Steppenwolf entirely recorded 7 discs for Dunhill Records inward the curt bridge betwixt 1968 too 1971, half dozen of them studio albums, too i allegedly "live" -- though in that place was early on Sparrow cloth recorded inward May of 1967 non released past times the label until 1972. Throw inward a greatest-hits bundle along alongside Columbia's reissue of yet to a greater extent than Sparrow recordings, too how they came upward alongside Steppenwolf 7 for the championship of this, their 5th studio recording for Dunhill, is a query for hardcore fans of the band to ground (don't fifty-fifty pick out the motion painting soundtracks into this equation). Richard Podolor has taken the production reins from Gabriel Mekler, equally he did alongside Three Dog Night, but where the producer was able to conduct hold Hoyt Axton's "Joy to the World" to number i inward a notable half dozen weeks inward 1971 alongside the vocal trio too labelmates of this group, the writer of "The Pusher," Axton, is represented hither past times his "Snowblind Friend," a theme non probable to larn Steppenwolf nautical chart action. And that's the dilemma alongside Steppenwolf 7. This is a real worthwhile Steppenwolf recording, chock-full of their trademark sound, but nix that was going to penetrate the Top 40. John Kay too guitarist Larry Byron (listed on the vocal credits equally Larry Byrom too on the endure album equally Byron -- conduct hold your pick, he's a notable session player) co-write 5 of these nine tunes, "Ball Crusher" beingness what you lot expect, equally is "Fat Jack," Byrom's entirely co-write hither alongside novel bassist George Biondo (and perchance i of them on the vocals, equally it sure isn't John Kay). H5N1 nice, thick Goldy McJohn keyboard too company beat out nevertheless don't give this tune plenty of an identity to endure considered hitting material. Kay too Byrom attain a amend project of heading inward that administration alongside their "Foggy Mental Breakdown" too "Hippo Stomp," patch Byrom's instrumental, "Earschplittenloudenboomer," had the mental attitude to endure the side past times side "Born to Be Wild," but non plenty of the magic -- non explosive plenty too no sneering Kay vocal to pick out it home. What is happening hither is that John Kay is heading inward the administration of his 1972 solo disc, Forgotten Songs & Unsung Heroes, especially on the encompass of Roth's "Forty Days too Forty Nights" too the country-ish "Snowblind Friend," which is the other side of Hoyt Axton's "The Pusher," the lawsuit of cocaine on the victim/user. Kay too Byrom come upward dorsum alongside to a greater extent than driving stone inward "Who Needs Ya?," played good too listenable, but but missing the border that gave "Rock Me" too "Magic Carpet Ride" their specialness. The blueish images of the bandmembers inward a desolate surface area alongside 2 skulls higher upward them on the album encompass brand an interesting statement. Steppenwolf 7 is an intriguing collection of album tracks showing the 2 sides of John Kay -- the difficult stone vocalizer too the creative soul setting his sights on interpreting other musical styles. It came at a instant when the band needed to redefine itself on the AM band, but opted instead to but position out a decent production too conduct hold few risks. - "All Music"
I'm e'er puzzled alongside some of Allmusic's reviews. Although this is non the best Steppenwolf album, it contains some bang-up songs. I was especially disappointed because you lot didn't fifty-fifty spare "Renegade", this stunning autobiographical anthem (listen to the wonderful lyrics, but also the music is majestic). Allmusic does non fifty-fifty propose this equally an album highlight... "THEO KONTI"
This is i of the greatest stone records ever recorded. Nothing sounds dated on it -- no gimmickry to necktie it to the past. Just build clean blues stone alongside John Kay too Co.'s amazing vision. Where did they larn this stuff?? I would endure difficult pressed to alternative favorites, but Renegade too Hippo Stomp are definitely correct upward there. Buy this record.
Forget the hits, forget the biker image, forget everything you lot think you lot know nearly this band. If you lot don't conduct hold this album, you lot are missing i of THE classic albums of the early on 70's. Along alongside the perfection of their previous "Monster" album, 7 showed everyone but what a bang-up band Steppenwolf were. I'm talking the concept of a BAND, non John Kay too whoever. The magic captured hither is entirely possible because it features the perfect, strongest too in all probability best Steppenwolf line-up. From start to finish, this album is wall to wall mental attitude too conviction. They perform every vocal similar their lives depended on it. I'm a fiddling biased, since I've owned this on album, 8-track, cassette too CD. Graced past times i of my favorite album covers of all time, the entire bundle spins an aura of darkness that has stood the exam of time. It captures that instant inward fourth dimension when it was apparent that the dreams too hopes of the 60's had been shattered past times the shadows of state of war too an increasingly turbulent America.
Steppenwolf had a pretty expert successful career inward the belatedly 60's too early on 70's. Unfortunately, other stone bands came along such equally Blue Oyster Cult, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple too Humble Pie too sort of knocked Steppenwolf away from the spotlight. However, that's what us reviewers are for. We're hither to facial expression dorsum too admire the bang-up artists that are becoming dangerously unopen to extinction.
This is i stone band that is absolutely phenomenal too I volition attain everything inward my ability to hold their retentiveness alive, fifty-fifty 50 years from straight off if I conduct hold to. There's something extremely appealing nearly the agency these guys were able to blend meaningful lyrics, emotional vocals, too fabulous musical ideas too conduct hold album afterwards album of highly listenable material. H5N1 band that deserves to endure defended too remembered. I don't wanna come upward across similar some overblown crazy fanboy, but I actually desire the music of Steppenwolf to remain endure forever.
You know, someone i time told me Steppenwolf was the ultimate motorbike band until Blue Oyster Cult came along. I don't know how much truth in that place is to that, but the 2 artists are completely different. Steppenwolf was nearly meaningful Vietnam state of war lyrics too emotional too pretty melodies, whereas Blue Oyster Cult liked to dip into the psychedelic, gloom too doom mode of difficult rock. I'm a fan of both styles, but let's non compare the 2 bands when plainly they're completely different.
Anyway, Steppenwolf 7 is in all probability their best album. H5N1 roller-coaster ride of excitement, emotions, powerful lyrics, too beautiful arrangements. This is clearly NOT your typical difficult stone band. "Ball Crusher" is a funky opener that should conduct hold piece of job a classic past times straight off but I estimate those who play "Born to endure Wild" until our heads spin won't handgrip alongside me. "Forty Days too Forty Nights" is some other highlight because of the demanding beat too drumming of the vocal melody. It's amazing, no doubt.
"Renegade" is where the pretty too fragile side of the band comes in, alongside a impact of powerful lyrics coming along to actually give you lot an incredible journey. I don't EVER forget songs similar this one. They tell a floor of a grim too unforgettable belatedly 60's state of war scene, too the atmosphere volition never larn out my mind, ever. You don't conduct hold to conduct hold been to a greater extent than or less dorsum inward the belatedly 60's to larn into it, that's for sure. "Foggy Mental Breakdown" has vivid vocals too a SUPER AWESOME harmonica solo inward the middle. It's harmonica played inward a deplorable way. I honey it. "Snowblind Friend" continues the incredible emotions too atmosphere, too "Hippo Stomp" is a sort of funny popular vocal alongside a bang-up chorus too poetry melody. I honey it. H5N1 classic difficult stone album, no thing what anyone mightiness say otherwise.
Track listing
"Ball Crusher" – 4:52
"Forty Days too Forty Nights" – 3:03
"Fat Jack" – 4:52
"Renegade" – 6:08
"Foggy Mental Breakdown" – 3:54
"Snowblind Friend" – 3:54
"Who Needs Ya'" – 3:00
"Earschplittenloudenboomer" – 5:00
"Hippo Stomp" – 5:39
Personnel
John Kay - Lead vocals, beat guitar, harmonica
Larry Byrom - Lead guitar, backing vocals
Goldy McJohn - Keyboards
George Biondo - Bass, backing vocals
Jerry Edmonton - Drums
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