Population II – 1970 AD
I surely enjoyed hearing it (the CD) and this is as best as I can describe it:
A couple of years ago, I got to hear one of the unauthorized releases of Population II by guitarist extraordinare Randy Holden. Soon after I found a copy on CD in New York. This CD was very very hard to find. I only knew about it from reading the liner notes on “The Best of Blue Cheer – Louder Than God” compilation of 1986. But even the liner notes got it wrong by naming it “Population One” on Hobitt Records. No mention of it being unathorized by Randy Holden for release.
Although recorded in 1970 it was never released by the record company. I have heard stories that the record company went bankrupt just as the album was released. But I have found out that all of that was erroneous and false. A few years later the record appears in a few places and is snatched up by collectors, mainly record store owners, and offered at escalated prices, if at all.
Well, that was then and this is now. And now is the authorized release of Population II – 1970 AD by Randy Holden as it was meant to be heard ! This CD comes with warnings that need to be heeded. For one keep in mind that the CD is recorded at a level twice that of a normal CD. Further explanations and warnings can be found on Randy’s website. With this in mind, it is recommended on first listening to turn your settings down on your stereo and as the CD plays slowly turn up the volume to a maximum level that your ears can absorb. Every person probably has a different threshold and this CD was meant to be played loud. But it is not intended to destroy your hearing. It is intended to destroy preconcieved notions about what music can be. Headphones are also recommended.
A remarkable CD ! It contains the original recording with Randy on guitar and vocals and Chris Lockheed (of KAK) on drums, bass and keyboard. It also contains Randy’s remix and guitar enhancements that try to capture the sound produced by 3200 RMS watts delivered by eight double stacks of Sunn Amps. No copp-outs here. It is difficult to imagine such a sound. So imagine how difficult it was to capture it on CD. So work your way gradually to the listening level required and let the music move you . . .
And it is moving. The bass is so heavy it sends reverberations up your bones and through them. Holden’s guitar is on fire. The vocals are a bit distant and the drums in the background, but that is the way I remember some of the loudest concerts I attended. None of them, however, could compare to Population II.
The first track, Guitar Song, warms up the listener to what lies beyond. Fruit and Iceburgs starts with a ferocious guitar that is not found on the New ! Improved ! version. Between Time with its concise vocal closes with an amazing dubbed second guitar that completely changes the return of Fruit and Iceburgs and gives an insight to the creative genius of Randy Holden. All of the overdubs maintain the tone of the original recording. Which is another jewel. The listener is presented with the seasoned, experienced Holden playing to and bouncing off the younger fiery Holden in a musical duel / excursion. Quite thrilling ! No singing with a deceased person here !
And then what was side two starts off with Blue My Mind, on which Randy goes ballistic adding a low end tone guitar to help fill out the original tracks. The new mix is really showcased on this song. Then on to Keeper of My Flame. Additional rythm guitar and added soloing give an added kick to this extended track. In the closing section, Randy adds his guitar with a flourish hammering the chords with glee twisting the song’s rythm in a different direction only to return again mutated from ones former self. And the listener likewise hangs on for the final chord. His added chord sequence ends with the most sorrowful sounding chords I have ever heard. Another gem.
The whole CD leads up to this ending track, so when you reach this song turn the volume up just a bit more ! And when the silence returns, and it will be more silent now, your body and mind can reflect on the awesome power, not oppressive . . . but overenveloping, that the sound of this guitar has.
And so Randy Holden presents his vision of the extreme possibility of the sound of the electric guitar. And it roars . . . like a lion . . . uncaged . . .
Perry