Budgie 1971

Looking back on it, I honestly wonder why it took me a decade and a half to finally get into this band. True, finding their albums in the shops (and finding the shops in general) was difficult but after loving Metallica's covers of their tunes since I was barely a teenager should have kicked me in the backside and picked up a record or 2. Well, it took a trip to Waterloo Records in Austin, TX and a discounted copy of "If I Were Britannia I'd Waive the Rules" to get me into the game. I'm thankful that I did and I then began my journey into the Welsh Wilderness that is Budgie. I picked this up a few months later and I was impressed at their ability to have so much of their distinctive sound already in place so early in the game. Right from the get-go "Guts" has that great Sabbathean riff over that almost funky backbeat and the Geddy Lee-esque vocals from Burke Shelley that the band would become famous for. Many people have gone on about how criminally underrated guitarist Tony Bourge is and it only takes a few minutes on here to see how correct they are. Much like Iommi, his heavy, semi-laconic style has a devastating effect on the band's sound giving it a slow menace that drives songs like "The Author" and "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman". Shelley also would throw in brief acoustic numbers in-between the riffage of the rockers and the first of these would be "Everything In My Heart". This practice would continue through the rest of the decade and I for one like the contrast of the material. I feel that the album really starts cooking on side two with "Rape of the Locks" and the underrated "All Night Petrol" (which Shelley claimed was a filler track no less!) and the brutal "Homicidal Suicidal" with Shelley's howling vocals over a punishing riff. It's a shame that this band remained in the shadows while so many of their contemporaries scaled the heights of stardom. That point is driven home with the alternate mix of the original "Crash Course in Brain Surgery", one of the tracks eventually made famous by Metallica some 16 or so years later. Chances are good that even if you are an ardent hard rock fan, you probably haven't heard this. Change that and get started on this band today. You will be thankful you did.

Great album great service

For a few years I've seen CDs of this band while browsing through the B section of local record stores (they can still be called "record stores" right?). I had no idea who they were or what they sounded like...in fact, with all the garage rock revival that has happened, I thought they might be a modern band. I looked them up here on Amazon and found out they were another early metal band from England at the time of Zeppelin, Purple, Sabbath, Heep, etc. I checked out the sample of "Homicidal Suicidal" and was knocked out (much like I was by Sir Lord Baltimore a month earlier...check out my review for them). Good crunchy Sabbath-like guitar riffs with a Geddy Lee like vocal on top...sounded good to me!I ordered the 2004 remastered version on Noteworthy...not the inferior Repertoire release some years back. This band is really good...not awesome because it can't really compare to Zeppelin, Purple, or even Grand Funk Railroad for that matter. However this album does not sound like it came out in 1971, it's loud, heavy, and packs one hell of a wallop...just check out the opening guitar chords for first song "Guts." Tony Bourge was another good guitarist for this time...a little Tony Iommi and Ritchie Blackmore mixed together. Burke Shellys lead vocals were most definitely unique..like I said think Geddy Lee of Rush only with a bit more gusto and emotion poured into them. If you want to check out Budgie, start at the beginning with this album. Oh by the way did I mention Metallica covered two of their songs...."Crash Course In Brain Surgery" and "Breadfan." Obviously James Hetfield and co. were listening!

Had this on an a imported CD which was a good listen. BUDGIE fans would love this on vinyl.

Definitely, Budgie was the one of my favorite and the most important British rock band. Compared with their 1st, 3rd, and 4th, this album is slightly weak in speed and power, however, still is shining through the whole vinyl and marks as a minimalistic masterpiece in hard rock history. I have already owned two versions of this album, original first pressing vinyl and Roadrunner version. Recently, I have found this new remastered version came out and eventually got this several days ago in a full expectation for a new dimensional sound. However, after listening to this new version, I'm deeply disappointed at the remastering condition. Even compared with the early 90's version of Roadrunner version, needless to say original vinyl, this version sounds suffocating with the lack of clarity as well as weak with the lack of powerful low-pitched base. Moreover, lack of distinction among instruments and channels. Most recording companies should remember that Alternative mix or later re-jamming version may be a good present for us; however, most of old-rock lovers are more enthusiastic for the new dimensional excellent quality of familiar old stuffs.

Great Album. Pioneers of heavy metal

Though this is their only album I've fully listened to, I daresay Budgie's eponymous album ranks among the best hard-rock acts ever. Its sound is as heavy as any of those Black Sabbath's glorious first productions (with Osborne), but unequivocally original. A solid album in its own right.

This album starts off w/ a great hook. Some of the slower moments don't always float my boat, but this is overall a great album that I want to listen to more than once. The band has elements of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Rush (to my ears).

Très bon groupe.

Good disc from a classic band and delivered quickly.

EXCELLENT FIRST RELEASE!!!!!

Just got into Budgie less than a week ago and I've now got the 1st 4 albums.And let me tell ya they must be one of the underrated bands of all time. Maybe it's the band name "Budgie" that played a part in that, who knows? But they are heavy and absolutely incredible.Everything from the guitar riffs, the incredible bass playing and the solid drumming is so good.I'll be getting the rest of the back catalogue in time.If you like Sabbath and the likes then buy this album then the rest. You won't be disappointed.

This album originally saw the light of day in 1971 and must easily be one of the most under-rated debut albums of the decade.This hard rocking debut has such classic tunes as "Guts" and "Homicidal Suicidal" and would influence bands such as Metallica and Soundgarden who have bothered covered tracks that appear on this album.A near perfect debut from the Welsh Rock legendsTrack listingsAll songs written and composed by Burke Shelley, Tony Bourge and Ray Phillips.1. "Guts" 4:212. "Everything in My Heart" 0:523. "The Author" 6:284. "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" 8:415. "Rape of the Locks" 6:136. "All Night Petrol" 5:577. "You and I" 1:418. "Homicidal Suicidal" 6:412004 remaster bonus tracks9. "Crash Course in Brain Surgery" (alternate mix) 2:3610. "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" (single edit) 4:0811. "Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman" (2003 version) 3:4512. "Guts" (2003 version)If you are a fan of classic hard rock then you must check this CD out 10/10