FLAMIN' GROOVIES - Rock Juice

FLAMIN' GROOVIES  Rock Juice  CD  1992

Way over my head / Sealed with a kiss / Hold on me / Somebody's fool / Stay away / I'm only what you want me to be / Shakin' / Give it away / Thanks John / This could be the night / Ainsley's song / Little girl / When she's in town / Flyin' saucers rock 'n' roll .
Produced by Cyril Jordan & Karl Defler.
Flamin' Groovies: Cyril Jordan: vocals, guitar / George Alexander: bass, vocals / Kenny Dale Johnson & Paul Zahl: drums / Jack Johnson: guitar, vocals + ?
Although many assumed the Flamin' Groovies broke up in 1979 after their last Sire album, they merely went into a prolonged hibernation, followed by an on-again, off-again career at a much more underground level. Their releases during the '80s were all repackages and live albums, making 1992's "Rock Juice" the group's first studio album of new material in 13 years. (Honestly, it's more of a duo album than a full band effort; Cyril Jordan and George Alexander are the only credited musicians.) The production is terrific; unlike the often too-slick Sire albums, singer/songwriter Jordan's self-production wisely avoids trying to gloss up his unashamedly retro tunes. However, as always with a Groovies album, the tunes are a pretty mixed bag. Jordan has always had a way with the tropes of the British Invasion, and he's got a knack for power poppy guitar hooks, but he's a very hit-or-miss songwriter, and only about half of these 11 original songs feature a particularly memorable melody or catchy chorus. The opening, "Way Over My Head," is definitely the highlight, with the jangly "Little Girl" close behind. The covers this time out include just-okay versions of "Sealed With a Kiss," "Flying Saucers Rock and Roll," and an excellent version of the classic "This Could Be the Night," the Phil Spector/Harry Nilsson collaboration that the Modern Folk Quartet sang in the opening montage of The Big TNT Show. Rock Juice is strictly for fans, but fans will appreciate it. Allmusic

The Flamin' Groovies' first true studio album since 1979's 'Jumpin' In The Night', 1992's 'Rock Juice' is an inconsistent but mostly satisfying collection.inconsistent but mostly satisfying collection. If you've heard any Flamin' Groovies record, you have an idea of what's in store here: a number of Cyril Jordan originals which sound like they were composed in Liverpool in 1965 alongside covers of some of those songs which inspired the group. Foremost among those covers this time is Harry Nilsson's "This Could Be the Night," which Phil Spector turned into one of his most whacked-out Wall Of Sound masterpieces for the Modern Folk Quartet. Versions of "Sealed With a Kiss" and "Flying Saucers Rock and Roll" are less relevatory, but no less fun. Jordan's originals, most of which feature his distinctive 12-string Rickenbacker jingle-jangling away, sound like the sort of songs you hear on oldies radio but can't quite place. Their occasional lack of substance is part of their charm. 1st new music in a decade by S.F. cult rock band The Flamin' Groovies include: Cyril Jordan, George Alexander (vocals). Alternative Press

"...The Groovies were always ahead of their time, or harking back to another time, but never, seemingly, in the same time as the rest of the world. With "Rock Juice"  the two have finally caught up with each other...."Rock Juice", like every Groovy album before it, is perfect..." CD Universe

 "Rock Juice" is the band's first real studio album in thirteen years. Crediting only Jordan and charter bassist George Alexander (while thanking the guitarist and drummer who played with them on One Night Stand), Rock Juice is perfectly pleasant Byrds-Beatles power pop. The bulk of the songs are new Jordan lost-love originals. "Hold on Me" is a sparkling keeper; "I'm Only What You Want Me to Be" layers on the stylistic dust for a convincing time-warp to early-'60s sap balladry; the Lennon tribute, "Thanks John," is sweet in spite of its obviousness. To round things off and provide some vintage variety, the Groovies dig through the record collection to cover Bryan Hyland's "Sealed With a Kiss," the Modern Folk Quartet's Phil Spector-penned "This Could Be the Night" and Billy Riley's "Flyin' Saucers Rock'n'Roll." Trouser Press
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