This 1971 self-titled debut may stun fans who are accustomed to the hard-driving rock and gritty power
ballads that characterize
Nazareth's more popular work.
Nazareth is a diverse collection of songs that points the way towards the
pop leanings that would dominate the group's later output. Although it lacks the consistency of later albums like
Hair of the Dog and
Expect No Mercy, fans of 1970s
rock will find plenty to enjoy on this surprisingly adventurous disc. The overall sound is softer than the
hard rock the group is best known for, but that doesn't mean the album isn't lacking in good old-fashioned
rock & roll.
"Witchdoctor Woman" is a moody rocker built on a slow, spooky fuzz guitar riff, and the group's sinister cover of
"Morning Dew" transforms this
folk classic into a
hard rock epic that provides a powerful showcase for
Manny Charlton's powerful but imaginative guitar work. A lot of time is also devoted to
country-styled
ballads like
"I Had a Dream" and
"Country Girl," which set dreamy melodies against a gentle backdrop of keyboards and steel guitar. The most surprising thing about
Nazareth is the experimental, effects-laden approach used to bring the songs to life; the best example is the use of a voice box guitar for the much of the vocal on
"Fat Man," which enhances the loneliness of the lyrics. There are also touches of orchestration, the most interesting use appearing on
"Red Light Lady," a song that starts off as a steamy, guitar-heavy rocker but transforms midway through into a stately
ballad driven by a powerful string arrangement. All in all,
Nazareth tries out too many different styles to ever cohere, but it does effectively show off the chops and songwriting skills of this oft-underrated band. It is a necessary listen for the group's fans and may even win over '70s
rock fans who wouldn't normally go for the
Nazareth sound. ~ Donald A. Guarisco
