Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol. 40 Number 4. March 21 1977

Nazareth: Play 'n' the Game

Nazareth: Play 'n' the Game

Album cover of Nazareth's Play'n the Game

To me it seems somewhat surprising that Nazareth's records meet with any real success. It's generally a heavy sort of sound, characterized by tracks such as "Somebody to Roll". A bassy rhythm, predictable lyrics, loud and beaty. Their instrumentation is, of course, beyond reproach and there are some effects put into the music, but overall I found myself comparing them to groups such as the Sweet and others of their kind. Many will think this an unfair comparison, but the essential qualities of Nazareth's seem somewhat similar except, of course, that they are aiming at a much older age group. As you progress through the album, you come upon some more interesting tracks-such as 'Flying", which shares few traits with most other tracks on the album. It's different—no thumping bass beat, no reliance on a heavy sound. It's tracks like that which make this album worth buying. But even "Flying" shares definite traits with I don't went to go or without you, another quieter, and I think, more worthwhile track than most on the album. The rest, with the possible exception of Wild Honey, are all much the same - slow or fast, they all share basic traits.

If you're into the bassy, beaty, heavy sound, then this album is a superbly executed example. But if you yearn for a little more originality and diversity in your music, you won't really consider this, unless you're buying it for the three tracks mentioned previously. I'm sure, however, that Nazareth has a loyal band of supporters which will make up the major sales numbers.

Record kindly supplied by Colin Morris, 54 The Terrace.

—G. Wright