Hot Wacks

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Even though the glam-touched folk-rock songs on The Wackers’ 1971 debut album, <i>Wackering Heights</i>, failed to compete with Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd, Elektra Records decided to let the band record a sophomore long-player—this time in a Montreal studio. While the aptly titled <i>Hot Wacks</i> still reveals Fab Four worship (dig the mellow cover of John Lennon’s “Oh My Love”), most of the songs better reflect the band’s harder-rocking live performances. The album starts strong with the contagiously catchy “I Hardly Knew Her Name,” which plays a bit like The Monkees borrowing The Who’s instruments. “Wait and See” grooves on a Marc Bolan–inspired glam strut, replete with hard-boogying rhythms and subtle nods to '50s rock ‘n’ roll in the guitar leads. Fans of the band’s Crosby, Stills & Nash–inspired harmonies from the preceding <i>Wackering Heights</i> will be pleased to hear a return to folk-rock form with “Do You Know the Reason” and “Time Will Carry On.” Still, the gritty “Anytime/Anyday” hinted at the direction of 1973’s <i>Shredder</i>.

via Apple Music