Title:  Home
Company: A&M
Catalog: SP-4261
Year: 1970
Country/State: UK
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: gatefold sleeve

Grading comments: gatefold sleeve

While instantly recognizable as a Procol Harum project, anyone expecting to hear another set of pseudo-progressive, or classicallly-tinged moves was in for a major surprise with the release of 1970's "Home". Produced by Chris Thomas, this probably stands as my favorite Procol Harum release, if only because it was the most rock-oriented. That was due in large measure to guitarist Robin Trower's new found activism - he contributed two of the standout performances ('Whiskey Train' and 'About To Die') and was featured on several other tracks. Interesting; though it marked the band's first post-Matthew Fisher release, Fisher's keyboard flourishes were barely missed with newcomer Chris Copping ably picking up the slack on organ and bass (where he also served to replace David Knights). While you couldn't label this a concept piece, the nine tracks seemed to share a common theme built around the concept of death ... just check out some of the song titles ... Off course it could be that I've simply read to much into it. Beats me, but I'm sure some Procol scholar can clue me in on it the album's true meaning.

- One of two Trower compositions (as always Keith Reid provided lyrics to all nine songs), 'Whiskey Train' was a full tilt blues-rocker powered by Trower's fat, fuzz drenched and instantly recognizable lead guitar. Elsewhere Gary Brooker's always ragged voice proved surprisingly adept at hard rock. Great track and made you wish the band did more in the hard rock vein. rating: **** stars
- Penned by Brooker and Reid, the dark ballad 'The Dead Man's Dream' was a much more typical Procol number - Brooker's spoken word rant about a cemetary and corpses full of maggots was certainly depressing, but was so over the top as to be a hoot. Coming after the opening rocker it didn't do a great deal for my ears, but longtime fans probably had a different opinion. rating: ** stars
- Brooker's never been know for his rockers, but 'Still There'll Be More' aptly demonstrated he could write an out-and-out rocker and deliver a searing vocal to go with it. Kicked along by a great lyric focusing on the concept of revenge, the song also boasted the album's most commercial melody (though lyrics like 'piss on your door' probably limited airplay possibilities), and another blazing Trower solo, this was one of the album highlights. rating: **** stars
- 'Nothing That I Didn't Know' melded another pretty melody and one of Brooker's most polished vocals with one of Reid's most heartbreaking lyrics - to my ears the song seemed to describe the premature death of a young woman and her friends inability to stave of fate. A personal favorite ... rating: **** stars
- The thick, sustained opening guitar chords told you 'About To Die' was the second Trower contribution and while it didn't rock as hard as 'Whiskey Train', it was still worth hearing. Drummer B.J. Wilson proved the band's secret weapon on this one, turning in a performance that was simultaneously in-your face powerful, but also served to support the song's nifty melody. rating: **** stars
- With the spotlight firmly on Brooker and his piano, side two's plodding ballad ''Barnyard Story' just never kicked into gear and stood as the set's first disappointment. rating: ** stars
- The cryptic 'Piggy Pig Pig' was another track that took awhile to get rolling, but the combination of Brooker's pounding barrelhouse piano, Copping's stabbing Hammond B3, and Trower's power chords turned it into another personal favorite. Not sure what the pig sounds were about.
- The epic 'Whaling Stories' found Brooker and company falling back on known tricks of the trade, including one of Reid's most bombastic lyrics, a melody that kept on building to climax after climax (possible given the song stretched over seven minutes), and another great performance from Trower. Anyone looking for classic Procol needed look no farther than this one. rating: **** stars
- Packaged in the album's bounciest melody, for anyone who doubted these guys had a sense of humor, 'Your Own Choice' was great evidence to the contrary. Yeah, Reid's dark side was clearly on display, but you still had to smile at a lyric like 'There's too many women and not enough wine ...' Shame this one didn't get tapped a single. rating: ***** stars

Ignore the butt ugly cover and buy a copy of this one since you can still find it on the cheap.

"Home" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Whiskey Train (Keith Reid - Robin Trower) - 4:28
2.) The Dead Man's Dream (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 4:48
3.) Still There'll Be More (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 4:50
4.) Nothing That I Didn't Know (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 3:34
5.) About To Die (Keith Reid - Robin Trower) - 3:37

(side 2)
1.) Barnyard Story (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) -5:45
2.) Piggy Pig Pig (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 4:49
3.) Whaling Stories (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 7:05
4.) Your Own Choice (Keith Reid - Gary Brooker) - 3:09