Having lost Steve Marriott, the other members go looking for a replacement singer, and were probably after someone who did both. Instead, they ended up with two survivors from the Jeff Beck Group who weren't half handy.
Hughesy's assessment: While there's nothing that was new or groundbreaking there (not at the time, and certanly not forty-plus years later) I don't think anyone was expecting it. Rod Stewart had a solo career that needed nurturing and a backing band, everyone else needed a paying gig, and Ronnie Wood ended up laying down some quite tasty slde guitar. No classics, but some tasty playing and strong hints of potentiall. Acceptable.
Track listing: Track listing: Wicked Messenger; Devotion; Shake, Shudder, Shiver; Stone; Around the Plynth; Flying; Pineapple and the Monkey; Nobody Knows; Looking out the Window; Three Button Hand Me Down
2015 Reissue bonus tracks: Behind The Sun; Mona The Blues; Shake, Shudder Shiver [BBC Session]; Flying [Take 3]; Nobody Knows [Take 2]
Almost there:
Worthwhile:Wicked Messenger;
Solid:Devotion; Shake, Shudder, Shiver; Stone; Around the Plynth; Flying; Pineapple and the Monkey; Nobody Knows; Looking out the Window; Three Button Hand Me Down
2015 Reissue bonus tracks: Behind The Sun; Mona The Blues; Shake, Shudder Shiver [BBC Session]; Flying [Take 3]; Nobody Knows [Take 2]
Could have been better:
Approach with caution:
Clunkers:
Skip:
Avoid at all costs: