Shadrack - Shadrack Chameleon (us 1973)

Shadrack - Shadrack Chameleon (us 1973 psych-rock)

Formed: IA, United States

Members:
* Steve Fox (bass, vocals),
* Jon Porter (organ),
* Randy Berka (guitar),
* Dan Dodgen (drums),
* Artie Strutzenberg (drums)

Also Known As: Shadrack Chameleon

Tracks:
01. I Wonder Why - (bonus track)
02. Chameleon (I Love You)
03. Granite Feast
04. Don't Let It Get You Down
05. It Was Me - (bonus track)
06. Long Road to Ole' Miss.
07. That's the Way It's Gotta Be
08. Beyond Eternity

For an album created by a revolving group of friends from three separate bands, Shadrack Chameleon is quite a cohesive little surprise. Steve Fox is the only constant on each of the eight songs on the album, and, in a way, could be considered Shadrack Chameleon since his guitar, bass, songwriting, and vocal talents come to the forefront. Fox's thinnish vocals can be an acquired taste, but he is a strong, instinctive writer. A Jimmy Page influence (almost inevitable during the period) is discernible in the interesting, mystical chords and changes on the album. The band is certainly not a Zeppelin soundalike, though, because the changes that Fox and sometime-partner Randy Berka conceived are countered by a gentle acoustic feel and a languid rather than dynamic pulse. The band can employ a beautiful, stomping country-rock style, as on the opening cut "I Wonder Why," with its ensemble vocal hook (reminiscent of Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Lucky Man") and organ, or it can be a heavier progressive rock outfit, as on "Long Road to Ole' Miss" and "Granite Feast." Mostly, though, Shadrack Chameleon might be termed progressive folk, and songs like "That's the Way It's Gotta Be" and "Don't Let It Get You Down" reveal strummed chording that comes out sounding almost claustrophobic and is a good match for each song's subject matter. The members of Shadrack didn't lack ambition, either; "Chameleon (I Love You)" is an epic ballad with seemingly two songs combined into one, while the album ends on the spare acoustic-to-electric drone of "Beyond Eternity." The album ultimately passes by in an almost lazy haze and is occasionally accomplished, but too often Shadrack Chameleon sounds, if not uninspired, uninterested or flat.
~ By Evermoreblues.
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One of those "special" albums you'll either get and love or probably find as exciting as rice pudding. Very Neil Young/Crazy Horse vibe to the music, but there's a sort of garage-y desperation/enthusiasm thing going on. Very solid, simple songs and melodies with more straightforward folk elements here and there. "Granite Feast" is definitely tops. Much like the slightly similar Rayne this definitely could pass for late 80s/early 90s college rock. Except it doesn't suck.
~ By Gafnerostow (RYM).
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here is the album by this legendary garage band from Humbolt, Iowa. Taken from the original master tapes the one and only self titled album was originally released on IGL in 1970 and only 800 copies were pressed 500 of which were destroyed before it even got released. All former members of the band worked closely with GEAR FAB to realise this great CD.
~ By Miguel Angel (elcamaleongallego6.blogspot.com/).

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Shadrack - Shadrack Chameleon (us 1973 psych-rock).rar (79.03 MB)
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