NUTZ – NUTZ [Rock Candy remastered +1]

As requested, the Rock Candy Records ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ reissue of NUTZ albums, officially released for the first time on CD. If NUTZ doesn’t ring a bell on you, they were a little sensation in UK during the Seventies, and in the ’80s the band changed its name to RAGE delivering 3 fantastic melodic hard rock albums.
NUTZ’s debut is their self-titled album “Nutz“, for the first time featured on this website, to complete collections.
With the rise of British rock as a major, worldwide, force during the early Seventies (think Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, etc.) a slew of up and coming home grown acts also appeared. Groups such as Strider, Bedlam and Stretch were all popular on the gig circuit and were joined by impressive contenders NUTZ, a group that had been building a reputation for some time.

Formed in their home city of Liverpool, initially trading under the name of Harpoon, this four man unit fitted right into the scene and not surprisingly secured major management (linked to Peter Grant, Led Zeppelin’s svengali) and an enviable deal with the influential A&M label.
Initial recordings with blues producer Neil Slaven were aborted but quickly reconvened with John Anthony (Queen, Roxy Music) at Rockfield studios located in rural Monmouthshire.
These sessions proved far more fruitful, paving the way for a record that made Nutz one of the country’s most talked about acts.

Issued in 1974, and housed in a highly controversial sleeve, the album attracted strong reviews from the music press and saw the band instigate an intense gigging schedule (including opening for Queen on their 1974 tour).
This debut LP itself is an impressive mixture of powerful hard rock, and more ambitious compositions such as the hard hitting ‘Ain’t No Thanks To You’ (featuring superb slide guitar), ‘As Far As The Eye Can See’ and ‘Poor Man’. It also showcases some exceptional individual performances, particularly from vocalist Dave Lloyd and guitarist Mick Devonport, who also is a fine singer, doing leads on one track.

Nutz were one of those hard-rocking bands that pointed the British boards through the first half of the 1970s — too tough to make much headway with the Glam Rock crowd, too big to dent the Pub Rock scene, but too individual to push into the metal circuit.
They had a strong manager, but A&M Records didn’t know how to sell / promote Nutz. With better handling, they could have given Thin Lizzy a run for their money; with better clothes, they could have topped Nazareth.
But it’s music what matters, and ”Nutz” is a really enjoyable slice of mid-Seventies Brit rock n’ roll.
This is the digital version of the album released by Rock Candy including a bonus track, a single B-side. The physical CD includes some live tracks as well.
Highly Recommended

01 – Poor Man
02 – Ain’t No Thanks to You
03 – Spoke in a Wheel
04 – I Can’t Unwind
05 – Can’t Tell Her Why
06 – As Far as the Eye Can See
07 – Love Will Last Forever
08 – Light of Day
09 – Round & Round
10 – Joke
BONUS TRACK:
11 – Just for the Crack (Single B-side)

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dave Lloyd
Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals on 7 – Mick Devonport
Bass, Backing Vocals – Keith Mulholland
Drums, Percussion – John Mylett

BUY
music.apple.com/us/album/nutz/1368990708