7 YEAR ITCH — Ooh Ya Ha (review)

7 YEAR ITCH — Ooh Ya Ha album cover Demo · 1981 · NWoBHM Buy this album from MMA partners
2.5/5 ·
Certif1ed
Lovely A Side, "Oo Ya Ha", with the recurring sentiment "Spend all my money getting out of my head". Wonderful sonic tectures with an underlying guitar buzz and rolling bass/drum feel. Not the most exceptionally metallic song ever, but instantly likeable, soothing and friendly-sounding. Don't let that description put you off - it's well worth a listen, but you won't add it to your metal collection instantly...

The other A Side, "I Wanna Make Ya", is a darker, more angular affair, sounding like it might have been written by a different band, with, as has been observed, some Rush leanings - and, in those harmonies, maybe a little Yes influence, if you can imagine a more punky flavoured Yes. I know I can. There are even a few touches where Genesis spring to mind - the influence that the Neo-Prog movement had on NWoBHM, and vice versa, is not to be underestimated.

Both sides show considerable flair in writing and arranging catchy, well-crafted pop/rock, and it's a shame that this band didn't go on to record more.

There is another single, somewhere in the depths of someone's 45's collection, which predates this one - but I haven't been able to track it down. Hearing this has made me decidedly keen to hear it. Any takers?

2 and a half stars, because I wouldn't really recommend this to a metal fan - except as a guilty pleasure. It's OK - we've all got them... and this is now a confirmed one of mine :o)
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