Artist: Canned Heat Album: Canned Heat

Year: 1990
Duration: 44:47

A Critical Review of the Album: Canned Heat by Canned Heat

Canned Heat was one of the most innovative blues rock band of the 60s in America. The band, which was formed in Los Angeles in 1965, featured some of the most talented musicians of the era, including Bob Hite (vocals), Alan Wilson (guitar), Larry The Mole Taylor (bass), Henry Vestine (guitar), and Adolfo Fito de la Parra (drums). This band released their self-titled album, Canned Heat, in 1967, which remains one of their most celebrated works. In this blog post, we will take a critical review of the album, looking at the brief history of the band, the music genre of the album, the best songs of the album, the most innovative parts, and a critic of the album.

Canned Heat was known for their unique sound, which was a blend of blues, rock, and a little bit of boogie. The album Canned Heat was no exception to this, as it showcased the band's signature sound in all its glory. The album's music genre can be described as blues rock, with elements of boogie and psychedelic rock. The band's love for the blues is evident in all the tracks of the album, but the album's most innovative parts are found in the harmonica and guitar solos, which are not only technically impressive but also highly nostalgic.

One of the best songs on the album is On the Road Again, which was released as a single by the band. The song was written by Alan Wilson and captures the sense of freedom and wanderlust that was so prevalent in the 60s. Another gem on the album is Fried Hockey Boogie, which showcases the band's improvisational skills. The track is over eleven minutes long and is a testament to the band's live performance prowess. The band's cover of Rollin' and Tumblin' is another track that stands out, with its memorable guitar riff and Bob Hite's charismatic vocals.

The most innovative part of the album is the use of unconventional instruments such as the washboard, which gives the album a distinct sound. The band's use of different genres such as blues, rock, and boogie is another distinctive feature of the album. The album's production value is excellent, with each instrument being given ample time to shine. The harmonica and guitar solos, in particular, are noteworthy and showcase the raw talent of the band members.

Despite the album's strengths, there are a few areas where it falls short. The album is a little disjointed, with some of the tracks feeling like filler material. The song Amphetamine Annie is one such track that feels out of place on the album and lacks the cohesive sound that the other tracks have. Additionally, some of the tracks lack the emotional depth that is found in the blues genre, with the lyrics feeling a little insincere at times.

Canned Heat's self-titled album remains a celebrated work of blues rock to this day. The band's unique sound, blend of genres, and use of unconventional instruments are some of the album's strongest selling points. The album's highlights are found in the impeccable harmonica and guitar solos, as well as the memorable tracks On the Road Again, Fried Hockey Boogie, and the band's cover of Rollin' and Tumblin'. While the album has its shortcomings, it is still a must-listen for anyone interested in the history of blues rock.