Steppenwolf Album: “Steppenwolf 7”

Due to the possibility that some of the other reviews may have been a bit long-winded, I will state the essential. Along with Blue Cheer, Iron Butterfly, and at times Vanilla Fudge, Steppenwolf was an innovative hard rock group unfortunately not known today. On many songs, the organ, and fuzz create a unique massive sound that was before Zeppelin, and a full two years before Black Sabbath. My fiend of a friend likes calling this release "loud and dumb," but I certainly will not go that far. Although the lyrics would improve for Steppenwolf, this album is one of their best, and is essential for someone interested in the roots of heavy metal. It is a good listen, with none of what I would refer to as "obviously inefficient tracks." Particularly good are the covers - the Muddy Waters standard is one of the heaviest versions of slow blues ever recorded. John Kay's "Desperation" is a strong heavy rhythm and blues styled track. Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher" is also superb, with freaked out guitars, and a fierce vocal from Kay. This album also contains one of the most overplayed, though great songs, "Born to Be Wild." If you are the kind of person that buys albums, as opposed to best of compilations, this is one to get for sure.

How many times did I hear that? This album, along with "Truth" by Jeff Beck and Cream's "Wheels Of Fire" define '68 for me. While I can't crank this up like I used to, it's still a great disc. Plus, of course, it sounds one heck of a lot better through Yamaha, AR, & Grado gear than it did through Magnavox or Sears Silvertone "stereo" in 1968!

This is probably it, with Monster and The Second falling closely behind. Much better than the greatest hits album in my opinion.

I have this CD in my computer desk and I go "high" while I'm working in my engeneering reports. Beside from Born to be wild; Sookie Sookie and Hoochie Coochie Man, I love to listen to the rock piano on Berry Rides Again, the organ on Desperation and mostly The Pusher, wich I think coul be beter for represent the movie... It's funny to see how many artists of the 90's go "drink" (and eat) on musics of the 60's & 70's... JR, from PORTUGAL

This is the "Greatest" Steppenwolf Album. The beginning of a hot legacy of big hits that would go from 1968 through a rather bumpy road to 1974. "Born to Be Wild" is included and was a Monster Hit that is still one of the defining songs of the 60's generation. "The Pusher", the wildly misunderstood, ANTI-DRUG song, that may be a bit hard for your mom or grandmother to listen to, but had a GOOD POINT. Other great songs such as "Sookie Sookie" (still don't understand that one), "A Girl I Knew", "Berry Rides Again" (an ode to Chuck Berry's songs) and "Take What You Need" define the Steppenwolf sound - White Blues. A great album and, like the "Doors" first album, it defines the best of their sound. Also, like "The Doors", it was their first and last album to hold fast to the sound before the blues and hard edge dwindled in their second and succeeding albums. Overall, it's outstanding. Nobody has sounded like this great Steppenwolf before or since - even Steppenwolf.