Restrictions

by Cactus

Overview

With a mixture of members from Vanilla Fudge, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels, and the Amboy Dukes, it's hard to believe that Cactus didn't really succeed in their time. Often derided for being second-rate boogie rock, the band simply did what it did, and part of the allure of the style is its sloppy, second-rate nature. This 1971 release may not see the band at their peak, but it surely showcases the occasionally thundering rhythm section of Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice. Why a song like "Token Chokin'" was never a hit and why it has yet to be embraced by the classic rock-loving public is a complete mystery. The song is some of the most heels-up, thundering, so-brainless-it's-genius rock that has ever been to tape. It's complete with big guitars, big sing-alongs, and a bass-and-drum combo that could knock out windows. Somebody needs to revive this track. Songs like "Evil" and "Sweet Little Sixteen" are all scorching guitars and long-haired riffing. It's a testament to the blues-inspired power they could surely muster up onstage. Other tracks seem to fall apart like the opener, "Restrictions," and "Guiltless Glider," which starts off thick and heavy a la Blue Oyster Cult's "Godzilla," but goes on for about six minutes too long. To buffer some of the more blustery elements of the record, there are competent acoustic blues numbers like "Mean Night in Cleveland" and "Alaska," the latter an ode to said state featuring lyrics about penguins, Santa Claus, and the aurora borealis. Nobody has ever said that boogie rock is grad school material, and Cactus are certainly no exception -- they did manage to make a big, bearded racket that is both groan-inducing and a lot of fun. ~ Jon Pruett

Product Details

Release Date:	10/27/2023
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8719262028517
Rank:	33732

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cactus   Primary Artist
Duane Hitchings   Keyboards
Rusty Day   Vocals,Harmonica,Percussion
Albhy Galuten   Piano
Carmine Appice   Drums,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Tim Bogert   Bass,Vocals (Background)
Jim McCarty   Guitar,Slide Guitar
Ron Leejack   Guitar,Slide Guitar

Technical Credits

Bill Stahl   Engineer,Recording
Chester Burnett   Composer
Eddie Kramer   Engineer
Geoffrey Haslam   Producer,Remixing
Gene Paul   Engineer,Remix Engineer
Rusty Day   Composer,Group Member
Ron Albert   Engineer
Carl Richardson   Engineer,Engineer
Cactus   Arranger,Producer
Carmine Appice   Composer,Producer,Group Member
Tim Bogert   Composer,Producer,Group Member
Gary Peterson   Producer
Jackson Howe   Remix Engineer
Jeff Mayer   Photography
Jim McCarty   Composer,Producer
Dave Palmer   Engineer,Remixing
Russell Davidson   Composer