Golden Earring - To the Hilt

Import remastered reissue of the long running Dutch rock act's 1975 album that's out-of-print domestically. Album Description

Good album, but they've done better

`To the Hilt' would probably have been considered a re-hash of Golden Earring's "Moontan" album if the more progressive "Switch" had not been released between them. This album really belongs to Robert Jan Stips and his keyboards and synthesizer work. On "Moontan" he provided punctuation for the band, and on "Switch" the keyboards and guitars complimented each other nicely. That balance is gone here, and at times it seems like George Kooymans - who's fantastic guitar work dominated the previous albums - had become a sideman for this project.

That doesn't mean that `To the Hilt' is unsatisfactory - it's just different. "Switch" needed a few listens before I warmed to it and so did this album. The one song that jumped out at first listen was "Sleepwalkin'", a peppy Radar-love style song with vocals being delivered over a drum-and-bass backdrop, giving in to full instrumentation on bridges and choruses. "Violins" is an extended track that morphs from a slow, funky beat into mainstream rock, and then finishes off with a string section leading over a somewhat jazz-tinged chord progression. These two songs are worth the price of the album alone (although `Violins' does go on a bit too long).

`Facedancer' is the most unorthodox song here. Basically it's Barry Hay singing over a guitar that's plucking the same melody he's singing on the verses. It's quite interesting and works very well, but some people will probably hate it. `To the Hilt' juxtaposes depressing lyrics over familiar upbeat music.

`Why Me', `Nomad', and `Latin Lightning' are the more mediocre cuts on the album, the latter being the best of the three. While the band does a good job of `hinting' at Latin music, it doesn't sound genuine. Still, the tune proceeds along quite nicely until it abruptly slows down for the last minute or two (think "Candy's Going Bad"). The other two songs simple plod on a bit too long for their own good. I think the album could have been stronger by lopping off a minute or two from all three of these songs and giving us one more song instead.

Overall, in the scope of their entire collection, this would be on my `Must Have' list, but it'd be nearer to the bottom of that list. RJ Stips synthesizer would be replaced by the slide guitar work of Eelco Gelling on the next two studio releases (and a live album), so they never returned to the sound of this album, making it a worthwhile acquisition.

April 7, 2008

Great Album!!

I've always thought that this was a great album! I was going Golden Earring nuts at around the turn of the 80's after hearing the "Moontan" album. All I knew before that was the edited version of "Radar Love" and its b-side, "Just Like Vince Taylor." (Great song!!!) Their albums were getting a little difficult to get, but I was keeping my eyes peeled for any of them. Their mid 70's stuff seemed to be allowed to go out of print quickly.
When I played this album, I was not one bit surprised to have another great Earring album in my collection. George, Rinus and Cesar had some great rhythms going on this album. "Why Me" is a solid, exciting opening tune. I love the rhythm guitar in this one! "Facedancer" has an incredibly cool acoustic guitar riff at the beginning along with simple percussion (sounds almost like someone tapping on an acoustic guitar). Once everything kicks in, an electric guitar takes over the riff and some fantastic drumming ensues. What I find most striking in "To the Hilt" is the lyrics. "Nomad" is my least favorite track, but again, it starts with a really cool set of chords along with a really hooky rhythm (It makes it hard to stop listening). "Sleepwalking" was always one of my two favorite cuts from this album. After the lines: "Across the bridge/Around the poop/A fire escape/Won't hesitate," there's a pause, and then some of the best drumming I've ever heard starts up. I don't know how to describe it except to say that it sounds as though the drums are stuttering, and he wraps them around the timing of the rhythm beautifully. It's really masterfully done! Again, very cool chords on the rhythm. Very solid, fabulous track!!! Another of my two favorite tracks, "Latin Lightning" starts with some great chords that hook you immediately. After they sing: "You'll be in a daze all night just watchin' latin lightning," they settle in to a really great rhythm and play on it a bit. They neither go overboard with its length, nor play the section too heavily. Extremely well done! "Violins" opens, yet again, with a great, irresistible rhythm guitar that really has a great groove. After the line: "Listen to the screech repeatin'/Watch the flags go slack," the music pauses and a set of 4 really neat e-chord variations start, first on the guitar, then the bass, then the drums come in, keyboard, and then violins! Lots of 'em! I like the lyrics throughout the album also.
Great album!! February 10, 2005

Sleepwalking is a gem

Sleepwalking is a great song that sounds like a slightly more mellow Radar Love. It has a great driving funky bass, and some great jazzy saxophone playing at the end. It sounds great, and the version on Second Live is faster and also terrific. Violins is the dud of the album. Nomad is a nice, long, relaxing nighttime song. All in all, this isn't an album to rock out with (except for Sleepwalking), it's more of a mellow, jazzy relaxing album. January 30, 2005

Last Great Album Of A Great Band

I think this album is the the last of a great period. This period ended with this album and "Switch" both from '75.

This album is not "Moontan", "Seven Tears", "Golden Earring" or "Together".

It's still Golden Earring that's for sure. But this album is a bit different. Instead of focus on rock 'n roll with a psychedelic touch, this album is..

Well you have to listen to it. If you are into Golden Earring buy it. If You haven't heard them yet. Try one of the four i mentioned above. January 13, 2005

70's jazz/rock with synthesizers

This is a great 70's album that's a bit more mellow with a jazzy, nightime feel mixed in. The best track is Sleepwalking, a jazzy rock song with a driving bass. The song sounds a bit like Radar Love, so if you like RL you'll probably like this song. It has some synthesizers and saxophones mixed in at the end. The version of Second Live is great as well, leaving out the jazz feel and going for a faster, more straight up rock sound. You should hear both versions, really. I also like Nomad. It's not a song to rock out to, it's a mellow, dreamy song that is great to unwind and relax with. I love the sound effects in the middle of the song that make it sound like a cowboy is out riding under the stars. It's mesmerising, even though I usually prefer to rock out. Latin Lightning is possibly the jazziest song on the album with some great sax and electric guitar. Why Me and Facedancer are great songs, even though they're really not my thing. My two least favorite tracks are To The Hilt (the Live version is much better, but it's just a bit to much country dance for me) and Violins. December 21, 2004

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