Watt (studio album)
by Ten Years After

From Jboy56 02/04/2022 09:55

I have always liked TYA, hence even this rather uneven album gets a good rating. The problem making two albums in a year almost always means a rushed product. In this case, this album proves my point. A good album, but many songs are only good embryos. The live song also proves that they had to fill the album because of the rushed timetable.

"Watt" was Ten Years After's fifth studio album and the second to be released in 1970. The group was at the height of popularity after the success of the previous album "Cricklewood Green" and the single "Love Like a Man".

"Watt" was a fine sequel to "CR", but it did not have the song that could repeat "Love Like a Man" 's success in the singles charts.

Guitarist Alvin Lee wrote, as the previous album, all the tracks (except of course live recording of "Sweet Little Sixteen). Lee's songwriting is relatively simple with strong base in the blues. There is also focus on the melodic side of the band, which is particularly reflected in the more subdued tracks like "Think About the Times," "My Baby Left Me" and the instrumental "The Band With No Name". In the more rocking end you'll enjoy "I'm Coming On," "I Say Yeah" and "Gonna Run".

All these numbers are fine examples of the group at its best. The long track "She Lies in the Morning" somehow comes out a little unfinished, and leaves you uncertain of which direction it wants to take you. The live recording seems a bit like filler and seems a little bit out of place.

Still a solid sequel to "Cricklewood Green"