Steppenwolf - Steppenwolf the Second

Medley on second side pre-dates Abbey Road by one year

This album displayed the diversity and ambition of a very distinctive band definitely of their time. I was captivated by the medley on the second side that I seem to recall John Kay saying in an interview at the time was intended to trace the history of rock and roll up to that point, starting with the blues origins, accelerating with Leslie speaker aural tricks and funky Beatles 'Taxman' style guitar. In fact, when I heard Abbey Road the next year I was struck by the fact that the album was structured almost exactly like this one - first side being standalone songs, then two standalone songs at the beginning of Side 2 followed by a suite that follows on to the ending. I don't know if any of the Beatles had heard this album when they assembled their masterpiece but I think it's at least an interesting coincidence that the albums are so similar in that way. I still think the Beatles left Steppenwolf and just about everyone else at the time in the dust but nevertheless I give Steppenwolf credit for their ambition. Before this album I had only heard a few tracks such as their hits, "Born to be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride". Those were tremendous songs but when I heard this album I concluded that they were more than a band that just churned out hit singles. August 13, 2008

Classic memories of my Dearest HIPPY Uncle

I have bought this cd twice!, had 2 LP versions WORN OUT!, and I can remember being 7 and driving around D.C in U.Ds '70 Gold Ford Fairlane, like it was yesterday. Of course he rolled that;{along with other nature gifts}, then HAD to get his famous *Orange* VW wagon.. The music still is
so good, the memories so sweet!. *28* was my first crush song!... Just buy it Comrades...Only 1 thing last longer than music....Memories!
Merry Christmas to ALL....... Goodnight December 26, 2007

I like the Second first!

Though their debut was a smash this was always a better album and the album to own if you don't already. Not many bands has anti-drug songs in the 60s other than Paul Revere and the Raiders or Iron Butterfly that come to mind.
John Kay claims his band even stayed clear of pot. "Don't Step on the Grass Sam" should be the anti-drug anthem of the world. My Father had this on LP and it changed the way I think and feel and love about music. I first listened to this album at age 13 and at 31 I am still listening to this as well as everything else in the 60s. I got it on CD a while back and enjoyed it again even though it was not remastered and had tape fuzz. It is still worth owning on CD remastered or not. I mean where are you going to find an LP of this in prime shape anyway. Pass this on to generation to generation. It was one of my Dads favorite albums and one of my favorite also. December 4, 2007

Great Memories

Well folks, whenever I hear this album, I remember the first time I heard it while in the US Army Signal Brigade out in Thailand during late 1968. Everyone out there loved this album, and I will bet that anyone out there now who was out there then would embrace this album without any doubt now. All the songs are well crafted in both the music and lyrics. The guitar work is purely hard rock -and these guys knew just how to play it right. Overall, there isn't one song on this album that I did not like - in fact, I still play the CD version in my car - my wife likes it too!

So get out there and check it out. Really good stuff by a band that should all get together again in the line-up that made this album. June 8, 2007

Steppenwolf the Second

I purchased this album in the early sixties and loved it then, but I love this CD even more. Thanks. February 1, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...