Sweet-Desolation Boulevard, 1974

This is the American version of this release so it actually contains half of the UK release of the same name plus half of the Sweet fanny Adams album. Sweet had different sounds through their career, but I think their strongest was between 73-76. Even here it is a blend of different sounds rolled together. There is smooth harmonizing and catchy choruses all over the place, but there are also odd pace changes and some strained vocals that also work. The tracks "Ballroom blitz" and "Fox on the run" are the two hits here and you have probably heard the various cover versions of them as well. Yet it's really some of other tracks on the album where the band lay down what should be their legacy. "Set me free" is so awesome even now as it just flies through, but still manages to be smooth as silk. The "6-teens" is so powerful because it puts so much weight on the vocals and lyrics and they carry the load easily. The album is often called glam, but it's really a mixture of styles. You can here some 60's British pop, some early 70's bubblegum pop, hard rock and then some odd stuff through in just to make it interesting. I think too many people remember this band for their hits and don't delve further into their back catalog. I know Motley Crue and Def Leppard liked these guys a lot and I guarantee the Ramones heard Sweet because you can hear the influence. As with all of the albums I am reviewing this week I listened to this on vinyl. I picked up my copy back in 1992 at a yard sale for like a dollar and I was floored by it. I am still finding things about this album to enjoy.