Digitally remastered two-fer containing a pair of albums from the L.A. Acid-Rockers: The Hook Will Grab You (1968) and Hooked (1969). The Hook evolved out of legendary Los Angeles' folk rockers the Leaves, and burst upon the 1967 music scene with a bombastic power trio sound that made Blue Cheer sound like wimps. Signed to the hip UNI label, they released two albums of heavy Psychedelic Blues Rock, similar to that of Cream and Jimi Hendrix. The addition of keyboards made their second album reminiscent of the Doors and Iron Butterfly. Tune in.
L**D
Forgotten Band From The Psychedelic Sixties
The Hook were a short-lived psychedelic/garage power trio from the sixties who made two albums in 1968 that belong in your collection if you are into this type of music. Their guitar player Bobby Arlin was in the Leaves and his fuzz orientated style was the hallmark of the Leaves' signature tune "Hey Joe". The Hook Will Grab You was their first release and is a power trio format with a lot of similarities to Blue Cheer, only with pop hooks and a sense of humor. Their second outing, Hooked, saw them with a new drummer and a keyboard player. While still a guitar-centered band by then, Hooked sounds somewhat like Iron Butterfly, heavy but with a pop approach and a dash of R&B. This CD features both albums plus a couple of single cuts, the latter seeing the band add horns, and which was not a step in the right direction from my point of view. The Hook's most famous song was "Son Of Fantasy", an extremely heavy tune for its day. They re-did the number into an even heavier arrangement in Hooked as "Son of Fantasy II", and added a drum solo enhanced by a "phasing" technique, similar to what you hear on the Super Session cut of "You Don't Love Me" or Eric Burdon and the Animal's "Sky Pilot". If you are into the Leaves, Blue Cheer, Chocolate Watchband, The Standells or similar proto-punk psych and garage bands, you will appreciate this collection. P.S.: I actually saw the Hook live when they were a trio, live at Warren High School in Downey, CA. They opened for Black Pearl, an equally obscure (now) band of the day.
K**T
Truly heavy psych classic
Many many albums lay claim to being "heavy" psych but turn out to be "West Coast" pop with or without orchestration, or folk psych which are both great genres in their own rights, but The Hook deliver the goods via the fuzzed out electric guitar of former Seeds axeman Bobby Arlin. Both albums are quality, good songs, songs playing, consistent guitar driven, though the second album does feature a keyboard player, heavy pscychedelic rock at its best. The single sides released as bonus tracks were recorded in 1969, as the beginning of a planned but never produced third album. Truly The Hook sound like Blue Cheer with just enough pop sensibility to really draw you into their music. If you like heavy, guitar driven psychedelic rock then this is a must have collection. Both albums and their only non-lp sides ever released all in one nice package with a 12 page color booklet telling the story of The Hook and their part in the West Coast rock scene of the late 1960s. Put these guys alongside Savage Resurrection and you get the picture. Its rare for music of such quality from major label releases as those of The Hook to have eluded reissue for 43 years, but this is certainly the case with this highly underrated power trio.
A**R
Five Stars
I loved this music. Brought me back to the beats of the 60s.
U**T
What a find.
Great music.A trip to the past.Lyracists and singers they arent.The musicianship and sound is awesome.I saw this band playing in a hippie joint on an episode of Ironside and realized that they werent acting but really playing.I cant believe I found their music for sale.
G**L
Four Stars
Good recording.
M**D
The Hook didn't really grab me.
I expected more from the description provided for this band. It's ok and admittedly they put out more records than I ever will, but it's not the heavy-groovy-bluesy psych masterpiece they would have you believe. Buy used only.
C**H
Five Stars
CD arrived in good shape and sounds great.
L**F
Five Stars
2 of my favorite 60's albums !
M**L
Average Amboy Dukes-style psych rock
This band has been compared to Blue Cheer but actually they have quite a different atmosphere and sound to BC. What connects the bands though is that the first song on 'The Hook Will Grab You' has a riff which is very reminiscent of a riff in one of Blue Cheer's Vincebus Eruptus songs. Blue Cheer are far heavier in my opinion, when I listen to this band I think more of early Amboy Dukes, but with a heavier guitar sound. They're not bad albums, but in a field crowded with great artists, it's no surprise they've been overlooked. Nevertheless, this may still interest fans of late 60s heavy psych rock.
C**Y
Great music.
Never heard of this band before viewing an old episode of Ironside. Great music.
