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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Uncut Gems, 29 Aug 2002
A collection of demos for an album that never came to pass, "Rolled Gold" finds mod heroes The Action on top form. Even as demos, the brilliance of these songs is unmistakable. The feel here is similar to that of "Odessey & Oracle" by The Zombies. These tunes would make someone like, say, Paul Weller green with envy. For those wary of a collection of demos from 1968, fear not, as the sound quality is superb and the cohesiveness of the songs is excellent. For those in search of medodic magic that few have equalled in the last 30 years, look no further. If nothing else, "Rolled Gold" offers irrefutable proof that Reggie King is one of the great male British singers of all time. Absolutely essential.
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16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE BEST CD we've discovered in a while, 5 Nov 2003
If you like late 60s British rock-psych, tough-not-fey production/vibe, white-soulful vox, and mixing electric/acoustic elements (think: a cross among BEATLES + ZOMBIES + TRAFFIC + SMALL FACES, even a lil' BYRDS feel occasionally), you shimply MUSHT try ROLLED GOLD, which compares to the cream of these groups' output!!
-"the Ac-WHO-"!? you might well say...'Where have they been all our life?'; 'A gem beyond price has languished all these years unsavored,' we repeat nearly speechless. Not since our belated introductions to Moondog...Skip Bifferty...Billy Nicholls...Stones' "Metamorphosis"...Dantalian's Vehicule...
It can easily be yours.
We very rarely care to replay any c.d. over and over but this one warrants such: well-crafted blend of nonchalance poetry and passion, delicacy and yarbles, hooks and chops and pacing and SONGS up there with the legends. The news that this cohesive album was only DEMO'S* ('haps fortuitous in retrovision) catapults one's estimation higher still.
Singer Reg King: on ROLLED'S strength his visage deserves a spot on some Rushmore-in-Avalon alongside fellow soulful Brits Winwood/ Marriott/ Reid/ Lloyd/ Stewart...: just hoarse enough/just sweet enough (+ a 'secret': optimal use throughout of unison doubletracking...perfection.)
ROLLED GOLD'S production is on the raw/monoish/hotly-compressed side-- a flute/piano occasionally to augment the basic guitar quartet formula & keep things unexpected-- suiting the songs & performances to a Tee (just to offer another clue to their magic brew).
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Where mod meets the progressive, 14 Aug 2006
This collection of demos for a projected 1968 album captures a band of rare depth and versatility for their time. Sure, by this time every artist worth his/her salt was stretching boundaries, but in many cases imagination wasn't matched by musical expertise. The Action display here a winning combination of cohesion, vibrant rock and colourful vision, all of it achieved without sitars or gimmicky effects. They do capture the spirit of the age, but without losing that mod sharpness of their earlier music.
"Love Is All" is a perfect example, containing an almost Eastern spirituality, yet retaining its English pop feel. Titles like "Strange Roads" and "Icarus" reveal their ambition and freedom. The former is a formidable track with a marvellous combination of jangle and fuzz that hints at a Hendrix influence. The sound is beefed up with a generous dose of harmony vocals which helps to make up for the rough demo quality.
'Rolled Gold' isn't a collection of instant pop songs but it has a high curiosity quotient and grows on you quickly. A good purchase for anyone into intelligent, late 1960s pop.
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