I believe that when Woolly Wolstenholme left Barclay James Harvest they lost some of their aprkle and originality.

This is the first of what I would call the "formula albums" where John Lees and Les Holroyd share the songwriting in equal amounts.

A number of BJH fans have questionned whether this policy has been right. I prefer John's songs - it's a personal thing. They always seem to be more original and I believe that is illustrated with this album.

It does improve the more you hear it, but it is short of a vital undefinible ingredient. "Rock N Roll Lady", "The Song (They Love to Sing)", "Love on the Line" and "Alright Down Get Boogie" are very ordinary and the album is saved by the likes of Skin Flicks which seems to be two distinctive songs in one and "Play to the World" which for me is one of Les' best songs.

Many of the basic BJH ingredients are here - the expansive guitar work, the crashing keyboards but they are less original and more sterile.

Thankfully there was better to come.

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