Solid melodic hard rock album of the seventies

The fifth album "Head On" was her first venture towards a vielschichtigeren sounds. The rhythm section was extended by congas and maracas, Little Richard played on some tracks Piano. Although most of the tracks are heavy as before, the blended sound softer and better produced than on previous records.

A good choice is that Fred Turner, the lead vocals on several tracks denies in his harsh voice was unmistakable: Take it Like a Man (with the thumping piano by Little Richard), It`s over, Woncha take me for a while like it on me best. Away from home drops somewhat.

Randy Bachman singing on Find about love, Avarage Man, Stay Alive, titles that are less heavy. And Looking Out For Number. 1
The latter title is the big surprise in "Head On": Looking out ... is soft and original smooth jazz, which at that time a number of radio listeners insecure ("how that should be BTO?" - Still a radio success). BTO fans back then did not know that Randy Bachman as "Undun" played as early as the end sixties several hits of "Guess Who" with a similar jazz guitar.

Anspieltips: I like the hard track "Take It Like a Man" at best, typical BTO. Would have been a perfect opener. Subsequently, "It`s Over" and "Looking Out For # 1".

BTO offered for a hard rock band quite a lot:
the rough voice of Fred Turner, distinctive riffs and good melodies in the same song, the guitar duels of Blair Thornton and Randy Bachman, the driving drums of Rob Bachman to Turners wuchtigem bass, ethereal guitar solos in the song middle, the hard sound is often caused by acoustic folk - and jazz guitars loosened.

"Head On" in 1975 was the last chart success for BTO. The album climbed to number 23 on the charts. But this does not mean that later albums like "Freeways", "Trial by Fire" or "Rock & Roll Nights" were ill.