Never Turn Your Back on a Friend

It is a very hard thing for a band to put out an album with more than a couple of good songs. Budgie does this with a furverous consistancy. Every song on this album is really good. Although "Parents" is considered the "hit" (and is, by the way, my personal favorite from this album), there is not one bomb in the group. One of the things I like about Budgie is their playfulness in the titles of many of their songs. One of their best titles (and my personal favorite title of all their songs on any of their albums) is "You're The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk". With bass player Burke Shelley's Geddy Lee-like vocals (and looks) and Tony Bourge's scathing guitar licks, along with great drummers like Pete Boot, Ray Phillips and Steve Williams, Budgie has a big underground following, but very little radio play or critical respect. I've got to give credit to bands like Metallica, Van Halen and a few others for giving Budgie a big, respectful nod by covering some of their songs. As a fan since their first album, I am grateful to MCA and Noteworthy Productions for their re-releasing all of their albums, most of which have extra songs and even a video. If you've never heard, or even heard of Budgie, pick any one of their albums and I'll bet good money that you'll buy more of them.

I'm horribly biased... in my opinion, the first five Budgie albums are among the greatest of their era. And this one has always been my favorite, which must be why my original copy is so battered. I was wary about picking up this reissue, but the CD reissue last year sounded fine, so I took the chance and I'm glad I did. It's not perfect in every sonic department, but it's close enough... and it's certainly better than the reissues of the first two albums that appeared a few years back.

Budgie!

I'll skip the review of the material - clearly one of Budgie's best albums("In The Grip of the Tyrefitter's Hand" alone justifies the purchase). What blew me away was the sound quality of the remaster vs. the original release. With most of these remasters the difference is barely perceivable, such that you wonder why you'd pay more when you already have the original CD release. Here it's money well spent, even at import price. Crank it up on a decent stereo and hear for yourself. It breathes, you can hear everything crystal clear. Why can't all remasters sound this way, and why can't all albums sound this good from the very first issue? This is the best thing since powdered milk.

The power trio from Wales lets loose with their third LP - the last to include drummer Ray Phillips. Every track is worthy. Tony's guitar work is outstanding, Burke's bass playing is melodic and powerful and Ray's stereophonic drumming is solid. This is the Breadfan to listen to. Their version of the often covered "Baby Please Don't Go" is as good as any and uniquely their own. The remaster sounds great. The bonus tracks add to the fun but the core album is the deal. These three gents stand as giants in my eyes.

Very good music

Undisputably one of the best heavy rock albums I have ever owned or listened to. This album should be considered right up there alongside Pink Floyd's "Dark side of the Moon" and Deep Purples "Machine Head" & "Made in Japan" as essential classic rock albums. Many bands claim Budgie as an influence but they are hardly known outside of their inner circle of dedicated fans. Budgie should considered among the founding fathers of classic hard rock along with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Just buy it, you can't go wrong.

Absolute classic of an album. Budgie have a style all their own, which is sometimes translated as being like Rush or Black Sabbath. Nearer Rush than Sabbath certainly, but very different to my ears. I actually prefer In For The Kill myself, but this is a cracking album up there with some of the best rock albums ever made.

This was the biggie,the breakthrough disc,housed in 'that' sleeve,a wonderous Roger Dean creation and that track,'Breadfan' what an opener and you know the Guns and Roses must have heard it and ....well listen to the opening of ' welcome to the jungle'Three albums in and confidence was sky high which allows you to title a track 'In The Grip of a Tyrefitters Hand (superb it is too0 and another 'Your The Best Thing Since Powdered Milk' and start bthat off with a drum solo,great stuff. Throw in the seminal 'Parents' listen to the Bass playing and you have a classic disc.Sound quality excellent,booklet really informative . The Bonus tracks as usual ok

This is an excellent Album! I nearly wore out my parents record player playing it! Buy it! You will not be disappointed! Fantastic Lead Guitar and Bass, Songs with Lyrics and Vocals that you can hear in your head 45 years later!! This Album is up there with Dark Side of the Moon!

Don't buy this for the extra tracks.I have the original on vinyl having backtracked to this from Bandolier in the 70's. Overall this is less even than Bandolier. It is worth it for In the Grip of a Tyre Fitter's Hand with Baby Please Don't Go, Parents and Breadfan as supporting material.The 2003 version of Breadfan is strange, it doesn't work for me. The acoustic version of Parents is interesting but that is all. A live 1973 version of Breadfan doesn't sound much different to the studio version.The reproduction onto CD is good, with a satisfying thump from bass and drums coming through as trios seem to need that at times.As regards the comments about Burke Shelly not liking heavy rock. Well, there are a lot of us doing day jobs to fund the things we really like doing, and maybe Burke was one of those people. Was Blackmore any less a rock guitarist given his supposed passion for French chamber music?

I left Budgie alone for many years after seeing them described as 'pedestrian.' They may be many things, but after hearing this album, 'pedestrian' is one of the last words I'd think of. Most of their riff-laden music rattles along at a cracking pace and the less-frenetic moments, especially on 'Riding My Nightmare,' reveal their craftsmanship.I had heard 'In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter's Hand' before and this is my favourite track, being intense and dramatic. 'Parents' is another highlight and the acoustic version is a welcome bonus. Throughout the album, however, there's so much going on. It isn't all about heavy-riffing, though they do have more licks than an affectionate dog. There are many effortless mood changes and Ray Phillips does a lot more than keep time on the skins. I have only two gripes. Firstly, 'You're The Biggest Thing...' (as a previous reviewer has noted) begins with the dreaded drum solo and never really gets off the ground. Secondly, though the production is decent, I don't think it makes the most of the band's attributes. For me, it is a tad on the light side, though it's only a minor complaint. I'll certainly be investigating their other albums.

I knew this band through Metallica's cover for Bredfan, when i was younger so i went to the source and be amazed.Wow,this album kicked my heart especially the final track 'Parents', which one of the most exciting song ever written, i can hear it and cry, such a beauty.Only 7 songs but in standart length and every one of the tracks should recieve 5 star.I think the band is so underrated and it is so unfair, i'm glad i had discovered it and i am sure that anyone who don't know them should own this record.