Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, February 2002 Originally released … Read Full Bio ↴Reviewed by: Keith "Muzikman" Hannaleck, February 2002
Originally released in 1973 and subsequently reissued on CD by Gear Fab, Akarma Records' vinyl version of Froggie Beaver includes a bonus 45 of songs that the CD version includes. This makes it more of a novelty or keepsake, if you will.
This group was all over the musical map. I think if they had chosen one genre to focus on, progressive rock would have been the best choice. If they had stayed together for more than one album, they would have left a serious impression on the development of prog-rock. There was too much inconsistency in their musical travels for any label, and that would be the deciding factor in their demise. It's a shame it turned out that way. This band had a lot to offer the listener. John Troia's echoing vocals on the seven minute bonus track "Janine In Somewhere Land" lands the group in the heart of progressive rock territory with fervor. Ed Strasko's swirling and spellbinding keyboards gave their sound a similarity to ELP's. The percussion of Rick Brown was majestic and eerie while John Fischer was the consummate musician playing both bass and lead guitar.
At times they sounded like a pop band. On the bonus 45 "Movin' On" sounded like it could have easily been a radio staple. "Lovely Lady" with its lush acoustic guitar and soft undertones shows the bands diversity, and by and large the inventive abilities of all the group members. So there are two ways to look at this album -- on the one hand their inconsistent musical direction was their downfall; on the other hand, the variety they offered proved that they were extremely talented and could have gone somewhere if given the chance. I see the value and enjoyment found in all of their music; it's too bad the music industry didn't feel the same way back in 1973.
Originally released in 1973 and subsequently reissued on CD by Gear Fab, Akarma Records' vinyl version of Froggie Beaver includes a bonus 45 of songs that the CD version includes. This makes it more of a novelty or keepsake, if you will.
This group was all over the musical map. I think if they had chosen one genre to focus on, progressive rock would have been the best choice. If they had stayed together for more than one album, they would have left a serious impression on the development of prog-rock. There was too much inconsistency in their musical travels for any label, and that would be the deciding factor in their demise. It's a shame it turned out that way. This band had a lot to offer the listener. John Troia's echoing vocals on the seven minute bonus track "Janine In Somewhere Land" lands the group in the heart of progressive rock territory with fervor. Ed Strasko's swirling and spellbinding keyboards gave their sound a similarity to ELP's. The percussion of Rick Brown was majestic and eerie while John Fischer was the consummate musician playing both bass and lead guitar.
At times they sounded like a pop band. On the bonus 45 "Movin' On" sounded like it could have easily been a radio staple. "Lovely Lady" with its lush acoustic guitar and soft undertones shows the bands diversity, and by and large the inventive abilities of all the group members. So there are two ways to look at this album -- on the one hand their inconsistent musical direction was their downfall; on the other hand, the variety they offered proved that they were extremely talented and could have gone somewhere if given the chance. I see the value and enjoyment found in all of their music; it's too bad the music industry didn't feel the same way back in 1973.
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