In Hearing of Atomic Rooster explained

In Hearing of
Type:	Album
Artist:	Atomic Rooster
Cover:	In Hearing of Atomic Rooster.jpg
Released:	August 1971
Recorded:	Summer 1971
Length:	41:42
Label:	Pegasus (original UK release) Elektra (original USA release) Philips (original European release) Repertoire (1990 & 1995 German CD reissues)
Producer:	Vincent Crane & Atomic Rooster
Prev Title:	Death Walks Behind You
Prev Year:	1970
Next Title:	Made in England
Next Year:	1972

In Hearing of is the third album by British rock band Atomic Rooster. It went to number 18 on the UK chart, helped along by the band's "Devil's Answer" single, which was not included on the album, but was released just prior to it and became the band's highest chart success at number 4 in the UK. The album reached #45 in Canada.^[1]

The four musicians pictured on the inside cover never played together. Half the songs were written by Crane and his first wife, Pat Darnell, who assisted with the lyrics. The backing tracks (and some vocals) were recorded by Vincent Crane, John Cann and Paul Hammond, but Cann and Hammond were let go from the group soon after vocalist Pete French was drafted in. The album's overall sound is dominated by Crane and Hammond, with many of Cann's guitar parts either not used or placed lower in the mix. However, Cann's guitars are still prominent on his compositions (tracks 2 and 6) and the instrumentals (tracks 4 and 7).

Track listing

Original version

Side one

1. "Breakthrough" (Vincent Crane, Pat Darnell) 6:18
2. "Break the Ice" (John Cann) 4:59
3. "Decision/Indecision" (Crane, Darnell) 3:50
4. "A Spoonful of Bromide Helps the Pulse Rate Go Down" (Crane) 4:38

Side two

1. "Black Snake" (Crane, Darnell) 6:00
2. "Head in the Sky" (Cann) 5:38
3. "The Rock" (Crane) 4:31
4. "The Price" (Crane, Darnell) 5:16

Original U.S. version

Side one

1. "Breakthrough"
2. "Break the Ice"
3. "Decision/Indecision"
4. "A Spoonful of Bromide Helps the Pulse Rate Go Down"
5. "Devil's Answer" – U.S. Version with Pete French overdubbed vocals

Side two

1. "Black Snake"
2. "Head in the Sky"
3. "The Rock"
4. "The Price"

1990 (and 1995 remastered Digipack) Repertoire Records CD reissue bonus track

9. "Devil's Answer" (Cann) 3.28 – original single version 1971

2004 Castle Music CD reissue bonus tracks

9. "Devil's Answer" (Cann) 3:28 – US version with overdubbed Pete French vocals 1971
10. "Breakthrough" 7:20 – Live in Concert 1972
11. "A Spoonful of Bromide Helps the Pulse Rate Go Down" 4:46 – Live in Concert 1972

2001 Akarma Records unlicensed CD reissue bonus tracks

9. "Devil's Answer" (Cann) 3.28 – original single version 1971
10. "Breakthrough" (Crane, Darnell) 6:10 – Live in Concert 1972
11. "Stand by Me" (Crane) 4:57 – as above
12. "People You Can't Trust" (Crane) 4:29 – as above
13. "All in Satan's Name" (Ric Parnell) 3:56 – as above
14. "Devil's Answer" (Cann) 5:39 – as above

Personnel

Atomic Rooster

• Vincent Crane – Hammond organ, keyboard bass (all tracks), piano (1, 3, 4), vocals (5, 8)
• John Cann – guitars (all but 3)
• Pete French – vocals (1–3, 6, 8)
• Paul Hammond – drums, percussion (all tracks)

North American Tour, 1971

• Vincent Crane: Hammond organ, electric piano, keyboard bass
• Pete French: vocals
• Steve Bolton: guitar
• Ric Parnell: drums

References

• The New Musical Express Book of Rock, 1975, Star Books,

Notes and References

1. Web site: RPM Top 100 Albums – February 5, 1972.