AN underrated classic

This is one of the all time classic albums of the mid 70's, but unfortunately, most people don't know it. Usually, when you saw the name Nazareth, most people think of the album that immediately preceded this one, Hair Of The Dog. That album had their big US hit, a cheesy retread of an old Everly Bros. chestnut called Love Hurts.

But it's on Close Enough..., that the band truly comes across the tough, hard rockin' band from Scotland that they are. The album opens with the stunning 8 minute composition Telegram, which is sort of a total encapsulation of life on the road, with the endless series of one nighters, early wake up calls, endless airline flights, and press conferences. It's also the track that the album title comes from ("Check guitars before you go/Close enough for rock n roll"). Manny Charlton's guitar playing on his track is amazing, particularly during the instrumental bridge following the So You Wanna Be A Rock N Roll Star quote.

Other stand out tracks on this album include the beautiful instrumental Vicki, Home Sick Again, Vancouver Shakedown, Born Under The Wrong Sign, Lift The Lid, and You're The Violin.

The only loser track on the album is Carry Out Feelings, which sounds like they were trying to follow up Love Hurts with another cheesy pop/rock song that sounds like it could have just easily been sung by any of the country/pop singers who popular in the US at the time. This one song is the only reason I give the record a four star rating instead of five.

Overall, though, this is a great album that every hard rock fan should own. The bonus tracks are nice to have, though the only one that's really essential is their cover of the old Tomorrow hit My White Bicycle (for those who don't know, Tomorrow were a late 60's psych band in England, who are most famous today for that one song, and also because future Yes/Asia/GTR guitarist Steve Howe played with them). In fact, I'd rather they had left Carry Out Feelings in the can and put My White Bicycle in it's place.

Anyway you look at it, this is an album worth owning!!!!!