Album Review: “Yer’ Album” By James Gang

Enjoyable Enough

James Gang released their debut studio LP “Yer’ Album” on March 29, 1969. It’s not their best work but considering it’s their first record, it’s still stunning and brilliant. It’s a mix of covers and lengthy jams. And while it was overshadowed by other albums that came out in 1969, it was a promise of things to come. “Yer’ Album” features Joe Walsh (who would go on to join the Eagles and also pursue a successful solo career), Tom Kriss, and Jim Fox.

With eleven tracks, the LP displayed their brilliance and excellent musicianship. Even so, it wasn’t without fillers. It’s far from being perfect but the trio exuded raw power that’s difficult to ignore.

There’s a forty-second introduction before Take a Look Around begins. Driven by keyboard, it has that psychedelic feel. Funk 48 is groovy and seriously enjoyable – hard to listen to only once. Bluebird is a cover of a Buffalo Springfield original. And they definitely did justice to the song and more. Lost Woman showcased Kriss’ impressive bass playing. It’s a nine-minute jam that showed the trio at their absolute best.

Stone Rap is yet another filler that they could’ve done without. Collage is rather moody but still impeccable. I Don’t Have the Time is a hard rock number. Wrapcity in English is a melancholy filler that’s better than the other two. Fred is kind of odd but interesting. Stop is a sick jam that showed just how good James Gang was in terms of improvisations. The title is pretty funny because it definitely sounds as if they won’t ever stop playing and the song could just go on forever.

Yer’ Album is good enough especially considering it’s a debut LP. It lacks consistency but it’s still a solid effort.