffs but as a Quo fan I fear it will be another dent on their credibility as the other two cover albums where, and hope any review will underline to the reader that it was the record company's choice to do this album, not Quo's.

I bought Riffs mainly for the bonus DVD but also as a Quo fan I have always bought their new album since 1975. I think I will be watching the DVD more then listening to the album. In saying that I would say it is slightly better then the other two cover albums purely because of the rough edge it has got. If you are a Quo fan and you like the tracks on this album then I would recommend it. To quote a line "You pay your money you take your choice."

As a quo fan I would love to give this album 5 stars but as it is another covers album I can only give it 4.