Back to the topIf I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules (Bonus Tracks)
Review by Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Released:
1976
Label:
Noteworthy
Rating:
Styles:
Hard Rock
Prog-Rock
Heavy Metal
British Metal
Looking for a fresh start, Budgie signed with A&M Records in 1976 and released the strangely titled If I Were Brittania, I'd Waive the Rules. The band continued to incorporate new elements into their sound here, showing a special interest in funk on such tracks as "Anne Neggen" and "Sky High Percentage." The stark "Black Velvet Stallion" shows an interesting use of space, but descends into boredom long before its eight minutes are up. Ironically, Budgie still sounds most at home when injecting an adventurous progressive rock flavor into songs like "Heaven Knows Your Name" and "You're Opening Doors," both of which also benefit from Tony Bourge's classy guitar harmonies. [The 2006 edition includes bonus tracks.]
Digitally remastered reissue of this 1976 album by this beloved British Heavy Metal outfit featuring two bonus tracks. Nine tracks total. Noteworthy. 2006.
After four albums, Budgie had achieved moderate success in the U.K. with their unique combination of Black Sabbath heaviness, progressive rock flashes, and bizarre sense of humor. But 1975's Bandolier found the band pursuing a more conventional rock sound with a noticeable funk influence. This is most apparent on the guitar-scratching "I Can't See My Feelings" and the finger-snapping "Who Do You Want for Your Love?," featuring a slow groove topped with vocalist Burke Shelley's soulful wailing. While the riff-heavy "Breaking All the House Rules" and the amusing "Napoleon Bona Part 1 & 2" hark back to the band's early days, change was on the horizon. Budgie's creative spark was remarkably absent from subsequent releases for new label A&M, marking Bandolier as the last album of the band's golden age. [The 2005 reissue includes bonus tracks.]
Budgie's fourth release, In for the Kill! (originally on MCA), confirmed their consistent metal songwriting. Like past releases, the album features huge metal riffs courtesy of guitarist Tony Bourge and wailing vocals from bassist Burke Shelley. "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" (their second song to be covered by Metallica) contains a repetitive and continuous riff, while "Zoom Club" stresses the importance of the almighty power chord. The title track (rumored to have been covered by Van Halen back in their club days) is metal at its most vibrant, while the group balances the album by including a folk number with Beatles-like vocal harmonies ("Wondering What Everyone Knows"). "Living on Your Own" continues the band's tradition of lengthy closing numbers, ending another sadly overlooked album from this British band. Along with their first three albums (Budgie, Squawk, and Never Turn Your Back on a Friend), In for the Kill! is a robust collection of important (and, for its time, trailblazing) heavy metal. [The 2006 reissue includes bonus tracks.]
Track #
Track
Time
Composer
1
In for the Kill
6:27
Bourge, Shelley
2
Crash Course in Brain Surgery
2:39
Bourge, Phillips, Shelley
3
Wondering What Everyone Knows
2:55
Shelley, Bourge
4
Zoom Club
9:57
Bourge, Shelley
5
Hammer and Tongs
6:57
Shelley, Bourge
6
Running from My Soul
3:39
Bourge, Shelley
7
Living on Your Own
9:01
Shelley, Bourge
8
Zoom Club (Single Edit)(*)
3:26
Bourge, Shelley
9
In for Kill (2003 Version)(*)
3:34
Bourge, Shelley
10
Crash Course in Brain (2003 Version)(*)
2:43
Bourge, Shelley, Phillips
11
Zoom Club (2003 Version)(*)
6:04
Shelley, Bourge
Back to the topNever Turn Your Back on a Friend (UK Bonus Tracks)
Review by Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Released:
1973
Label:
Noteworthy
Rating:
Styles:
Hard Rock
Prog-Rock
Heavy Metal
British Metal
Originally released in 1973 on MCA, Budgie's third record, Never Turn Your Back on a Friend, was another slab of the band's signature plodding metal sound. Although they were never more than a cult band in the U.S., Budgie's popularity flourished in their native England, yet their influence was eventually felt by many notable American bands (Metallica, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains, etc.). The mammoth riffs created by guitarist Tony Bourge are definitely on par with Black Sabbath riff master Tony Iommi, while vocalist/bassist Burke Shelley's voice is a cross between Robert Plant and early Geddy Lee. Drummers came and went (this would be original member Ray Phillips' last recording), but you'd never guess there would be a defection soon, judging from the tightness and interplay displayed on this album. One of their best-known tracks, "Breadfan" (later covered by Metallica), kicks off the album with rapid, almost speed metal, while the epic "Parents" closes the album sans the heavy metal thunder (the band chooses a more mid-paced and acoustic sound). The group also became notorious for coming up with profound (yet lighthearted) song titles, such as "In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand" and "You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk." Recommended to anyone who finds solace in the metal forefathers (Sabbath, Zep, Hendrix, etc.). [Noteworthy's 2006 U.K. reissue included bonus tracks.]
Having acquired a small cult following with its first album, Budgie offered a second dose of abrasive, forceful heavy metal that, like its predecessor, drew on influences ranging from Cream to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. Budgie was a band that loved contrasts -- the folk-ish qualities of "Make Me Happy" and the Beatlesque "Rolling Home Again" make hard-driving classics like "Hot as a Docker's Armpit," "Drugstore Woman," and "Rocking Man" seem all the more intense. For all its strengths, Squawk didn't turn Budgie into the well-known outfit it should have been. Budgie's followers were a devoted bunch, but unfortunately, there weren't nearly enough of them. [The 2006 Noteworthy edition includes bonus tracks.]
Though not nearly as celebrated as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, or Deep Purple, Budgie was one of the finest heavy metal bands of the early to mid-'70s. The British power trio, formed in 1968, was influenced by Cream in the beginning, but by the time this self-titled debut album was released in 1971, Budgie was obviously paying close attention to Sabbath and Zep. In fact, it's hard to miss the impact that Robert Plant had on Budgie lead singer/bassist Burke Shelley. For those seriously interested in metal's development, bombastic treasures like "Homicidal Suicidal," "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" (covered by Metallica in 1987), "Guts," and "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" are essential listening. [The 2005 reissue includes bonus tracks.]
2004 remastered reissue of 1971 album includes four bonus tracks, 'Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman', 'Guts', 'Rape Of The Locks', & 'Crash Course In Brain Surgery'. Noteworth...
Though not nearly as celebrated as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, or Deep Purple, Budgie was one of the finest heavy metal bands of the early to mid-'70s. The British power trio, formed in 1968, was influenced by Cream in the beginning, but by the time this self-titled debut album was released in 1971, Budgie was obviously paying close attention to Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. In fact, it's hard to miss the impact that Robert Plant had on Budgie lead singer/bassist Burke Shelley. For those seriously interested in metal's development, bombastic treasures like "Homicidal Suicidal," "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" (covered by Metallica in 1987), "Guts," and "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" are essential listening.
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