ARGENT In Deep/Nexus
From page 74 of Classic Rock Magazine December 2005
Edsel God really did give rock and roll to them.
Never more than a footnote in the history of British prog, Argent were among the most consummate bands of the early 1970s. With keyboard maestro Rod Argent and guitarist Russ Ballard (the man on whom Rainbow and Ace Frehley later relied for hits) especially worthy of approbation.
In Deep , from 1973, is magnificent – hey, it’s got the original God Gave Rock And Roll To You – combining fluid musicianship with fluent writing. Even though Nexus , from ’74, suffers by comparison, that shouldn’t detract from its own particular power and passion.
This double CD offers a good opportunity to re-assess a great band, whose value lay in the fact that, however good the individuals, the band was far more than the sum of its parts.
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Malcolm Dome


