Incredibly,
Unicorn
were on the road with
Hawkwind
when their third album hit the streets -- incredibly, because it is difficult to think of two bands that existed at more extreme ends of the period rock spectrum. But the blending worked, as
's subtly countrified, folky-edged mantras fed the heads of the
faithful with many of the same acoustic energies that fired the headliner's most evocative dreams. And, besides, who wouldn't admire a band like
, a quintessentially English folk-rock act that just happened to have collided with a love for American country rock, and wound up creating a hybrid that still sounds remarkable today? Widely regarded as
's finest album (a horrible disservice to
Blue Pine Trees
, but no matter),
Too Many Crooks
opens with the near-frenetic energy of "Weekend," and continues on through a greater number of rockers than either of its predecessors. It's a double-edged sword; the power of the band's earlier albums was their ability to turn up the heat without increasing the volume. But moments like the semi-protracted fade of "Ferry Boat," and the almost-funky flirting of "Disco Dancer" are certainly audience-pleasers in waiting, while "No Way Out of Here" impressed producer
David Gilmour
so much that he covered it for inclusion on his first solo album. Remastered in 2009, with a bonus B-side added to the fun,
is a great album. But really, you could say that for everything
ever did. ~ Dave Thompson