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1974 Albums

Unrest > Henry Cow

Artist: Henry Cow
Label: Red Records (US)
Catalog#: RED 002
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
Lindsay Cooper, previously with the folk band Comus, replaced Geoff Leigh for Henry Cow's second album, Unrest, released in May 1974, again for Virgin Records. The opener, "Bittern Storm Over Ulm," is somehow based on The Yardbirds' "Got to Hurry." Nevermind the how, it is one of the most listenable tracks on the album; "Half Asleep; Half Awake" is introduced by a somber piano, but as it unfolds with the band playing, it reveals a delightfully melodic tune, though one turned sideways once the improvisation begins.

Valentine > Harper, Roy

Artist: Roy Harper
Label: Harvest
Catalog#: SHSP 4027
Format: Vinyl
Country: UK
Released: 1974

War Child > Jethro Tull

Artist: Jethro Tull
Label: Chrysalis
Catalog#: CHR 1067
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
War Child was nearly an orphan. Originally meant as a soundtrack to a film (something about a child's adventures in the afterlife), Ian Anderson's unwillingness to relinquish artistic control killed the project. Jethro Tull recovered, and instead put together a collection of (previously written) songs, giving it the distinction of being their first album since Benefit to avoid an epic construct. The album though is rich in arrangement, with David Palmer's orchestrations playing a central role.

Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends - Ladies And Gentlemen > Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Artist: Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Label: Manticore Records
Catalog#: MC-3-200
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-08

When The Eagle Flies > Traffic

Artist: Traffic
Label: Asylum Records
Catalog#: 7E-1020
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974

White Lady > Badger

Artist: Badger
Label: Epic
Catalog#: EPC 80009
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974

Wolf > Wolf, Darryl Way's

Artist: Darryl Way's Wolf
Label: London Records
Catalog#: XPS 644
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974

Wonderworld > Uriah Heep

Artist: Uriah Heep
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Catalog#: W 2800
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974

You > Gong

Artist: Gong
Label: Virgin Records America, Inc.
Catalog#: VR 13-113
Format: Vinyl
Country: United States
Released: 1974-10
Strawberry Bricks Entry: 
With the opening tracks "Thought for Naught/A P.H.P.'s Advice," Didier Malherbe and Daevid Allen playfully set the stage for the third and final installment of Gong's Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy. For the most part though, Gong forgoes the song format of the previous album and instead rides the long rock-solid grooves of Mike Howlett and Pierre Moerlen's ace rhythm team. That said, it's hardly surprising that You is Gong's strongest release yet. The mantra of "Master Builder" ignites with Steve Hillage's formidable lead guitar.

Zuckerzeit > Cluster

Artist: Cluster
Label: Brain
Catalog#: 1065
Format: LP
Country: Germany
Released: 1974