“Strange Locomotion” by Siren - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1971Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

TJR says

Arriving at the beginning of '71 was the second and final LP from the Peel favourites who lined up: Kevin Coyne (guitar, vocals), Nick Cudworth (piano, guitar), Dave Clague (bass, guitar), Mick Gratton (guitar) and Tat Meager (drums). “Some Dark Day” is an early highlight, addressing the institutional violence of school days: “I believe that school taught me to remember sticks and lashes. Though people tell me school was nice, all flags and toothy flashes”. The man speaks the truth. The acoustic blues of “Soon” is another side one goodie, man's looking to vanquish the winter's sadness: “Cause soon, you're going to be beaming, baby, Soon, you're gonna be red and brown, You're gonna smile for me just like you smiled before”. The press release talks of a third album, but this never came to be as the group faded away without fanfare:

Siren are essentially KEVIN COYNE, DAVE CLAGUE and NICK CUDWORTH, augmented from time to time by a drummer and a lead guitar. KEVIN COYNE is co-writer of almost all the many songs of the group. His vocals are strange ever-changing flights of imagination, sometimes hard, cynical and 'edgy', sometimes soft and gentle and often good-time rocking fun. His talent is rare and impossible to classify. NICK CUDWORTH plays mainly piano that stomps and rocks and reminds you that music can still be joyous. He co-writes much of the group's material and designs album covers for the group and other artists. DAVE CLAGUE plays mainly bass guitar and produces the group's albums. He is the quiet business head of Siren and gained a considerable chunk of his experience on the road with the infamous Romeo Dog. Dave is the third writer of the group. SIREN's first album was ecstatically received by just about four people; Rolling Stone, International Times, Jac Holzman - president of Elektra Records, and John Peel. The public ignored it. Dandelion were thus encouraged to make two further albums, the first of which, 'Strange Locomotion' was made available in January 1971. It is exquisite.

The Jukebox Rebel
24–Apr–2016

Tracklist
A1 [03:22] 6.5.png Siren - Relaxing With Bonnie Lou (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A2 [03:32] 7.7.png Siren - Some Dark Day (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A3 [04:07] 6.2.png Siren - Hot Potato (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth, Dave Clague) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly
A4 [03:45] 7.4.png Siren - Soon (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
A5 [04:27] 5.6.png Siren - Gigolo (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
A6 [03:03] 4.5.png Siren - I’m All Aching (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Songwriter
B1 [03:00] 5.7.png Siren - Strange Locomotion (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth, Dave Clague) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
B2 [03:17] 6.4.png Siren - Shake My Hand (Kevin Coyne) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B3 [02:20] 6.0.png Siren - Lonesome Ride (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B4 [07:37] 5.3.png Siren - Fetch Me My Woman (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth, Dave Clague) Blues Rock / Soul Rock
B5 [02:50] 5.8.png Siren - Fat Moaning Minnie (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth) Blues / Rhythm n Blues
B6 [02:35] 5.2.png Siren - Squeeze Me (Kevin Coyne, Nick Cudworth, Dave Clague) Rock n Roll / Rockabilly

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