Steppenwolf: The Second CD Track Listing

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Steppenwolf The Second (1968)
Originally Released 1968\nCD Edition Released 1989\n\nAMG EXPERT REVIEW: The group's second album was virtually a re-creation of its predecessor, only slightly more sophisticated in its range of songs and the manner of playing them, and the in-house writing had improved, though the latter also became highly derivative. Steppenwolf the Second embraces everything from hard rock to psychedelia to blues, and the band is in excellent form, playing very hard and edgy, except on the deliberately lyrical, reflective "Spiritual Fantasy," a rare acoustic number for the group. Much more to the point of the group was the single "Magic Carpet Ride," the ultimate psychedelic pop dance number of the decade, and the marijuana anthem "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam," the pounding "28," and the album-opener "Faster Than the Speed of Life." Side two of the original LP was a great achievement in its own right, opening with "Magic Carpet Ride," which leads into a nonstop extended array of hard-rocking numbers, mostly in a blues idiom: "Disappointment Number (Unknown)," "Lost and Found by Trial and Error," "Hodge Podge, Strained Through a Leslie," and "Resurrection." The playing was as good as the first album, and though there's nothing quite comparable to "Born to Be Wild" here in terms of cultural impact, the level of the surrounding numbers is higher. -- Bruce Eder\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSteppenwolf turns to the psychedelia of "Magic Carpet Ride", March 16, 2004\nReviewer: Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City: Duluth, MN United States)\nIf "Born to Wild" is the ultimate biker anthem then Steppenwolf's next hit, "Magic Carpet Ride," tries to achieve the same prominence as a psychedelic dance number. The song made it to #3 on the Billboard charts and got the "Steppenwolf the Second" album to the same position on the album chart. This 1969 album follows closely in the footsteps of its predecessor, although there is clearly a bit less of the blues this time around thrown into the hard rock mix. There is even an acoustic track, "Spiritual Fantasy," which does seem a bit out of place, especially compared to the funky guitar-organ groove of "Magic Carpet Ride." \nAt this point the focal points of the group are clearly John Kay on vocals and guitar and the underappreciated Goldy McJohn wrecking serious havoc with his keyboard playing. The biggest difference between the first pair of Steppenwolf albums is that this time Kay is writing the best songs on the album, with "Tighten Up Your Wig" and "Don't Step on the Grass Sam" (complete with the drug bust at the end of the song), being the best of the rest after "Magic Carpet Ride," which also has some of the most interesting lyrics penned by Kay. Overall, the top is not as high but the bottom is not as low for this second album, so they grade out about the same, which is why the double-CD set that puts them together makes a lot of sense. \n\nMy problem with these early Steppenwolf albums remains the same idiosyncratic caveat it has always been. My first Steppenwolf album was "Steppenwolf Live," which was essentially a greatest hits album, and it is one of my favorite all-time live albums (even if it is a "faux" one produced in the studio). The energy and drive on that album just makes those same songs on these first couple of albums suffer in comparison. The two mega-hits hold up the best, but once you hear that double-album the rest of your Steppenwolf collection is going to get less play.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nOne Of The Great Rock Albums To Come Out Of The Sixties!, March 5, 2004\nReviewer: Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States)\nThis second outing for one of the Sixties most original and raucously independent group (of all those emerging in the tumult and upheaval of the times); Steppenwolf stood alone, showing their unique flair for defining and extending what was the beginning of heavy metal rock, all accomplished with their iconoclastic, staccato style. There never indeed was another band like Steppenwolf; so original and unique were both their songs and their instrumental accompaniments, not to mention John Kay's unusual vocal style, as well. All in all, a most creative and original force in the late sixties rock music scene. \nHere they show why they became so famous so fast, with a song cycle disguised as several separate songs. Starting with "Faster Than The Speed Of Life" and continuing with "(You'd Better) Tighten Up Your Wig", they show the blend of self-deprecating humor and social commentary crystallized like so much methadrine in their songs, trudging on through excellent songs like "None Of Your Doing" and a flight of fantasy in "Spiritual Fantasy", ending the cycle with a wonderfully raucous "Don't Step On The Grass, Sam", a wry and satirical look at the silly and incompetent police efforts to stop widespread casual pot use. \n\nThe second cycle begins with a tender albeit humorous look at what it really means to approach age thirty in a subculture that distrusts anyone over that age. Followed by their monster hit, "Magic Carpet Ride", and a nice amalgam of several stories with a story with four interrelated melodies from Disappointment Number (Unknown all the way through the resurrection and reflection at the end of the album. This is a terrific album, and one any real rock fan would want to have in his or her anthology of rock's best. Enjoy!\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nunderrated, May 13, 2003\nReviewer: Andrew C. Alter (Germantown, NY United States)\nI'm glad to see that people are still listening to and enjoying this album. Now sadly stereotyped as a biker band by the endless recycling of "Born to be Wild", Steppenwolf was really a sixties pop-rock outfit of the first order, every bit as delightful as Love, Buffalo Springfield, the Airplane and other California-based bands who are now lionized. \nThis album displays a mastery of tuneful songcraft. "28" is a forgotten gem that treads the fine line between bubblegum and garage. "None of your Doing" playfully echoes "In Another Land" off the Stones' Satanic Majesty's. "Magic Carpet Ride" never grows old, even after thousands of listenings. And the song suite on the second side (showing my age here) remains highly listenable and compares favorably with other side-length experiments of the time, like "Reflection" from Love's Da Capo album. \n\nSteppenwolf is long overdue for the reissue/remaster treatment, perhaps pairing this one with "At your Birtday Party". No other sixties band has declined in reputation so undeservedly.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nConsistently Entertaining, February 7, 2002\nReviewer: Hans Pfaall (Connecticut, USA)\nSteppenwolf the Second may be Steppenwolf's best overall album. It entirely features original material, without any ineffective tracks. This album is known for the excellent but overplayed Magic Carpet Ride, yet there were plenty of other highlights. The opening track rocks hard, and could have been another biker anthem along the lines of Born to Be Wild. There were plenty of other highlights including the rocking Don't Step On the Grass Sam, creative ballad Spiritual Fantasy, and well structured pop songs such as None of Your Doing and 28. 28 may have been partially hindered by Edmonton's sub-par vocals, but the song itself was a quality composition in lyrics, melody, and chord selection. A successful lengthy blues suite dominated the majority of the second side, before segueing into the hangover like final track, Reflections. This album is uniformly strong, and recommended for those who buy albums, rather than best-of compilations.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nJust what an album should be, August 28, 2001\nReviewer: Geoff Cox (New Zealand)\nThis is a cool album. I have the original vinyl, (worn so thin that it's almost see-thru in places), and the CD. I have to say that it sounds better if you hit the pause button after 'Don't Step on the Grass Sam', (where side 1 finished) and walk away for a minute or so before listening to the second half. Side 1 was (is) a straightfoward collection of catchy, well written pop/rock songs, that still sound fresh and interesting 33 years later. Side 2 however, only contained 2 pop songs (including the hit Magic Carpet Ride), and an ambitiously lengthy blues suite, containing everything from straight solo acoustic blues, to some of the funkiest B-3 organ ever comitted to tape. Listening to the whole CD in one go can result in information overload, but as a record of 2 halves, it works perfectly.\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nSteppenwolf Hits It Twice In a Row, May 2, 2001\nReviewer: Anonymous (United States)\nFor their second album, Steppenwolf improved their formula and took it to another level. While "Magic Carpet Ride" is the song that, according to some 'made the album', tracks like "None Of Your Doing" are worth getting the disc. The 'blues suite' (which is everything after 'Carpet Ride') explores what John Kay would on solo works, notably his latest 'Heretics and Privateers'. "28" and "Faster Than The Speed of Life" feature Jerry Edmonton on lead vocal, and are low-key pop songs, which hold up upon repeated listens. This album is unique, it cannot be recreated at any rate. It made it to #3 upon it release in late 1968 (some will remember it's shiny foil cover).\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nA Terrific Sophomore Showing For Steppenwolf!, September 3, 2000\nReviewer: Barron Laycock "Labradorman" (Temple, New Hampshire United States)\nIf I could have only one original Steppenwolf album to remember them by, it would be this second effort by them. Far from being a sophomore slump, this was a peerless demonstration of just how talented a group they really were. There is a reason that the sixties rock group Steppenwolf still sells so strongly some thirty years after their arrival on the sixties rock scenes with a quick succession of powerful heavy rock hits like "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Born To Be Wild". I've always admired lead vocalist John Kay's singing style, songwriting and lyrical talents, and his outspoken personal warnings against the dangers of drug excess with songs like "The Pusher" and "Snowblind Friend". He was anti-drug when it was anything but fashionable to so cautious and careful. And Kay also knew his way around a melody, and whether he was making insightful social commentary in a number of songs like "Monster" and "Draft Resister" or just plain old wailing in terrific, edgy songs like "Never Too Late (To Start All Over Again)" or "Twenty Eight", he used the combination of his lovely lyrics, driving melodies, and wild rock improvisation to create a whole rafter of memorable, insightful and very appealing rock songs. Most of them are here, and those that aren't you can find in their other albums. Steppenwolf quickly earned the undying support and admiration of their original fans, and are finding new listeners through terrific compilation albums like this must-own collection of their hits. Enjoy\n\nAMAZON.COM CUSTOMER REVIEW\nAn under-rated collection of variety and depth., May 13, 1999\nReviewer: A music fan\nBesides the well known Magic Carpet Ride the first seven songs are more or less as appealing, although more simple. One exception is Don't Step On The Grass Sam, a fine example of protest in their time. But wait! The best is yet to come! Starting from the eighth track, Disappointment Number (unknown), to the end is a medley that will slowly lift you off the ground and take you on a real carpet ride of rustic slide guitar and rippin' blues. A ten minute trip I highly recommend.\n\nHalf.com Album Notes\nSteppenwolf's sophomore effort, simply titled THE SECOND and released in '68 (the same year the band's self-titled debut appeared), is every bit as strong as its predecessor. Like the debut, THE SECOND contains one of classic rock's great anthems, "Magic Carpet Ride," which merges funky organ jamming with hard rock.\nSteppenwolf offers one of its best protest songs here, "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam," along with more of its trademark hard-rock sound ("28"). With THE SECOND, and the '70s just around the corner, Steppenwolf became one of the world's leading hard-rock bands.
This rock cd contains 12 tracks and runs 39min 59sec.
Freedb: b3095d0c
Buy: from Amazon.com

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