Level Headed

Artist: Sweet
Label: One Way Records Inc
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Format: Original recording reissued
Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 724353195427
EAN: 0724353195427
ASIN: B00005B181

Release Date: 2001-04-10

Level Headed

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General

| Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock

| Pop | Styles | Music

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| Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music

General

| Rock | Styles | Music

General

| Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

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General

| Classic Rock | Styles | Music

CDs $7 - $10

All Bargain Titles

CDs $7 - $10

All Bargain Titles

CDs $7 - $10

All Bargain Titles

Tracks:

California Nights
Silver Bird
Dream On
Fountain
Love Is Like Oxygen
Anthem, No. 1 (Lady of the Lake)
Strong Love
Lettres d'Amour
Anthem, No. 2
Air on 'A' Tape Loop

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Album Description

Originally released in 1978, this British rock band featuredBrian Connolly, Steve Priest, Andy Scott and Mick Tucker. The album yielded a top 10 hit with 'Love Is Like Oxygen'. This CD is re-mastered using 32-bit technology. 10 tracks. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews:

Buy the Repertoire Release if you can !!.......2007-05-04

This has always been one of my favorite LPs
I grew up just loving It I like this CD
And A Cut Above there much better then the early
POP/Glam rock of sweet
This is really an Awesome CD
I would look for the Repertoire Release of this out of Germany
I just got it from Amazon used and it has 4 bonus tracks

3 and one-half stars.......2004-11-25

Moving well into their 30's in age the Sweet takes a turn to the adult-oriented rock genre. Having been known either for being Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn's band, or hard rockers writing occasionally killer songs, Sweet turns the volume down to a low scream for "Level Headed" in 1978. Unbeknownst to fans this was to be Brian Connolly's swan song as the rest of the band was about to give the alcoholic singer the boot in a most uncool, devious manner. The album really shines as Steve Priest and Andy Scott step up and deliver a collection of fine songs, all four members giving superb performances. "California Nights" sets the mood by the band doing their best Eagles/Fleetwood Mac impersonation, but "Silverbird" is pure Sweet with killer rythm by Priest and Tucker. "Fountain" surprises by showing range in the band's songwriting talents. "Love is Like Oxygen" we all know it, it's so good...nuff said. Side two offers up a string ensemble for a song from out of nowhere "Anthem No. 1" sung beautifully by Brian. "Strong Love" is a mid-tempo rocker that fit nicely in the pocket with a killer groove. The album ends on the strange "Air on 'A' Tape Loop", but somehow seems like the perfect end for the band. "Level Headed" is what's known as progressing as a band, and many times spells death. The Sweet were lucky in this regard, the audience accepted them in their new format, and the band didn't need to retrace their steps....for another two albums. Level Headed could be perceived as a high water mark for the band critically as well as commercially. To others, its just limp rock and roll. I think it stands on its on merits.

You get too much, you get too high.......2004-10-30

For the second time in their already stellar career, Sweet wanted to make a break with their past. The first time, they wanted to break the leash of their teen-pop controllers Chinn and Chapman, and the band did just that with the massive success of "Desolation Boulevard." Three albums later, Sweet decided they wanted something else...musical respect. To a certain extent, "Level Headed" delivered on those efforts.

The change is obvious with the opening softness of "California Nights." It chimes with acoustic guitars and harmonies straight out of Poco. "Dream On" is a ballad, saturated with strings. Harpsicords cascade through "Lady Of The Lake." The closing instrumental, "Air On A Tape Loop" sounds like something off an Alan Parsons Project CD. The harmonies throughout are highly reminiscent of Queen. The overall feel of "Level Headed" is relaxed and effortless, proving that Sweet obviously had more chops than "Ballroom Blitz" might have led one to believe.

Problem is, their urge to create "serious music" completely robbed Sweet of their edge. If you're looking for a piece of the "Action" here, you'll be completely confounded. Also, despite the obvious desire to come off as progressive, Sweet just ain't Yes. All of this can be forgiven by the high point of "Level Headed," Sweet's final American hit, "Love Is Like Oxygen." Balancing perfectly between its instrumental workout and ham-hook chorus, it was a deserved worldwide smash. Sadly, it was also Brain Connely's last hurrah with the band, and future albums suffered from his loss (the sole good song from "Sweet VI," "Sixties Man," can be found on the Capitol Records best of collection). Having the full length "Love Is Like Oxygen" alone makes this album worth owning, but otherwise, it's for diehard Sweet lovers only.

OK, but where's their Edge?.......2003-09-05

Sweet made a radical change in their sound on this album. The production got better, but the writing got softer. The best tracks tend to be the ones written by or with Brian Connolly, the others are either sappy or pretensious. Yes perhaps you could compare this with Alan Parsons, not really though...There are two standout cuts: Love is Like Oxygen is a classic and influential tune, and Air On A Tape Loop is very cool, experimental with synths and interesting harmonies. This was the last one with singer Connolly who was likely "left behind" due to his alcoholism.

Remastered sound a bit dissapointing. Album still great........2002-09-24

To be honest, the remastered job on this CD failed to impress me. Nevertheless, I still rate this CD with 5 stars because it's simply outstanding, full of emotion and musical maturity. Released in 1978, Level Headed is definitively one of Sweet's best, yet most intriguing productions. The Sweet had just established itself as one of the hardest rocking bands during the 1974-1977 rock vintage period. Not necessarily winning over their always overtly harsh "critics", but Brian Connolly (v), Mick Tucker (d), Steve Priest (b) and Andy Scott (g) had finally demonstrated their enormous musical talents. The band peaked during this period and their influence on `80s rock metal bands is simply undeniable. For starters, Motley Crue copied every riff, antics, mayhem from The Mighty Sweet, always falling way short in their attempt. Always imitated but never equaled. No teeny bop #1 hits were necessary anymore, as The Sweet was a band on a mission, a mission to do and say whatever they wanted. They were totally outrageous and out of control. And then came "Level Headed", an album displaying their softer side. This album is night and day compared to their recent musical past, but still delivered some of the bands richest repertoire. Sadly, this is the last album to feature Brian Connolly on vocals, and well... The Sweet was regretfully never the same. The import CD version is much better than this, it sounds great and it also has two superb extra songs: "Show Me the Way" (a rocking continuation of their excellent "Laura Lee" ballad from their prior release, and "Cover Girl".

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