Around Again 1972-1979

iTunes Review

Youngstown, Ohio's Blue Ash were a 1970s power pop band with heavy guitars, a strong and spastic Keith Moon inspired drummer, flawless vocal harmonies and a raspy frontman who helped the band sometimes sound like an American version of Slade. Since Blue Ash were another talented, '70s, guitar-pop quartet that obviously deserved to soar above the very commercial radar they struggled under, their recordings often garner more comparisons to Big Star. But like Slade, hip-swaying hair shakers such as the infectious ""Abracadabra"" sprinkle some glammy glitter into the song's stomping swagger, while ballads like ""Silver Horses"" display that Blue Ash had a fondness for string sections and dandy, breezy, baroque pop worthy of powdered wigs and silk handkerchiefs. So why are all 44 of these songs as largely unheard of as they are outstanding? Long story short: their A&R man decided to put most of his eggs in the basket of another band he was simultaneously pushing — The New York Dolls. But Nelson (and the prolific Blue Ash) had access to unlimited studio time, which is why this treasure trove of cult worshiped rock 'n' roll is so plentiful and perfect sounding.