Absolute Pinnacle of their studio output!

For a long time I thought this was the last studio album before a prolonged break. It appears there may have been one other studio album, however I've never seen/heard it. This work represents all that T.Y.A & Alvin Lee were striving for throughout their recording career. Gone are the arty pretensions & self indulgent solos. What you have here is a serious group of talented individuals in there prime, lean, mean, free of filler - best! Tonally this is superior to other releases, as Chick Churchill introduces new keyboard sounds to his pallete. Check the intro to "Religion" for some seriosly tasty keyboard sounds. I was never a fan of the organ sound that so dated many bands of this era. Although the songs and solos are shorter, each member still performs some of their best work, as a tight rock'n unit. Production values are excellent also. This is the first review I have ever written. I love this album so much I wore out 2 L.P's & 1 audiocassette before c.d's come along! It is an all time little known classic. Much of 1973's excellent followup "Recorded Live", is based on this album, and continues the heighty performance of a classic band in it's prime. rock n' roll as art!

Alvin Lee smokes Clapton

Alvin Lee's guitar heroics alone rank him at the top of the British Blues scene. He was an unqualified star in this regard. Even now, memories of Lee blazing up and down the neck of his red Gibson are etched in the collective Woodstock psyche. Still, to recall Alvin Lee is really to recall Ten Years After. The profound cohesiveness Ten Years After displayed in concert is perhaps what brands them the most. Many great studio bands - Led Zeppelin included - never exhibited the rowdy tautness Ten Years After delivered live. While Jimmy Page was undoubtedly the pre-eminent virtuouso of the day, Alvin Lee had his own Yardbirds act nailed -- a true get yer ya ya's out bloke, equally happy with rock, boogie, or the blues.



As for material, Ten Years After did covers and wrote their own songs. To compare with Clapton, for one, there is certainly no AA. A quick look at Slowhand's solo work reveals many dubious compositions -- often little more than kool Easy Listening. In fact, Rhapsody Music currently ranks God #4 on the Adult Contemporary Charts, right behind Mariah Carey. This may not impeach his guitar playing mastery, however, his song selection is certainly ripe for scrutiny. In contrast, "Rock & Roll Music to the World" is testament to smart song writing and tasty licks. It may not attain the blues brilliance or immediacy of "Undead", but those who pass on this disc will miss some true gems. 'Religion', 'Standing at the Station', 'Choo Choo Mama', and the title track are sizzling numbers. On your list should also be 'Tomorrow I'll be out of Town' and 'TV Blues'. All told, a very worthy disc.



When I recollect British Blues history, the Bluesbreakers, Yardbirds, Stones, and others come to mind. I don't know where Ten Years After rank in this pantheon, but I am certain of three things: TYA can flat out jam; Lee has a strong and soulful voice; the tunes penned for this album are tight rock-boogie romps which live and breathe to this instant. Without question, Alvin Lee's string and song-craft place him in the cream of early 70's Brit Blues pickers. And if Clapton can hold onto his famous title, despite an ever growing catalog of soft-rock treasures, then Lee, master of the funk-a-licious chord change, must be 2nd in line for Sainthood.

Rock and Blues History at it's best.....!

This album stands out if you really like rock and blues blended into a special foot stomping harmony. The rock and roll effects created by Alvin Lees' magical guitar brings out the best of Ten Years After. A solid rock album with good blues that is quite rare compared with todays artists.