Montrose - Original Album Series (2011)

UK-only five CD box set containing a quintet of albums from the Hard Rock band housed in mini-LP sleeves. Includes the albums Montrose (1973), Paper Money (1974), Warner Brothers Presents (1975), Jump on It (1976) and Open Fire (1978).

This box set contains all the Warner Bros. Montrose Records from the 70's (1973-1978). A few things. 1. None of the CD's appear overcompresed or remastered for that matter. 2. The disc sound great; however, and do not distort when cranked up, which for the loudness wars crowd will make a difference. 3. The 5 star rating is for the complete works included here. 4. Two of these CD's, Warner Bros Presents and Open Fire are climbing to higher prices for the individual CD's so you can grab them in this set for a fraction of the price. 5. The box set is simple with each CD housed in its original album artwork cardboard sleeve. There is no booklet or bells and whistles. Now on to the Music.

1. Montrose - Montrose. (5 out 5 Legendary Album) If you need a history lesson on this first CD take a look around the net, you'll find everything you need to know. Montrose, Sammy Hagar with a just over 32 minute 8 song masterpiece. Pick a track, any track- they are all great. Some are the stuff legends are made of and those tracks include- Rock The Nation, Bad Motor Scooter, Space Station #5, Rock Candy, and Good Rockin' Tonight. This is a top 10 70's rock fest.

2. Paper Money - (3.5 out of 5 Stars) While this falls short of the historic effort made with the first CD, there are plenty of excellent tracks here. They are: Paper Money, I Got The Fire, Spaceage Sacrifice, and one of my favorites Connection.

3. Warner Bros Presents - (4 out of 5 stars) With Sammy Hagar departed and line up changes This effort returned to a more guitar oriented hard rockin' affair. Don't let that stop you. Bob James can really sing and the song writing is very good. Top Tracks are: Matriarch, Twenty Flight Rock, Dancin' Feet and the dark themed Black Train.

4. Jump On It - (3.5 out of 5 Stars)- This album is a bit more diverse and a bit less hard rockin' then Warner Bros. Presents. Bob James remains on vocals and delivers another stellar effort as does Ronnie with some really good guitar work and song writing. Top Tracks are: Lets Go, What Are You Waiting For, Jump On It and one of my favorites the slow jam Rich Man.

5. Open Fire - (3 out 5 stars) Ronnie's first instrumental affair with guest musician Edgar Winter assisting on some of the work here. This is not my favorite Instrumental work by Ronnie. (that being The Speed of Sound off Enigma Records in 1988. This is solid 70's rock with jazz influences and some interesting guitar work.