ROUNDHOUSE "HANDLE WITH CARE"

Artist: Roundhouse
Album: Handle with Care
Label: Claremont
Catalog: CP 4613
Released: 1976
Genre: rock
Grade: **** 4 stars
Condition: VG+ cover / VG+ LP
Comments: --
Quantity available: (SOLD)
Price: $100.00 (SOLD)


Little known mid-'70s Wisconsin trio that managed to record one surprisingly good, if undiscovered album before disappearing.  About the only other biographical things I can bring to the table are:

 

- The band showcased the talents of bassist David Henning, front man/singer/multi-instrumentalist Brian Kent, and drummer Bill Worden.

- Their sole release, 1976's "Roundhouse" (it's also shown as Round House on the album), was recorded at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin's Castle recording Studios.

 

Obviously, not a lot to go on.   

 

Kent was clearly the band's front man.  In addition to penning all ten tunes, he handled lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards, and synthesizers.  While the album wasn't exactly groundbreaking, the mix of English pop and hard rock moves was surprisingly energetic and enjoyable.   Kent had a great "rock and roll" voice with an obvious affection for English bands.  I'm guessing it was done on purpose, but exemplified by tracks like 'Treat Me Right', 'Rainbow (Lost In the Sky)', and 'Ooh Yes', more than a couple of these tunes actually sounded like something out of the Badfinger, or Paul McCartney catalogs.  He also had a surprisingly tight rhythm section in Henning and Worden, with the three displaying a cohesion and tight group dynamic many of their better known contemporaries couldn't match.   The album was also notable for its great sound - kudos to engineer Andy Waterman.   So at this point let me tell you the LP wasn't perfect.  Side one was far better than the second side which seemed to essentially run out of creative steam until the final two tracks  - 'Oooh Yeah' and the oddly titled 'Testimony, The  (of H. Hughes)'.

 

"Handle with Care" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Handle with Care   (Brian Kent) - 3:52

'Handle with Care'  opened the album up with a surprisingly impressive hard rock tune that incorporated  interesting jazzy moves, a touch of progressive adventurism, and some almost Badfinger-styled vocals into the mix.   I've listened to the tune dozens of times and still laugh when I hear the vocals and realize these guys were from Wisconsin, not Liverpool.  The goofy synthesizers bleeps weren't really necessary, but the overall song was still quite impressive.   rating: **** stars 

2.) Treat Me Right   (Brian Kent) - 3:52

The spotlight may have been of Kent, but as mentioned,  he had a dynamite rhythm section in Henning and Worden and the pair seldom sounded as good as on this pounding Badfinger-styled pop-rocker.  One of the album highlights - surprised this one hasn't been grabbed for a compilation.    rating: **** stars

3.) Hometown Dirty Bar   (Brian Kent) - 2:50

Conventional bar band rocker, though few bands have pulled it off with as much affection, or with such an appropriate song title.   One of my favorite performances on the album and one that showcased Ken's nice "rock and roll" voice.   If I ever own a dive bar, this one's going on my AMI Continental II jukebox.   rating: **** stars

4.) Rainbow (Lost In the Sky)   (Brian Kent) - 4:02

Another nice AOR tune with some decent lead guitar moves.   The song would actually have been better without Ken's distracting mellotron fills.  rating: *** stars

5.) City of the Dead   (Brian Kent) - 5:04

Mixing hard rock moves, progressive moves, a touch of lysergic flavor, while retaining a commercial edge, 'City of the Dead' was probably the album's most original offering.   Nice bellowing vocals from Ken.  rating: **** stars

 

(side 2)
1.) Think   (Brian Kent)  - 3:41

The few reviews I've seen of this album have pointed to 'Think' as one of the standout tracks.  I'll go against conventional wisdom and tell you it was nothing more than an okay rocker.   rating: *** stars

2.) Once I was Lonely   (Brian Kent) - 3:27

'Once I was Lonely' apparently found Kent and company trying to go down the pop road.  Although the tune had some nice Kent guitar, otherwise I can't say I was all that impressed.   rating: *** stars

3.) After Daybreak   (Brian Kent) - 2:57

Probably the album's worst performance, 'After Daybreak' sounded like one of those songs that had been stitched together from song fragments left on the cutting room floor.   Pretty much directionless and tuneless, at least it was short.   rating: ** stars

4.) Oooh Yes   (Brian Kent) - 3:57

Nice rocker with McCartney-styled harmony vocals, but the real scene stealer came in the from of Henning's hyper-active bass lines.   rating: **** stars

5.) Testimony, The  (of H. Hughes)   (Brian Kent) - 4:56

Another English-tinged rocker with some of Kent's most energetic vocals.    Nice way to close out the album.   rating: **** stars

 

album back cover

 

Well worth tracking down if you can find if at a reasonable price - you'll have to decide what constitutes reasonable.  (Geez, I use to wear jock socks almost up to my knees (you'll have to see the back cover band photo to get the comment))