Shocking Blue
's second album was partly recorded in New York and continues the band's exploration of
Americana
and
country
music, although its style is firmly rooted in
rock
.
"Alaska Country"
is one of the most obvious references to America, but
"Sally Was a Good Old Girl"
is a cover of an early-'60s
hit by songwriter
Hank Cochran
;
's rendition chugs along in a
groove that reveals the source of its material with a touch of banjo. As always, the focal point is the inimitable voice of
Mariska Veres
, but songwriter/guitarist
Robby VanLeeuwen
shows no sign of a sophomore slump. There isn't an obvious hit single candidate like the previous album's
"Venus,"
but
Scorpio's Dance
makes up for it with solid consistency.
"Daemon Lover"
is moody and mesmerizing, and the title track is a spaghetti western
soundtrack
in search of a film (the cover photo, appropriately enough, was shot in a cactus field).
"I Love Voodoo Music"
is colored with bongos and jungle sound effects, while
"Water Boy"
sees the return of
VanLeeuwen
's sitar. It's a diverse collection of songs that reveals the group's artistic growth but, in America at least, saw no chart action. ~ Greg Adams