What Doesn’t Kill You… (Rainman)
by Scott Hefflon
Legendary heavy metal/psychedelic band from late-’60s San Francisco’s first studio album in over a decade. 2/3rd of the original line-up, including vocalist/bassist Dickie Peterson and drummer Paul Whaley, and joining in the nostalgia trip is guitarist Duck McDonald, who’s been part of the band on and off for 20 years. And now the bad news/expected limitations: Dickie’s older than yer Dad, and his vocals don’t have the chesty umph they used to have, and with stoner rock roarers like Monster Magnet and Wolfmother and rockers like Soundgarden to compete with – while Blue Cheer obviously pre-dated them and influenced them – present day Blue Cheer simply sounds old and dated and straining to toe the line. Get their old vinyl, along with some Iron Butterfly, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple for 99 cents, toke heavily, and kick back with friends and marvel at some great, heavy guitar rock that, while often kinda droning and stoner dull, made metal possible.
(www.rainmanrecords.com)