Sunday, March 29, 2009

Re-Upped: Locust - Playgue (1976)

This extremely obscure proto arena rock act sprang from Iowa in the early 70's, becoming legendary in their home state while remaining unknown just about everywhere else. Their local fame brought them to Annuit Coeptus Records, who issued their sole release, "Playgue" in 1976. Though the band regularly landed supporting slots for many of the bigger acts touring through Iowa, they never managed to break through to very many other regions outside of the midwest.

So what about the music? Taking on a sound remiscent of Morningstar or early Styx, the band assembles an interesting batch of songs that seem complex in places, yet underdeveloped. With capable vocals, quirky melodies and pitch perfect harmonies, they certainly had the chops to do something spectacular. As it stands, though, "Playgue" is an unremarkably pleasant affair through and through. With lackluster production that sounds more like something engineered in the 60's, alot of the music here suffers from bad sonics. Had the production values been more contemporary, perhaps Locust could have developed their sound more elaborately. The band did split a few years later, frustrated by lack of visibility and not much is known about the members subsequent activities, though bassist Court Hawley would end up in macabre theatrical metal act, Impaler, almost a decade later.

Newly ripped by me from Mint vinyl. This is a huge sonic upgrade from the original posting. In any case, enjoy this HQ vinyl rip and sink your teeth into one of Iowa's few contributions to the AOR genre. Hope you dig it!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanx for your nice work cleaning the files, it sounds more crisp then the originals that i sent you. Had them as mp'3 for a few years now but i'm no soundguru so i never tried to do it myself.

And i hope that you liked the Rockicks-set also, altho they don't fall under the FM/AOR category.

'Orchman'

Anonymous said...

For many years I had a promo single for Hesiation off this album, never knew the album name, bless you for posting it, you are right, not great, but I do love that song.

Shaughn

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear Hesitation again after all these years, you have great taste.

Shaughn

Residentevil2 said...

Been keeping an eye out for these guys had their selftitled at one time many moons ago.Thanks.

Anonymous said...

thanks for a new copy, I do have the Rubicon album, clean. I will try to get a copy to you.

Anonymous said...

Locust was a great live act. Excellent musicianship and vocals. Keith Brown was particularly impressive.

Anonymous said...

I am transferring a bunch of albums to CD/itunes, and came across this one. I had never heard of them before, but they aren't half bad. The vocals are especially clear. Too bad this is their only album..