Nutz – Hard Nutz [Rock Candy Remastered+6 bonus] 2018

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As requested, the Rock Candy Records ‘Remastered & Reloaded’ reissue of NUTZ albums, officially released for the first time on CD. If NUTZ doesn’t ring a bell on you, they were a little sensation in UK during the Seventies, and in the ’80s the band changed its name to RAGE delivering 3 fantastic melodic hard rock albums.

“Hard Nutz” is the third album from this British band, on this reissue including 6 bonus tracks.

Nutz had been building a solid reputation in the UK as one of the best rock bands emerging during the mid-seventies. By constant touring and two previous well received albums under their belt, the band had secured a solid fan base and strong support in the media, helping to position them as an act to watch for bigger and better things.
Under normal circumstances that would have all been well and good but the times they were a changing. The emergence of punk rock looming over their shoulders suddenly turned a very sunny outlook into something altogether gloomier.

This situation couldn’t have been more unfortunate as “Hard Nutz”, the band’s third studio album, was unquestionably the pinnacle of their creative achievement thus far.
It was a record that fully refined their objectives by bringing not only their sound and material into a fully cohesive package but also positioned them as real contenders.
Sadly, as we now know, the punk climate was not conducive to the kind of traditional hard rock that Nutz had made their own.

Featuring new member Kenny Newton on keyboards, “Hard Nutz” was greeted with an enthusiastic reception by their devoted fan base. Produced by Gary Lyons and John Sinclair (who would that same year produce the multi-million selling debut from Foreigner) the album was overwhelmed by the emergence of punk, leaving them to flounder in the mainstream.

‘Tis a pity, as tracks such as ‘Seeing Is Believing’, ‘I know The Feeling’, ‘From Here To Anywhere’ and the pre NWOBHM gallop of ‘Wallbanger’ are some of the best songs the band ever recorded.

The last studio album from Nutz shows a strong lyrical growth from their sophomore effort, and is also improved by the presence of keyboard player Kenny Newton.
The band turns in their usual bluesy boogie rock with progressive elements, but with a bit more hard rock vigor and nuance than usual. There are some interesting transitions between songs and some genuinely inventive arrangements.

1. SEEING IS BELIEVING
2. I KNOW THE FEELING
3. LOSER
4. FROM HERE TO ANYWHERE
5. WALLBANGER
6. PUSHED AROUND
7. BEAST OF THE FIELD
8. SICK AND TIRED
9. DOWN ON MY KNEES
10. ONE MORE CUP OF COFFEE.
BONUS TRACKS (LIVE):
11. SEEING IS BELIEVING
12. LOSER
13. PUSHED AROUND
14. ONE MORE CUP OF COFFEE
15. BEAST OF THE FIELD
16. WALLBANGER

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