Love: Black Beauty

John Adamian on March 13, 2015

This record, recorded in 1973, wasn’t released because of a number of typical record-business flameouts, until it was reissued on vinyl over 40 years later by High Moon. Now the forgotten album gets its complete digital release. But this isn’t a lost masterpiece, and fans of Love generally view the folk-rocktinged psychedelia of 1967’s Forever Changes as their high point. By the early ‘70s, frontman Arthur Lee had steered the band in a heavy blues-rock zone, which can be a little exhausting in full flame on these songs. Flashes of eccentric brilliance still filter in here though, with elements of glam, calypso, soul and even what you might call Southern rock. One minute it sounds like Joe Walsh, the next like Shuggie Otis. Still, this is a rough and not entirely convincing batch of material. Its swagger is a little muddled, and the subdued and tender spots are its high points.

Artist: Love
Album: Black Beauty
Label: High Moon