Ted, John and Cactus

So I was having a long chat with my friend John Jermien (The Crazy Robertson). Wasn't expecting much to come out of it other than a friendly hello and an update on the next shirt, new stickers, etc. Once in a blue moon he will chill for a bit and talk music. Once in a maroon moon, I guess you could say, he will talk music and it won't be about Hendrix or Prince or Black Sabbath. This time he was reminiscing about his days at military school and the music that inspired him. To tell you the truth, I had no idea who these bands were that he was referring to but I was eager to hear him out. He spoke of a band called "Cactus." He said they were raw and real and metal. Very overlooked and very hard to find. He said he must have it and would pay any amount of money to hear it again. So, I'm like shit, this must be something serious. I go home and hit up itunes get the album in 20 seconds, $7 more in Steve Jobb's pocket. Fuck it, John's happy. I give it a listen. Damn this shit is solid. Rush it over to John, he shits himself, blah blah. Never seen a smile that big in my life, job done. I go home and give the album a chance, the album is called "Cactus" by "Cactus"

So the album gives you about 2 seconds to catch your breath before it gets completely out of control. It's fast, it's hard, it's heavy. The first track is called "Parchman Farm." The drums make you want to run laps and the guitar sounds like there are 5 guitar players playing simultaneously. Somehow whoever is playing the harmonica keeps up with all this. The singer sounds like Rod Stewart if he was about to die from a speed ball. Basically this song would be the last song you have to complete before beating the game in "Rock band." Still if someone could play that shit on expert...Dude, give up, you're the best. We get it, go get some arcade pussy. Somehow the second track, "My Lady from South of Detroit," is the most gentle song I've ever heard. Seals and Crofts gentle. Then you listen to the lyrics, it's a little dirty, not very radio friendly, but not really "Potty Mouth"status. It really is a good song. It's a perfect song if you happen to be making out with a girl at 4:30 am , parked on Mullholland looking over the valley when sky is orange. The album gets a little bluesy on the next couple tracks and really starts to rock, in a good way. Then you get the gem on the album..."No need to worry." It's Led Zeppelin without high priced production/equipment. Makes your mind travel around the room and make you think, "Why have I never heard these guys?" I'm not saying they are Led Zeppelin or can even bathe in the same bath water but, it's a great change of pace if the first 6 Led Zep albums have become sing-alongs. Dusty Ray (lead singer/ "Amboy Duke"), has a great voice and at times carries the group, he just doesn't have that unthinkable Robert Plant range. They also have the same back bone as "Vanilla Fudge," Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice who also appeared with Jeff Beck on the 1973 album, "Beck, Bogert & Appice," also worth checking out. "Cactus" is a very bluesy, heavy-rock gem and I encourage all of you to search for it (on itunes) it's $7. John will be happy you gave it a listen and so will I.