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The Groovies disappeared into the wilds of Europe after Teenage Head,
which barely earned them a cult following over here. They went through
a few personnel changes, honed their sound to an even finer point, and
developed a few more musical smarts. Then came Shake Some Action, the
debut of the Flamin' Groovies' Mark II, where they rocked out British-style
for most of it (while still acknowledging their American roots), only
louder and more passionately than any British Invasion band had played
since 1964. The sound was a complete anachronism in the mid-'70s, but
it got them noticed and earned them a cult following. The guitar sound
is straight 1964 Beatles (a la "Not a Second Time") alternating
with Kinks material of the same era, the vocals are the plaintive wailing
of lovesick young rock gods, and the effect is stunning even 20 years
on. Maybe the greatest British Invasion album since 1964. Reissued by
Australia's AIM Records on CD, and well worth tracking down as an import.
(by Bruce Eder, AMG)
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