After the success of 'Death Walks Behind You', an appearance on Top of the Pops, and a successful tour, it was time for emerging stars Atomic Rooster to record their third album. The album is a perfect example of a band evolving and in constant transition, such as they show with this little-known gem of the 70s British rock.
Much less bombastic than the band's earlier releases, 'In Hearing Of' is almost funky at times.
The lyrics are doom-laden in the spirit of much of this genre of British hard rock at the time, and pseudo-classical references crop up from time to time, but Vincent Crane's keyboards are generally tasty, and the melodies are often downright memorable.
The album's genre is not-quite-metal, not-quite-progressive, but evocative and very well executed. Its influence can be heard in bands such as Uriah Heep and Hawkwind, as well as millennial bands such as Wolfmother.
Tracklisting
Side A:
1. BREAKTHROUGH
2. BREAK THE ICE
3. DECISION / INDECISION
4. A SPOONFULL OF BROMIDE HELPS THE PULSE RATE GO DOWN
Side B:
1. BLACK SNAKE
2. HEAD IN THE SKY
3. THE ROCK
4. THE PRICE