Search - Spooky Tooth :: Cross Purpose

Spooky Tooth is back in fine form

J. B Brent | Oak Ridge, Tennessee USA | 06/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a reunion I never thought possible. But I'm glad it happened, because the guys sound great. The vocals are strong, and the guitar work is clean and sharp. There are many memorable tracks. In fact this set brings the best of the early Humble Pie sound as a bonus. Let's hope the success of this album brings Gary Wright back and a U.S. tour happens. Be sure to buy this one. And, hey, can we have YOU BROKE MY HEART SO I BUSTED YOUR JAW and TOBACCO ROAD reissues next?"

Most reunions suck but...

Jeffrey Capshew | New York, NY USA | 03/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a really good one. Four of the five musicians who made the all time classic "Spooky Two" are back, and they've made a damn good album. The only one missing is Gary Wright, the "Dream Weaver" guy. If you liked "Spooky Two", give this a try. Mike Harrison, one of the great blues/rock singers, is in such astonishingly good vocal form, you'd swear he was saving his pipes for the last 25 years to make a comeback. Buy this CD now!!"

Crossed purpose?

Clyde D. Hoops | Back where I started from in Oceanside California | 02/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After waiting for who knows how long (25-30 years) one can find no fault with the promise of a new release from Spooky Tooth, except that it took so long. The one unfortunate thought about this release is that the probability of further album/CDs is non-existant. The band, in this incarnation with Greg Ridley/bass, Mike Kellie/drums, Luther Grosvenor/guitar and Mike Harrison/vocals is as original as you can get minus the "Dream Weaver". Indeed Mike Harrison voice does sound as if he were waitng for a long time comeback, not like some vocalists still kicking around on the tour circut trying to rekindle old flames to past glories with voices that have aged well beyond embarrassment. The one complaint I seem to share with other reviewers is the loss of the heavy, dark, menacing interplay of the organ/piano, and Luther Grosvenors often searing guitar leads. I agree that the production is too slick for this particular band. There is an uneasy hollowness or distance within the the mix which this band didn't use to have. Check out "I am the Walrus" from 'The Last Puff' album, loudly or even 'Hosanna' from the often unfairly bashed "Ceremony" album to get a meaning/idea of Luther Grosvenor really at work playing guitar. Past producers had given the sessions of earlier recordings a warmth that does seem to be missing here. Thankfully some of the past titiles are available remastered from Edsel/Island recordings. Memories of "Something to say" and " Down River" from 'The Last Puff' and even a little of the first album 'Its All About...' come back in songs such as "throw me a line", "sunshine", "love is real" and "it's you girl" Surely a very fine album from a band no one would have expected even with some possibly forgivable glaringly slick production, but with what purpose? The thought leaves one crossed.Too bad there wasn't a tour!"