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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 35 no. 15. 1972

Ticket: Awake — Down Under DL 1502

Ticket: Awake — Down Under DL 1502

In this first record from Ticket, the group has done itself an injustice by trying to bite off more than it can chew. But the ability is there, although it doesn't have the sophistication which seems to be epitomised by the phantasmagoric cover picture (provided by Mystic Garbage Truck). When there are only seven tracks on a record they must be colourful enough to sustain attention Dream Chant, is the longest track, and is the worst offender: as on all the tracks, there are tempo changes (three on this one), but variation seems to occur only between sections and not within them. And when they are repeated, it becomes monotonous. Also, lead vocalist Trevor Tombleson sometimes misses the note, which doesn't improve things.

Awake is a stimulating opener, featuring good basic timing by Ricky Ball on drums and Paul Woolright bass which is consistent throughout the record. However, the powerful backing tends to overshadow the vocal and this is even more evident in Highway of Love, one of the best numbers. The lyrics are at fault — banal, cliche-ridden and repetitive. The instrumentals, particularly effective lead guitar work by Eddie Hansen, make up for it.

One of the "Twenty Dynamic Hits" you hear ad nauseam in the radio ad is Country High — aimed at the hit parade with a commercial tambourine-backed country beat.

A Hendrix-like influence comes through occasionally — lead and vocals on Broken Wings in particular. The bass work on Reign Away is excellent; this number would be typical of Ticket's sound.

It's bloody good to see a record of this quality produced by a NZ group. Its in the same vein as Highway and Taylor and it provides a sound basis for the improvement that is probable.

—Alan Hughes.