Amazon.co.uk Review
Sixties Britpoppers the Small Faces begat the Faces, the reshaped 1970s version. Of course, the latter-day incarnation of the band was best known for its lead singer, Rod Stewart, and his unique, squalling voice. The players, meanwhile, displayed Stones-ish sensibilities, which makes sense given that guitarist Ron Wood left the group to join Jagger, Richards, and the boys. Faces didn't release a great number of albums, but during their tumble on the rock charts, they made some truly great songs, several of which are found on this, their consensus classic. "Stay with Me" sounds like a bar room brawl set to music, and "Miss Judy's Farm" puts one in mind of a garage band that got lucky and found a studio and a (somewhat) sober producer.
A Nod... is the most representative recording of a band that helped shape hard rock and punk for years to come.
--Lorry Fleming
CD Description
When this was released in 1971, the Faces also released LONG PLAYER (following the dropping of "Small" from the band's name) and frontman Rod Stewart released the seminal EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY. The three-album output was especially remarkable for the Faces, as the band was more known for skirt-chasing and carousing than recording music. NOD found the Faces fusing together a grittier blues and soul sound than on past efforts, which were marked by a rather modish sound and Stewart's then-folkier leanings.
The group includes enough heartfelt ruminations to add a sentimental edge to the otherwise rip-roaring mix of material. Among the latter class of songs are a shambling cover of Chuck Berry's "Memphis, Tennessee" and "Stay With Me", the Faces' only hit and the quintessential groupie kiss-off. Stewart's talents as a balladeer are no less effective, with songs like the poignant "Love Lives Here" and the Ronnie Lane-penned duet "Debris", an unheralded classic every bit as emotionally devastating as "Wild Horses". Lane's singing and songwriting also shine on the barroom anthem "Last Orders Please" and the whimsically swaggering "You're So Rude", a song about getting caught in acompromising position with a sassy girlfriend during a family visit.