Polyphony - Without Introduction

[Zappathustra]

Oh, this such underappreciated thing that's called American Prog! What about this US record from the early 70's? The ELP influence is quite obvious, but here we get a huge bass guitar sound (a Rickenbacker methinks), a great guitar player and an extra percussion player to adorn the whole things with bizarre rhythms. The sheer power and adventurous spirit of the two long compositions excite me a lot, and I have to say that I didn't expect such a fully fledged progressive rock album from US at such an early stage (we're talking about 1971 here!). Let's not forget the highly original use of slide guitar within the Prog context - a thing that Yes also tried quite successfully in a record like Going For the One.

So, what does PE think of this album?

[wiz_d_kidd]

Never heard of them, until your post. I checked out the album on YouTube, then bought the MP3 on Amazon for less than $4US. A great find! Thanks for pointing it out!

The ELP similarities are obvious, but I don't find them bothersome. Great music for such an early date. It's a shame they were "one-and-done".

[Soc Prof]

Qobuz has the album incorrectly listed as Without Introduction by Without Introduction. $7.49 for 16/44.1 quality.

https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/album/wi.../s7p1h6qwos3ra

[Quantum Cat]

I think it's an excellent album. Classic 70's organ-driven prog rock with excellent musicianship, nice arrangements, pleasant vocals (maybe a little 60s-ish and dated but personally, that's what I dig man), and like you said, adventurous. What's not to like? IMO "Without Introduction" is of its time, better than most and doesn't deserve its obscurity. 1971 was a great year for organ-driven rock. So many great albums with a heavy Organ (often Hammond) sound.

For me it was like dusting off a rock specimen to uncover a beautifully preserved and intricate trilobite. There are other hopelessly obscure US 70s prog fossils of course like The Load, Hands, O.W.L., Zoldar & Clark (Jasper Wrath) and others I can't think of right now.

[Sputnik]

I have this, but haven't spun it in ages. I recall that it has some very cool moments, but also some things that sound a little "primitive," for lack of a better word. I held onto it, so there must be something I liked about it. I'll give it a fresh listen and report back.

Bill

[LASERCD]

One of my favorite US prog albums. I tried to reissue it decades ago but it was like going down a black hole. My understanding is the master tapes are long gone.

[wiz_d_kidd]

...but also some things that sound a little "primitive," for lack of a better word...

The recording quality certainly has that early 70's primitive quality.

[Dunamis]

It came out in 2011 as a Japanese mini (Belle Antique – BELLE 111874) that I have been hunting (very pricey on Discogs). Wonder what did the Japanese use as a source, if the master tapes are gone. Anybody has this?

[wiz_d_kidd]

One of the band members, Glenn Howard (vocals, guitars), started a Facebook page with interesting stories about the making of the album and some historic photos of the band. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/polyphonywithoutintroduction

[Quantum Cat]

I have a CD reissue and I'm pretty sure it was on Gear Fab and was readily available at the time.

[moecurlythanu]

I have the original vinyl and a CD from 2004, Greek issue. It's not my favorite from the USA, but it's very good.

[Progbear]

I own the vinyl and it's one of my most treasured possessions, as I don't think it ever got a (proper, legitimate) CD release. They kind of remind me of Nektar, what with the crazy spaced-out guitar playing, but as has been said there's an Emersonian keyboard presence that gives them their own flavor. The band are from Virginia Beach, I believe.

[Sturgeon's Lawyer]

H'mm. Listening now and, while I do here the Emo sound in the keyboards, the composition sounds more Yessish to me. Interesting stuff!

[rockcup]

Great album,have it for years,i only wish it was instrumental.

[Sputnik]

I'm listening to this now. I have the pirate Radioactive release from 2004, which I actually think sounds pretty good, given the givens.

On the plus side, there's some killer music here. Definitely ELP influenced, but they have their own thing going on too. On the downside, the vocal sections really degrade the overall album's quality, imo. It's partly the vocals and lyrics, which are both a little dodgy, but the music that they sing over is just dull and drippy, such a letdown after the instrumental parts that actually have some energy and fire.

I can see why I hung onto it. For 1971, it's a pretty advanced attempt at nicking the English Prog sound and is thus an interesting curiosity. But it wouldn't especially pain me if I never heard this again. It kind of reminds me of bands like Arabesque and Quill, except the good parts of Polyphony are far stronger than those bands, though in the end, the overall effect is about the same. Wish I liked it more than I do.

Bill

[Koreabruce]

It kind of reminds me of bands like Arabesque and Quill, except the good parts of Polyphony are far stronger than those bands, though in the end, the overall effect is about the same. Wish I liked it more than I do. Bill

What, you mean you don't like We Are the Farmer?!

[Sputnik]

What, you mean you don't like We Are the Farmer?!

Wow, just when I thought I had that permanently flushed from my mind. Thanks for the reminder. Not.

[Zappathustra]

In case anyone tries to listen to this on Spotify, they have completely messed up the songs' titles. Correct line of titles is Juggernaut, 40 second..., Ariel's flight, Crimson Dagger.

[SunRunner2]

Interesting find; thanks for sharing. Syn-Phonic carries it for $16.

[wiz_d_kidd]

Let's not forget the highly original use of slide guitar...

Interestingly, on their Facebook page, there's a photo of Glenn Howard playing the guitar with a bow.

[chalkpie]

I was thinking of Polyphia and was very confused reading this. Then I figured it out and was much less confused.

[Dana5140]

I have this- found it at Half-Price books for just 4 bucks! I love it.

[BobM]

Wow, I thought I was the only person that owned this album. Will have to give it a spin again

[Scrotum Scissor]

I found the vinyl reissue of this one in 1995, having never heard it. Second hand, for 8$. One of the best buys I ever did, and it's still one of my fave 10-or-so US progressive albums from the 70s.

"Crimson Dagger" is one of those haunting tunes you'll never forget hearing.

[Kai]

I found the vinyl reissue of this one in 1995, having never heard it. Second hand, for 8$. One of the best buys I ever did, and it's still one of my fave 10-or-so US progressive albums from the 70s.

"Crimson Dagger" is one of those haunting tunes you'll never forget hearing.

I just listened to it again to remind myself of what it was like. Unfortunately, I've already forgotten it.

No, I don't want to sound harsh. I agree that the group do what they do very well and their mix of influences was quite interesting for 1971. I just don't think memorability was one of them.

Perhaps it's because I'm listening it on the (apparently pirate) CD reissue by Gear Fab. They've probably wiped the memorability during the mastering process. It seems that it doesn't transfer very well. Isn't vinyl supposed to "trounce" every other format?