Review
by Thom Jurek
Whereas
Brian Auger had taken the lion's share of composing responsibility on
the deft, labyrinthine, jazz-rock debut album by the Oblivion Express,
guitarist Jim Mullen steps up to the plate in a big way here, writing or
co-writing seven of A Better Land's nine tracks, and arranging "Marai's
Wedding," a traditional tune. Auger wrote just one, "Tomorrow City,"
and co-wrote two with Mullen. The feel and vibe of the record is almost a
mirror image of its predecessor from earlier in 1971. Mullen composed
on the guitar, therefore, the languid, sparer approach to harmony is
everywhere apparent. But it's the songs themselves, with their lush use
of acoustic guitars, country music melodies, and early rock tropes, such
as on "Dawn of Another Day," the Band-inspired "Trouble," and the
ethereal melody of "Women of the Seasons." There is also a pair of
tracks here written with future AWB boss Alan Gorrie. The lilting jazz
in the lead is countered with infectious pop hooks. On the Auger tunes,
"Fill Your Head With Laughter," and "Tomorrow City," R&B is at their
hearts. A Better Land is one of the more enduring pop records from the
era, with its ultra-sophisticated compositioning and arrangement skills.
It's as if the Oblivion Express wanted to reveal themselves as capable
of anything, which, of course, they were. This is a fantastic place to
start any Brian Auger collection.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-better-land-mw0000178896
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Reseña
por Thom Jurek
Mientras
que Brian Auger había asumido la mayor parte de la responsabilidad
compositiva en el hábil y laberíntico álbum de debut de jazz-rock de
Oblivion Express, el guitarrista Jim Mullen da un paso adelante a lo
grande aquí, escribiendo o co-escribiendo siete de los nueve temas de A
Better Land, y arreglando "Marai's Wedding", una melodía tradicional.
Auger sólo escribió una, "Tomorrow City", y coescribió dos con Mullen.
La sensación y el ambiente del disco es casi un reflejo de su predecesor
de 1971. Mullen compuso a la guitarra, por lo que el enfoque lánguido y
más parco de la armonía es evidente en todas partes. Pero son las
propias canciones, con su exuberante uso de las guitarras acústicas, las
melodías de la música country y los primeros tropos del rock, como en
"Dawn of Another Day", la inspirada por la banda "Trouble" y la etérea
melodía de "Women of the Seasons". También hay un par de temas escritos
con el futuro jefe de AWB, Alan Gorrie. El jazz cadencioso de los temas
principales se contrarresta con ganchos pop contagiosos. En los temas de
Auger, "Fill Your Head With Laughter" y "Tomorrow City", el R&B
está en su corazón. A Better Land es uno de los discos de pop más
duraderos de la época, con su composición y sus arreglos
ultrasofisticados. Es como si los Oblivion Express quisieran revelarse
como capaces de cualquier cosa, lo que, por supuesto, hicieron. Este es
un lugar fantástico para empezar cualquier colección de Brian Auger.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/a-better-land-mw0000178896
brianauger.com ...
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