Young & Rich [Import]

This is easily the best Tubes album ever recorded-- smartest lyrics, best instrumentation, widest vocal range, most interesting arrangements, etc. There isn't a single unlistenable song on the LP (do they use that term anymore?) unlike a lot of other Tubes albums.

How is is possible that the studio versions of tunes like "Tubes World Tour," "Young and Rich," and "Poland Whole/Madam I'm Adam" aren't available? Insane.

The Tubes got some serious road work in after their first album, and it shows on "Young And Rich." They also had a more sympathetic producer in Ken Scott (over Al Kooper's helming of album one). Scott gave "Young And Rich" a sense of discipline, and you need go no further than "Tubes World Tour" to catch how fast the Tubes had grown under his control in the studio. A tightly wound if somewhat exaggerated account of the mayhem that trailed in the wake of The Tubes' concerts, it has a conciseness that the first album lacked.

The range displayed on "Young And Rich" is also evident on the album's next two songs. "Pimp" and "Brighter Day" feature vocals from Bill Spooner and Roger Steen, giving the individual Tubes a chance to prove they were more than Fee's backers. But Waybill (listed here as "method frontman") struts his stuff admirably. His finest moments on "Young And Rich" come with the progressive opus "Poland Whole/Madam I'm Adam" (where Fee reluctantly is cast as man one in God's creation porno-movie and Cher is his Eve) and the almost Top 40 "Don't Touch Me There" duet with Re Styles.

A highlight of their live shows, "Don't Touch Me There" sent up girl groups with a Phil Spector wall of innuendo that was at once finely crafted and hilarious. It's the kind of media satire that would be honed to perfection by their next album. In fact, the only misstep here is "Proud To be An American," which plays it too close to "What Do You Want From Life" to come off as clever. Other than that, "Young And Rich" comes highly recommended and shows The Tubes ducking the dreaded sophomore slump.

The Tubes really ARE one of the most underrated bands of the 70's!

Nothing but total, eye-popping shock appeared on my face when I heard Young & Rich for the first time. How can an album with so much creativity, uniqueness, and diversity be overlooked?

What's even *more* strange is that an album like this somehow slipped through the cracks to the point that even nowadays -a time when people reflect back to the music that contained the most unique sounds and styles- STILL isn't getting the credit it deserves.

"Tubes World Tour" reminds me of Black Sabbath's "Back Street Kid" from the Technical Ecstasy album, perhaps because of the upbeat rhythm section. "Brighter Day" seriously wouldn't be out of place on Blue Oyster Cult's Agents of Fortune, which is an album that happened to be released the same year this Tubes album was. I just get the feeling the two bands knew each other or perhaps were influenced by each other, because this song resembles the same eerie and vibrant sound BOC mastered when they went commercial in the mid 70's.

"Pimp" is just plain groovy, with some really neat lyrics. "Don't Touch Me There" is another completely unique song. It sounds like something Diana Ross & the Supremes would create, and even features female vocals that dominate much of the song. The atmosphere strangely recalls the mid 60's, delivered in a believable way. I believe a song like this will totally shock listeners, and give them a good idea the kind of daring creativity the Tubes were all about.

"Proud to Be an American" could be called a tribute to Elvis Presley in terms of the vocal delivery and the old fashioned rock style the song is aiming for. The lyrics are quite impressive too. Speaking of lyrics, "Madam I'm Adam" will surely please all lyrically-minded listeners out there.

I'm impressed and QUITE surprised with the hauntingly serious atmosphere of the album, and the surprise amount of female vocals throughout the album, many times giving an extra touch to the bands sound and making it darker and weirder. Again, another thing Blue Oyster Cult liked to experiment with. Just to be clear- this album is NOT some BOC ripoff or anything. I just can't think of another inventive band to compare the Tubes with.

The title song finishes off the album on a rather quiet note. I don't even know what to think about this song. Perhaps it's the weak point on the album, or perhaps I just haven't gotten into it yet. I don't know yet.

One thing is for sure, without a shadow of a doubt- Young & Rich is completely unique because it sounds like *nothing* else out there. Along with the debut album, Young & Rich should be your next listening choice by the greatest unknown legends ever- the Tubes.