Vinyl Vault

In the counterintuitive world of the early 1970’s music scene, Big Star, which churned out two albums filled with radio-friendly power-pop gems, was relegated to cult status. That wasn’t enough for the band, which imploded while making their third record, only to be rediscovered and hailed in the 80’s and 90’s. Let’s take a song-by-song look at those two albums and see what the fuss was all about.

#1 Record (1972, Ardent/Stax)

Side A

  A1. “Feel”
Right off the bat, the formula is established. Heavy but melodic guitars set up Chris Bell’s screamed vocals in the verses. But the chorus is clear and pretty with sighed background vocals providing a psychedelic touch. The saxophones are a bit unusual for this group, but the whole thing is catchier than the flu.

  A2. “The Ballad Of El Goodo”
The gently plucked guitars in this one provide the first glimpse of the band’s softer side. Bell’s slower efforts always leaned to the spiritual but never turned preachy. Its message is reminiscent of The Beatles’ “Across The Universe,” albeit with more direct lyrics.

  A3. “In the Street”
Those of you who are wondering why this sounds familiar, it’s because it was renovated by Cheap Trick and used as the theme song for That 70’s Show. The song is a perfect encapsulation of the glorious boredom of youth: “Not a thing to do/But talk to you.” The guitars carry the song, gritty in the main riff, and tuneful in the breaks.

  A4. “Thirteen”
Bell takes center stage on this perfect acoustic track, which captures both the uncertain fumblings of young love and the eternal gap between generations: “Won’t you tell your Dad get off my back/Tell him what we said about ‘Paint It Black.’” Alex Chilton is the guy that comes to mind when you think of Big Star, but Bell, who left the group after this album, achieves rock immortality with the line, “Would you be an outlaw for love.” Just a beautiful song.

  A5. “Don’t Lie to Me”
Things get much louder here, what with the driving guitar attack and the angry-mob vocals, but it’s not quite the group’s strong suit.

  A6. “The India Song”
Bassist Andy Hummel takes the reins here, but this odd number is one you can skip.

Side B

  B1. “When My Baby’s Beside Me”
Chilton cut his teeth as a teenager with the Box Tops, churning out soulful vocals that belied his young age on classics like “The Letter” and “Cry Like A Baby.” That indelible voice helps push this rocker past the pedestrian with the help of another great guitar hook.

  B2. “My Life Is Right”
The pop sheen on this song, which finds the band sounding a lot like Badfinger, helps to mask the flaws, which include the trite lyrics and a refrain that feels repetitive by song’s end. Nice work by drummer Jody Stephens, though.

  B3. “Give Me Another Chance”
This is Chilton’s showcase on the album, a sadly pretty ballad that finds him begging for forgiveness for his misdeeds. The chorus is a multi-tracked vocal paradise that’s impossible to resist.

  B4. “Try Again”
Bell rips lovingly from George Harrison on this song, which finds him again looking skyward for guidance. The song never quite gets to the Harrisonian heights of grandeur to which it aspires, but it definitely has the weeping guitar bit down pat.

  B5. “Watch the Sunrise”
It’s pleasant enough, but I think this kind of earnest folk would have been better suited for Joni Mitchell than Big Star.

  B6. “St. 100/6”
This track is just under a minute and simply highlights the band’s unfailing touch with harmonies.

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