Monday, March 20, 2023

Arrows – The Complete Collection (Cherry Red)


 

Arrows were a British glam band from the mid 70s.  This trio released one album, and several singles before calling it a day.  Their big claim to fame is I Love Rock N Roll single.  Yes, it’s the same single that was heard by Joan Jett.  Jett of course played around with the tempo, applied a new level of aggression, and made a huge hit.  Arrows however were a very cool band with places to go.

First Hit was the only album Arrows released.  It’s a good record, but you can clearly see a band that is trying to find an identity.  The songs vary in styles.  There is rock, pop, glam, and even a bit of gospel.  It’s actually quite amazing how spread-out Arrows were, but at this point there really isn’t one common denominator that unites these tracks with a certain style.

The album and the singles are still a rewarding listen, and things can get very nostalgic at times.  For this writer, 1970s happened to be childhood years, and the radio played a lot of music like Arrows.  Good memories were attached to those times, and while some songs were hard to remember, the sounds quickly signal the vibe.  Having such background makes appreciating Arrows very easy.  This is fun record from a very special time in rock music that will never repeat.

The Complete Collection is a beautifully put together set.  The sounds on both discs are great, there are plenty of bonus tracks, and a great booklet with photos and memorabilia.  The booklet is very informative, and there is some surprising information, but giving it all away here wouldn’t be fair.  This set has a very special charm, and will grow with each listen.

Mark Kadzielawa

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