On their second A&M album, this Scottish group with folk roots continue on their heavy electric course, guided by producer Roger Glover (of Deep Purple fame), who ensures that a hard attack remains at the core of their work. The best originals are "Go Down Fighting," a two-chord Hawkwind-styled rush, "Turn On Your Receiver," a fat crisp rocker, and "Child in the Sun," in which singer Dan McCafferty turns in a passable imitation of Rod Stewart on a nice, harmony-laden ballad. Much as I enjoy the fast numbers, it must be noted that Nazareth are occasionally as monotonous as Status Quo or Uriah Heep, as on "Not Faking It," which is all strut and preen, but with none of the substance of their earlier remarkable heavy-metal C&W "Broken Down Angel."

Original album advertising art. Click image for larger view.

- Greg Shaw, Rolling Stone, 5/9/74.

Bonus Reviews!

Grinding rock from this foursome, including a number of original tunes and some interesting interpretations of other's material. A long, building version of Dylan's "Ballad of Hollis Brown," an interesting cover of Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight" and the band's own "Go Down Fighting" are among the highlights.

- Billboard, 1974.

YOW! Naz may be the biggie to watch from Britain this year with fuzzy guitars aplenty, drums belting out rimshots like machine gun fire, bass buzzing like oversized hornets and lead singer Dan McCafferty splitting the air with half-human howls. Great stuff, by God. On this little gem, the group ravages not only their own songs (and WHAT SONGS!!!) with electric lust, but pulverize Joni Mitchell's "This Flight Tonight" and Dylan's "The Ballad of Hollis Brown," hammering them into their own spectacular sound. A tremendous effort, this recorded display of fireworks should be released by A&M stateside in a few months.

- Ed Naha, Circus, 3/74.

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