Bread

by Bread

Overview

Bread is seen as nothing but a wimp-pop band -- an impression which is justified, but it wipes out the fact that the group was quite good and rather slyly diverse in its early days, particularly on its debut, Bread. This is effectively the birth of Californian soft rock, as David Gates and compatriots blend the folk-rock of the Byrds and Buffalo Springfield with a distinctly British melodicism and a streak of sentimentality borrowed from McCartney. The result is a modest little gem, with more strange turns than you'd expect from their reputation -- including soaring falsettos, spiraling melodies, rough guitars, and, best of all, a set of tightly-written, appealing songs. Only "It Don't Matter Me," which became a hit after the second album, ranks among their best-known material, but each of the songs illustrates the exceptional craftsmanship of not just Gates, but Robb Royer and James Griffin. As such, this may not seem like the record for casual fans, if judged just on the track listing, but it will convince the pop fans that may have been doubters. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/12/2021
Label:	Wounded Bird
UPC:	0664140604124

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bread   Primary Artist
Jim W. Gordon   Drums
David Gates   Bass,Organ,Piano,Viola,Guitar,Violin,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion,Synthesizer,Guitar (Bass),Moog Synthesizer,Piano (Electric)
Robb Royer   Bass,Flute,Piano,Guitar,Vocals,Recorder,Percussion,Guitar (Bass),Piano (Electric)
Ron Edgar   Drums
James Griffin   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards,Percussion
Jim Gordon   Drums

Technical Credits

Bryan Rackleff   Design
Coco Shinomiya   Art Direction
William S. Harvey   Art Direction,Cover Art Concept
Ed Caraeff   Photography
Tim Hallinan   Composer
Bill Inglot   Remastering
Ken Perry   Remastering
Barry Alfonso   Liner Notes
Cliff Owens   Composer
David Gates   Composer,Group Member
Robb Royer   Composer,Recording,Group Member
Aaron Schroeder   Composer
Bruce Botnick   Engineer
Ted Myers   Reissue Coordination
Jac Holzman   Producer,Production Supervisor
James Griffin   Composer,Group Member
Bread   Producer
Abe Gurvin   Cover Art