I had no idea who this band was when I picked up this LP, though I had seen their vinyl around in the past. After reading about them on allmusic (right now) it becomes abundantly clear that you gotta pay the bills and if you try hard enough you can make a living out of the music business.
Allmusic: "Among rock listeners, Exile is remembered as the one-hit wonder responsible for 1978's number one smash "Kiss You All Over." However, in the early '80s, the Kentucky-bred band reinvented itself as a country outfit — and a hugely successful one at that. Exile was actually formed all the way back in 1963 in Berea, KY".
Exile lasted as a working unit from 1963 -1993 which is pretty good for a career … idn't it? The band was then revived around 1996 for the oldies circuit and released some more albums … and … they are still around.
There are some local bands from Brisbane who could match those lengthy years but in defence of Exile they had a # 1 US single in 1978 ( Kiss You All Over), ten (!) #1 country singles between 1983-87 and four Top 10 (including 2 #1s) country albums.
They must be doing something right.
But then again middle America is big.
Exile over their career tried rock 'n' roll, blues boogie, pop, country rock, country, southern rock, neo disco, MOR, soft rock and a couple of other hybrid styles no doubt. I am usually suspicious about musical changes in a band, especially when it's mid-stream and at a whim – though here I have to admit that the styles this band have tackled are out of the same stable (only just though) and that they have just adapted, apparently, their sound to what was the dominant sound around at the time. Is this good ? It is when Paul Revere and the Raiders do it but here I don't know because I haven't heard enough of their work.
This was Exile's first album from 1973 and it is a mix of east-coast country rock, laid back southern blues boogie, southern rock, and MOR soft rock. There are a handful of odd covers amongst the originals. The band is tight, but not surprisingly given the musical chairs being played, there is no feeing of a cohesive whole and the music is strangely unmemorable.
Does this mean it's bad? No … just unmemorable.
Rewind: I've just listened to the album a second time … some may call this album eclectic .I call it crap. I'd like to change the earlier question regarding whether this was bad from "no" to "yes" – there is too much of an eye on the $ resulting in a musical schizophrenia.
The best I can say, based on just this album, is that Exile are a working band and they may not be artisans but they are competent tradesmen albeit ones who you have to keep an eye on to make sure they don't rip you off.
Tracks (best in italics)
- Devil's Bite – he doesn't bite so much as yawn. Written by Todd Rundgren!
- Ridin' Thumb – a Seals and Crofts song.
- You're My Woman – pure MOR though admittedly well sung in a rustic sort of way. Like Tom Jones with a corncob up his date hole.
- Mabel – white country funk with a bit of boogie.
- Just One Victory – soft rock drek. Another track written by Todd Rundgren! Bill Traut produced this album – he also produced the Nazz which probably explains the Rundgren songs which are from his solo albums.
- Jesus Is Just Alright – what the fark ? Prog rock meets Christian music.
- Please Be There – The Partridge Family gone country funk?
- Believe – a up-tempo soft rock ballad with Christian rock overtones with the schmaltziest lyrics this side of The Carpenters. Shoot me.
- Do What You Think You Should – a horn driven funky country soul … lame.
- Hold Tight, Woman – Lyric: "Baby I'm a playing rock n roll" – b,b,b,b,bad rock 'n' roll boogie with a lot of in,n,n,n,n uendo. Dumb enough to be bearable.
And …
I wasn't sure if I would like this album …and I don't …. sell.
Chart Action
Nuttin no where
Sounds
You're My Woman
attached
Jesus Is Just Alright
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-5vDrgpIZI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-5vDrgpIZI
Hold Tight, Woman
attached
Others
the hit:
Bio
Website
Picture
aaahhh fashion … just goes to show that everyone in the 60s looked cool even if they were really nerds …
Exile in the 60s
![[exile-exiles67.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_dN12_YBg0IE/Sp0kBj39_MI/AAAAAAAAHJs/U0jhxltlKPQ/s1600/exile-exiles67.jpg)
and in the early 80s
(originally posted: 10/10/2010)
what Frank is listening to #178 – EXILE – Self Titled – (RCA) – 1973
