Metalville Records is releasing another set of archive recordings from the SWEET. This one being alternate mixes and demos from the Level Headed album. This looks like a new issue of a Record Store Day release from a few years ago. It does include an interview with Brian Connolly, as well as a shortened take of “Love Is Like Oxygen”, with a different vocal take (ending before the instrumental). What I also like here is a few of the instrumental (demo/rehearsal) takes – “California Nights”, the heavy “Unused Idea”, and “Air On A Tape Loop”. This is an interesting and enjoyable listen, as Level Headed was the album that saw a change from the band’s more hard-rock sound of the previous few albums, but listening to this, there was a lot of ‘rock’ here. Sadly, the last album to feature front-man Brian Connolly. But what a run of classic albums in the 70s. A ‘must’ for Sweet fans.
Level Headed, originally released in January 1978, was without doubt the most distinctive album SWEET had ever produced up to that point. AllMusic praised the album in their retrospective review for its wild mix of styles and the band’s shift from their earlier bubblegum singles to album-orientated rock.
In many ways, it was a gamble for SWEET. On the one hand, it shows many facets of the band that were easily overlooked on earlier albums and, at the same time, for the first time, new & previously unheard aspects.
Level Headed gave SWEET their last Top Ten hit with the dreamy “Love Is Like Oxygen,” a single that would later prove to be essential in the band’s oeuvre.
The new release Level Headed Alternate Mixes & Demos on METALVILLE RECORDS is a real rarity in SWEET’s catalog. The album was previously only available as a strictly limited vinyl version in the USA and will now be released on CD worldwide for the first time.
Tracklisting:
01 Brian Interview 1978
02 Dream On
03 Love Is Like Oxygen
04 California Nights
05 Strong Love
06 Fountain
07 Lady of The Lake
08 Silverbird
09 Lettres D’amour
10 Air On A Tape Loop
11Unused Idea
12 Cover Girl
Lineup
Brian Connolly – lead vocals (except as noted)
Steve Priest – bass guitar, synthesizer voice, backing vocals
Andy Scott – guitar, synthesizer, backing vocals
Mick Tucker – drums, percussion, backing vocals
MORE INFO:
www.thesweet.com, www.metalville.de
www.facebook.com/metalville
Outsider Rock 