Slight Return Dept.

Not one of Ed Caraeff's finer moments.

Beachcombing. The Isle O'Foam© is the beachcomber's paradise. If you can remember when beaches were made of sand, and not plastic bottles, fast food packaging, nitrous oxide canisters, and the bloated corpses of poisoned marine life, you'll maybe remember the lost art of beachcombing. Walking along the beach, digging your toes in, finding small treasures. Here's what I found recently - not much to look at - that cover could be just about any late 'sixties band getting back to nature and gazing with eyes unclouded by cynicism at a bright Aquarian future - but I took it back to the gold-plated Airstream H.Q., dusted it off, and was very pleasantly surprised.

First, by the fact that it's from '71, when that Aquarian dream was already dead and buried. Second, by the powerhouse rhythm section, which is a freaking joy to hear. That's the first thing I listen for these days, and if the drummer and the bass player check the boxes I look at what else there is. Plenty - weirdly catchy songs that veer between hard rock and country. Stub-your-toe time changes, tough and agile lead guitar, and great lead vocals that never descend into that throaty blues-buster caricature. This is a real keeper, and as good as those striped pants on the cover promise.