MAX WEBSTER – Max Webster (Rock Candy Remastered)

All the early, essential Canadian Rock albums by MAX WEBSTER have been remastered by Rock Candy Records, and as requested by many of you, here’s the last from the batch, their rollicking self-titled debut “Max Webster”.
Fronted by talented Kim Mitchell, MAX WEBSTER was an essential act in Canadian Rock history.
When it comes to capturing the imagination and interest of progressive hard rock fans then Max Webster must surely be one of the successful. Once you get your head around the fact that they weren’t actually named after a real person – so no one in the band was actually called Max Webster – then suddenly all the weirdness becomes acceptable and endearing.

Why are Max Webster still held in such high esteem by their devoted fan base? Possibly because they concocted an ideal mixture of humor and incredible playing / composition. From playful musical sections (especially Mitchell guitar work) to the words of lyricist Pye Dubois, Max Webster could also be counted on to poke you in the ribs.

Certainly, Max Webster wasn’t ordinary band. An electric and eccentric four piece based in Toronto, and led by the ever imaginative Kim Mitchell, the band maximised their curious non conventional appeal by crafting hard rock rich in melody with a progressive nod to the left-of-centre approach pioneered by King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Captain Beefheart and Genesis.
It was a heady mixture for sure but one that paid long lasting dividends.

Discovered and signed to Rush’s management company (SRO), the band’s debut album originally issued in 1976 and helmed by Rush producer Terry Brown, was funded and issued by Taurus, SRO’s in house production company.
It only takes few listens to appreciate this album for what it is: a paradoxically funny yet rocking progressive little masterpiece that runs the gamut from bizarre to blues to rock to campfire, with poetic lyrics to match. From the seemingly out-of-control ‘Hangover’ to the mournful ‘Lily’, this album really does have it all.

Despite the diversity in sounds and challenging arrangements, this band was not short on melody and managed to create catchy songs out of the most absurd material, such as “Toronto Tontos”. Yet this is balanced by songs like the groovy “Here Among the Cats”.
Regardless, it’s impossible to get either song out of your head. Mitchell’s soloing on “Here Among the Cats” is stunning, by the way.

You can’t understate how important, groundbreaking, and fantastic this album is.
Just listen to the upbeat “Blowing The Blues Away”, or “Only Your Nose Knows” for a taste of the best music that Canada has ever put up for offer. “Summer’s Up”…”Coming Off the Moon”… not a bad song in the bunch.

Max Webster self-titled debut album is a sublime and incredibly captivating piece of work, with as many twists and turns as quirky hooks and riffs can possibly allow.
This Rock Candy remastered reissue makes justice to this criminally underrated record, one you need to check out to hear how creative Rock music was at the time. They don’t make albums like this anymore…
Highly Recommended

01 – Hangover
02 – Here Among The Cats
03 – Blowing The Blues Away
04 – Summer Turning Blue
05 – Toronto Tontos
06 – Coming Off The Moon
07 – Only Your Nose Knows
08 – Summer’s Up
09 – Lily

Kim Mitchell – guitars and lead vocals
Paul Kersey – drums and percussion
Mike Tilka – bass and vocals
Terry Watkinson – keyboards and vocals
Pye Dubois – lyrics

BUY IT
www.amazon.co.uk/Max-Webster/dp/B007HFHC2K