siLLy puPPy
Starting out covering Rush and Led Zeppelin, this New Orleans band had a minor hit on MTV with “Who's Behind The Door,” a kind of philosphical Pink Floyd meets Led Zep tune. The album wears its influences prominantly on its sleeves but has an interesting sound all its own. Usually the make-or-break deal with this band is if you can tolerate mainman songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist and vocalist Randy Jackson's falsetto. I personally grew to like this album a lot just by listening to it over and over at one point.
The downside to this album is that it is uneven. It ranges from the philosphical crossover prog to more pop oriented bluesy hard rock. Great muscianship, well crafted catchy songs and extended jams proved they were beyond just being imitators. Overall a decent debut from a power trio who managed to forge their own sound from the beginning.