Don't be Fooled - This is a Good Album

Released in 1981, The Fool Circle is not what you would call a typical record from Nazareth. At the time, the band was trying to move in a new direction, a trend that started with Malice in Wonderland a year earlier and continued on through The Catch in 1984. The resulting sound was self-consciously "modern" with keyboards and a throbbing, disco-like rhythm on some songs. As unappealing as this might seem, the album has aged remarkably well. I can say this objectively because I first heard it just about a year ago, so it's not like I have any sort of nostalgic attachment to the record or to the sound of the time. What makes the album great, not surprisingly, are the songs. They are of the sort that stick in your mind and grow on you. In other words, it gets better the more you listen to it.

The Fool Circle has some anti-war songs (Dressed to Kill, Pop the Silos and Another Year) and a couple that deal with politics (Let Me be Your Leader and We Are the People) and several others of a romantic nature. All are good songs. Midnight Eyes is one of the best ballads they've ever recorded, and that's no small compliment seeing as there's a ballad or two on every one of their albums (yes, I have them all). The anti-war and political songs have as much relevance today as ever, seeing as the threat of war and nuclear destruction are still with us and politics hasn't changed. The romantic songs are easy to relate to. Victoria, the last song on the disc, is about that first crush in everyone's past that can't be forgotten. A little Part of You expresses another universal emotion. The bonus tracks are pretty good as well. There are some live tracks and two studio tracks taken from Snaz. I'd have to say that their original cover of Morning Dew from the first, self-titled album is better than the remake included here.

The songs on this one are perhaps a little lighter than on many of Nazareth's records, which might disappoint some. But don't be fooled by the relative lack of searing guitar work and power chords. After you get beyond the pop gloss, you will realize that The Fool Circle is an excellent release that's worth many a listen. So press that "add to shopping cart" button and shell out a few bucks. you might just find yourself digging this one out of the rubble after a nuclear holocaust and listening to it as you die of radiation poisoning. "Sooo sorry now...but that don't change a thing anyhow..."

Not Hard Rock album ...but Overall Good album

This is one of NAZARETH's not-so-hard-rocks album.But nonetheless, thought provoking and enjoyable to listen and can relate to everyone. The tracks without bonus tracks are:

1.DRESSED TO KILL

2.ANOTHER YEAR - Good riffs with good lyrics in the genre of SCORPION's "WIND OF CHANGE". Great song!

3.MOONLIGHT EYES - I've mixed feelings for this one. It is a bit bluesy or pop-like but great ballad nevertheless.

4.POP THE SILO

5.LET ME BE YOUR LEADER - Good song and i like the lyrics so much..This song and "we are the people" is good enough to buy this album.

6.WE ARE THE PEOPLE - "We are the people. I am YOU. You are Me. Any fool can see." Thought-provoking and a little bit political.

7.EVERY YOUNG MAN'S DREAM - This disco-flavored song will make you move and sing along. I love this song. But if you are die-hard rock fan, you will be disappointed.

8.LITTLE PART OF YOU - another pop-flavored BEATLES'-like song. But enjoyable nevertheless.

9.COCAINE - LIVE VERSION - Great song with and good live version.

10.VICTORIA - Good sweet ballad that make you nostalgic enough to remember good ol' days and your first date.

Overall, this album will grow on you. Just grab it and listen to it. You will know what i mean.

Top 3

One of the top three Naz albums. Hair of the Dog is #4, BTW. Anyone that remembers the Cold War will connect a little better to these songs. Dan SWEARS it wasn't a concept album, it just worked out that way.