Josefus - Josefus...Plus (Remastered) (1969-70/2011)

Josefus' second album was actually an improvement over the band's first (Dead Man), by virtue of its more versatile songwriting, slightly better riffs, and occasional drifts beyond sub-Led Zeppelin-style early metal. All that considered, it's still a pedestrian Led Zeppelin-like Texas take on early hard rock-metal, though Pete Bailey's vocals are a little less obviously in the Robert Plant mold this time around. Less blues-based than Dead Man as well, it contains some of their better songs in "America," which shows the influence of lighter California-styled psychedelia, the odd "Jimmy, Jimmy," apparently about a friend unfairly institutionalized for freaking out (inspired by fellow Texan Roky Erickson by any chance?), and, most surprisingly, the gentle country-rock of "Such Is Life." [Italian imprint Akarma reissued the album as an expanded version, complete with six bonus tracks.]