Nazareth - Close Enough for Rock N' Roll/Play N' the Game
"Close enough for Rock N' Roll" is album number seven from Nazareth released in March 1976.
 
The album is a bit mellower compared to the predecessors, but it's a varied album with splendid songwriting as the key element. Even though the individuals are great musicians they never show off and all Nazareth albums sound like a band effort. "Close Enough For Rock N' Roll" might be the best example of what a strong unit Dan McCafferty, Darrel Sweet, Pete Agnew and Manny Charlton is when the individuals group as Nazareth.
 
The album opens with the 8-minute epic Telegram, which is divided in 4 parts and certainly a Nazareth classic. Telegram is a bit different compared to their other songs but still a song only Nazareth could have written.
 
The albums closes with another extended track; the haunting You're The Violin, which clocks in at 9 minutes. You're the Violin takes you through several emotions - Nazareth manages to touch the listener with the splendid arrangement and Dan McCafferty's expressive vocals.
 
The commercial Carry Out feelings is slick FM friendly rock made to be played on the North American radio stations. Nazareth's focus was on the American market and they toured immensely in North America. In Canada they headlined arenas and the song Vancouver Shakedown is a about a touring experience.
 
 "Close enough for Rock N' Roll" isn't as intense and direct as the previous "Hair of the Dog", but the album showed more sides of Nazareth and more ambitious musically.
 
"Play N' the Game" is fascinating because it was written in the studio. At the time Nazareth was a well-oiled recording machine. Nazareth toured 6 months in support of "Close Enough to Rock Roll" and had no time to write tunes before the record company demanded another album. Quality-wise "Play N' the Game" is not as consistent the previous albums and this was the first sign of Nazareth on auto pilot. Songs like Somebody to Roll and Born to Love still sounds good, but earlier Nazareth had already showed the world their big potential and therefore the masses had great expectations for the album.
 
"Play N' the Game" was a quick album and commissioned work to keep the interest going but the album is not among their best work. The album contains 9 songs - among them 4 cover songs, which sadly suspect that this is a rush-job and the outcome an average release.
 
"Play N' the Game" was released in November 1976 only 8 months after "Close enough for Rock N'Roll" and this was Nazareth's eight LP in only 5 years.
 
The reissue comes with extensive booklet, great packaging and 2 albums on 1 disc for the price of one. Another great deal from Salvo!

Ratings:
Close Enough for Rock N' Roll: 7/10
Play N' the Game:  6/10

Written by Michael
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
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Ratings

Michael: 6.5/10

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Review by Michael

Released by
Salvo - 2010

Tracklisting
01. Telegram
02. Vicki
03. Homesick Again
04. Vancouver Shakedown
05. Born Under A Wrong Sign
06. Loretta
07. Carry Out Feelings
08. Lift The Lid
09. You're The Violin
10. Somebody To Roll
11. Down Home Girl
12. Flying
13. Waiting For The Man
14. Born To Love
15. I Want To Do Everything For You
16. I Don't Want To Go On Without You
17. Wild Honey
18. L.A. Girls
19. Good Love (b-side of I Don't Want To Go On Without You)


Style
Rock

Related links
Visit the band page

Nazareth - Official Website

Other articles
The River Sessions - (Michael)

Razamanaz - (Michael)

Loud N' Proud/Rampant/Hair of the Dog (Reissues) - (Michael)

The Newz - (Michael)

Expect No Mercy & No Mean City - (Michael)

Malice in Wonderland & The Fool Circle - (Michael)

Snaz - (Michael)

The Catch/Cinema - (Michael)

2XS & Sound Elixir - (Michael)

Snakes and Ladders + No Jive - (Michael)



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10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

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