High Tide self-titled album

High Tide, self-titled album, 1970.

High Tide is an English band formed in 1969. The original lineup included Tony Hill (guitar, vocals), Simon House (violin, keyboards), who later joined Hawkwind, Peter Pavli (bass), and Roger Hadden (drums).

Their sound is born from a unique fusion of heavy rock, psychedelia, and folk influences, featuring a fantastic electric violin as a lead instrument in synergy with huge, distorted guitar riffs.

Their debut album, Sea Shanties (1969), is considered their masterpiece, and their second album, High Tide (1970), is an evolution of it, especially in terms of production. Unfortunately, drummer Roger Hadden's mental health issues led to the band's dissolution while working on their third album, and Simon House  subsequently joined Hawkwind. Hawkwind There have been subsequent reunions, but they never quite matched the glories of their past. Their first two albums are their legacy in the world of progressive rock and hard rock and are now cult classics.

High Tide is an album that straddles the boundaries between prog suite and psychedelia, sounding much clearer than their debut album. The guitar and violin are more subdued, yet still prominent, allowing the rhythm section to emerge more clearly. This is primarily due to the improved recording and more refined arrangements, which enhance the complex compositions, which evolve not only from the raw, heavy riffs of their first album but also from the compositions and arrangements into more structured songs. The album stands out for the excellent work of Simon House on keyboards and violin, and Tony Hill on guitar.

This has divided critics, as the chaotic and spontaneous nature of their debut album made it a fascinating and distinctive work. I believe it's normal for a band on their second album to seek a change, especially in favor of the quality and clarity of their musical ideas. Unfortunately, there was no follow-up with the same lineup, and we'll never know what might have happened.

3 long tracks on an album lasting about 33 minutes

- Blankman Cries Again is the opening track, which begins immediately with a complex violin riff and develops into a hypnotic instrumental jam, with a very heavy atmosphere and a large organ part that determines the psychedelic atmosphere.

- The Joke begins with complex violin and guitar riffs, then transitions to the introduction of vocals and organ in a typical song structure, before shifting again into a long jam, a song with many variations that concludes with an almost folk sound and a great violin solo.

- Saneonimous is an epic, multi-part song that closes the album, clocking in at approximately 15 minutes. It's the album's standout track, featuring spectacular interplay between violin and guitar, alternating between heavy rock and acoustic atmospheres, and Hill's great vocals. Magnificent.

The lyrics are abstract and often surreal, in a beautiful album that exudes strength and energy, as this band was known for, but in a clean and thoughtful way.

I still prefer the imposing, overbearing chaos of Sea Shanties, but this is certainly its worthy successor. Great album.

Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page.

Tracklist

1. Blankman Cries Again (8:28)
2. The Joke (9:29)
3. Saneonimous (14:30)

Duration 32:27

LineUp

- Tony Hill - electric and acoustic guitar, organ, vocals
- Simon House - electric violin, organ, piano
- Peter Pavli - bass
- Roger Hadden - drums, piano, pipe organ