70's British hard rock at its very best
This album has been submitted by a user and is not included in any edition of the book.
Piledriver is the fifth studio album by the English rock band Status Quo, released in 1972. It was the first to be produced by the group themselves, and their first on the Vertigo label. It peaked at number five in the UK and included several favourites that would be featured frequently in live concerts. The album was the first one the group recorded after they had switched labels from Pye to Vertigo Records. When recording for Pye, the studio staff had complained about the volume as it would overload the input levels on the recording desk and distort, but for Piledriver, they could bring their touring gear into IBC Studios and record live at stage levels, giving them a much stronger sound. The front cover showed a live shot of the band in their classic "heads down, no-nonsense boogie" mode. It was the first album to credit Francis Rossi under his real name; when signed to Pye he had been called "Mike".
70's British hard rock at its very best
Some lesser known songs from Status Quo. The first song had me thinking it would sound all alike. But to my surprise, this album was more diverse than expected
This was nearly impossible for me to find (YouTube Music or Apple Music). Was able to piece together YouTube videos in a makeshift playlist to be able to listen to the songs, and even 1 or 2 was only able to find live versions. In any event, it was fine. Typical blues rock of the early '70s. I would have rated this much higher in my youth when I "discovered" my dad's Led Zeppelin LPs and went down that rabbit hole. But for now, it's no longer my favorite genre, but was still decent. 3.5/5, but rounding down for the difficulty and time spend finding the songs (for me).
Milquetoast hard-rock.
As a proud holder of sometimes-anonymizing long hair, I am entitled to mock the cover a bit. Because it's truly all anonymous longhair. The band foolishly saves their liveliest performance for last. Nothing about Piledriver is bad, but it is entirely paint-by-numbers British blues (oh, how I wish for an alternate spelling there) and recorded middling to boot.
Garbage can classic rock. Ai generated classic rock.
Status "If you are good at one thing, and enjoy doing it, why the hell not keep doing it" Quo. Again, I'm reminded of how well suited this bands' name is. Instantly recognizable riffs and sound, be it very poished and sanding off any potential sharp edge. They nearly surprised me with track 4 - 'Unspoken Words'. An almost late-Beatlesque bluesy mid-tempo song which I find a lot more interesting than the rest of the tracks on this album. Throw in an obligatory Doors cover, and we're done here.
Something for everyone, so to speak
All of the Youtube comments for the tracks on this LP seem to be Boomers talking about drinking wine and rocking out to this album, and that about sums it up – dated, guitar-noodling blues rock for old people.
A bit of everything in British 70s rock. There's some glam, Beatlesesque, power pop, heavy metal, and jam. I appreciate the diversity in styles and how hard they go. Most of their songs do sound like they're trying to imitate more popular bands as closely as possible without understanding the charm that those bands have, coming off as a bit ingenuine. No standout tracks, but I found myself liking something out of almost every track.
The Quo! First band I ever saw live and dear to my heart. This is old school, heads down rocking, and I enjoyed it a lot
A good almost instrumental classic rock album?!?! 4
Seemed like pretty straight-ahead blues-adjacent rock of its era. Is it the real foundational stuff better known acts are actually derivative of? Somebody knows, not me. Some interesting musical detours among the standard blues with extra drums and distortion. Lyrics nothing to merit much attention.
It's good straightforward rock and roll. Nothing wrong with that, in fact I enjoy it. At the same time, it's pretty simplistic and not much about it is unique or groundbreaking. 3 stars.
Pretty good rock, but what does it bring that wasn't already brought?
Fun enough band. 3/5.
Entertaining
Not all Quo rockers, some nice slow blues and a hint of their 60s psychedelic past. Enjoyable and fun in the same vein as the Slade album from the book.
This was a fun listen. Riffy and bluesy with occasional moments of loveliness. The unexpected diversions into other musical styles are what make this album work. Fave Songs: All the Reasons, Unspoken Words, Paper Plane, Big Fat Mama, A Year
If I grew up in the 70s I could see how I’d really enjoy this deeper cut band of diverse rock. Over time it seems they’ve become more unknown and would definitely be considered underrated. They don’t do anything that’s too crazy or different but this album has a few different styles of rock that show the bands talent. Overall it was pretty good and unfortunate this band isn’t more popular. 6.7/10
This is what my dad's garage sounds like while he's drinking tequila and folding laundry.
Nothing special
Bar band blues rock.
If I can’t stream it on Apple Music it’s a one them the rules
Second rate rock and roll one star