Retro Reviews: Big Star: #1 record

    I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. This is a lesser-known album.

Big Star – Number 1 Record (1972)

****

Producer: John Fry

Musicians: Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Andy Hummel, Jody Stephens, Terry Manning

Songs: Feel, The Ballad of El Goodo, In The Street, Thirteen, Don’t Lie To Me, The India Song, When My Baby’s Beside Me, My Life Is Right, Give Me Another Chance, Try Again, Watch The Sunrise, ST 100/6

Reviewed By Matthew Anthony Allair

    New underground band from Tennessee has a creative duo that seems to want to model after Lennon / McCartney, But Big Star, while sharing similar elements from that power pop genre, seems to be also built on something different, they may be closest to the spirit of the British band Badfinger. The songs written by Alex Chilton and Chris Bell are often rather stellar, as well as an additional number from Hummel. Alex and Chris have very different voices, but they balance each other out well. The support from Hummel and Stephens works well to serve the material. Some of what Big Star does isn’t that different than some of The Byrds material, but there’s an additional intimacy, a more dryer sound, where production sweetening is done for effect, all of which pulls the listen in. I have to agree with Lester Bang’s early assessment with this band.

    The opener “Feel” is an odd number that may have been selected as a tone setter, but the next three group of songs are stellar. “The Ballad of El Goodo” has an infectious folk-based chorus, some of the lovely, intricate guitar work mirrors the vocal, there even might be a harpsicord present, the bright twelve strings make if difficult to discern. This already feels ahead of anyone else at the moment. Bell’s vocals are enrapturing. The power pop of “In The Street” has some great intricate guitar and a nice breakdown in the middle. The acoustic ballad “Thirteen” captures that feeling well of life before high school, with some lovely layering between the vocals and guitars. The rocker “Don’t Lie To Me” has nearly Stones spirit and a biting edge from Bell. Hummel’s song and vocal on “The India Song” offers something very different, a recorder or mellotron that harkens back to 1968 again. A diclinous closer to the first half.

    Side two opens with “When My Baby’s Beside Me”, a thrifty number that draws you and leaves you certain you are in good hand, there’s also a trace of Wah guitar for good measure, The ballad “My Life Is Right” shifts into life with the chorus, it’s the kind of thing you hope McCartney would write. The tone shifts to more quieter, contemplative material for the final half, as evidenced with “Give Me Another Chance” and another lovely vocal from Chilton, and rich instrumentation. The ballad “Try Again” has some nice and tasteful country slide work, some of that work mirrors Harrison’s post Beatles work. The brightness of “Watch The Sunrise” gives Chilton one of his stronger vocals, the final and brief number, “ST 100/6” feels like a Crosby, Stills and Nash Vingette. This albums feels so different from what is being offered, I hope it get’s attention, it’s impact may be similar to the Velvet Underground work, a band that may have a great impact if people listen, I have faith, regardless, this is a fun, worthwhile journey.