51. Rodriguez: Cold Fact

Released: March 1970

Chosen By: Ben

Comments - 

Paul: This album makes a tremendous start with Sugar Man. I love the trippy, LSD-Beatles sound (Portishead must have listened to it!) but there's no more of that on the record sadly. Then we're into an enjoyable Hendrix-esque guitar blast before we go a bit folky. 

I don't mind a bit here and there (Hate Street Dialogue is very good and Forget It and Rich Folks Hoax deserve a mention) but largely I can go without. I will be happy to never hear Gommorah again to be honest. On the whole though I am pleased to have been introduced to Rodriguez.

Dean: Dylanesque, but with a composure and delivered by a sugar coated voice. I was expecting protest songs and got something far more oblique.

I have been travelling through Detroit with Mary Jane on a hot Summer's day probably in an old open top Buick or similar boat. It is a rusty old crate but it is painted with exceptionally colourful motifs.

From beneath my sunglasses and marijuana haze I bounce from thought to thought impeded only by the radio station and news broadcasts.

I am constructing songs from fragrance and glimpses and longing and this is a potent moment, a time when things seem to be on the brink and positive change seems possible. I find 'Like Janis' and I play it over and over again and I never grow tired of that consolatory, insightful, effortless gift 🌟

Stu: Thanks for the recommendation Ben. If it wasn’t for this group review I would have nowhere near this record, EVER! 4 obstacles immediately in place, the title of the record, the cover art, the first 2 tracks and a review I read before listening!! I should never have given it a chance BUT I’m glad I did!! Track 3 hooked me and then the dylanesque delivery did entertain me!!! I’m really glad that I listened and I have enjoyed skipping the first 2 tracks!!! However the musical snob in me would refuse to buy this LP because the cover is so appalling that it would be embarrassing to own!! Also given the weight of LPS in my wishlist, well over 1000 it’s never going to have any hope of reaching the turntable! Good choice and a worthy effort!!!!

Ben:  I really like this album, it starts so well - creative, unusual, varied songs with a hint of trippyness. It dips off around Hate Street and then gets into a laid back folky theme with the singalongs I Wonder and Like Janis keeping the momentum going before it stops dead at the chorus of Gomorrah and struggles to get going again. I’d have preferred a couple more of the heavier guitar tracks and could have done without the two I mentioned. I think he has a great ear for a hook and some real stand outs on this album but also a bit of filler and a couple of mood killers which stop  this being a star for me - I should listen to his second album to see where he went next.