Hey, whoa, these albums are a blast! Like Zep without the pomp, like Sabbath without the evil, like a boozier, cooler, more distorted Yardbirds who just wants to blow your face off with ROCK. Mostly bluesy stuff and covers, though that stuff's elevated thanks to the great production (dig that rhythm section! yeahhhh dancin time!!!) and terrific voice of young Rod Stewart, who has a gruffness and manliness that way too many hard rock singers (weirdly) lack. The non-bluesy stuff is real cool, too... A hilarious (given it's hard-rockin context) Nicky Hopkins instrumental, a beautiful pre-prog-piece called "Beck's Bolero," Jeff's wonderfully soothing interpretation of "Greensleeves," and a few excellent riff rockers. There's nothing too extraordinary here, and nothing you'll hear on classic rock radio... But that's what makes it great! This is enthusiastic, fun, unpretentious but not-boring rock music.
And here I thought Jeff Beck was just a big, stupid wanker.
