739 Creedence Clearwater Revival - Pendulum (1970)

Studio Album - Rock

About the Act:

Creedence Clearwater Revival, sometimes referred to simply as Creedence, or CCR, were a rock band from California, although they might rather you think they were from Louisiana, given the song content.  They sang about bayous and swamps and such things, and are often categorised as "Swamp Rock" as a result.

They were four guys, two called Fogerty (brothers) and a Cook and a Clifford. They were a band with different names before Creedence, but became Creedence in 1967. They lasted for a whirlwind 5 years before falling apart spectacularly in 1972. From my research it would seem mostly around the question of how much control John Fogerty, the singer, songwriter and lynchpin of the band should have.

Their greatest hits album Chronicle, was released in 1976 and is still on the Billboard top 200. They have sold a staggering number of records, and are hugely popular in America particularly.

I don't know how I discovered them while I was a student (early 80s) - I think there might have been something on the radio about them. Anyway, I got a copy of Chronicle at that time, and was the only person I knew who listened to them. Most people seemed to be like "who?"

About the Album:

This was their penultimate album before breaking up, after this Tom Fogerty left, and they only survived for one more album. 

My History with this Album:

I have a copy, but only got it recently, and have not listened much. There are a few tracks that I know really well because Chronicle, their greatest hits, has long been a staple for me.

Review:

So, where do we start? Usually with the music. This is Rock, with guitar, bass, drums and organ, and elements of Rhythm and Blues. I am reminded of Wilson Pickett and Booker T and the MGs (who were friends of the band). I am also reminded of Janis Joplin and Led Zeppelin even at times. There's crunchy guitar and chugging rhythms and in the main part it's good rock. By this time the band were falling apart, but it doesn't sound like it, they are tight and rocking.

The songs are mostly rootsy, about real life, especially with an emphasis on the South, but that's not quite so strong in this album as some of their others.  There's also less political stuff here than they were known for. To be honest, quite a bit of the time you would be hard-pressed to make out the vocals, because of the vocal delivery.

Let's talk about that. John sings, and has a great voice for Rock. He can wail like Robert Plant, but mostly it's a gutsy slurry kind of voice - a great sound, but not technical. I really like the combo of his voice and the tight, crunchy music. 

Some of the tracks are more inspirational than others. There is one track that only has one line of lyrics endlessly repeated. There are a couple I know well. Born To Move is tight and a good romp. Pagan Baby is the Led Zep sounding song, and great. That and another have lengthy instrumental sections which have a good jam feel to them.

The last track is a sort of soundscape/mishmash/weird kind of attempt to follow where others have gone more capably before, and doesn't suit them. There's sounds and sped up bits, and hints of "God Save The Queen". That's the down point really.

All in all, a nice album, despite the impending doom, a little odd in the album composition, but forgivably so.

7.8/10

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/372cMadhAGlNuDnc8TssqF

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJfwklRIOOp1kfD7R9ORMULd-ASzFMmOX

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendulum_(Creedence_Clearwater_Revival_album)