Liverpool Five - Out of Sight

All Music Guide

Because the Liverpool Five were a British band based in America who never had any hits, many listeners who expect a cheap exploitation record if they come across one of those records are surprised to hear a fairly credible group who wrote some of their own material. Still, that enthusiasm should be tempered by the realistic observation that they were just an okay band, not a great one, and not a real original one (though not a wholly imitative one either). They play and sing consistently well on Out of Sight; the problem is the material, which is erratic in both quality and style. The three covers of British Invasion classics (the Troggs' "Anyway That You Want Me," the Who's "My Generation," and Them's "I Can Only Everything") aren't bad live, they probably knocked out American kids who hadn't heard the originals, which weren't all that well known in the States but nor are they in the same league as those originals. The other tracks include some cuts ("Gotta Get a Move On," "Do You B...elieve," "Get Away") that both recall and stand up well to the snarling sides done by the likes of the Standells and the Chocolate Watch Band, though with more of a soul influence (particularly in the vocals). There are also some forgettable songs that opt for a more lightweight mood, though the driving "Piccadilly Line" where the group sound their most British, in part owing to some fine bluesy organ and a coolly cocky lead vocal is a standout. So there's about half a decent, though not remarkable, LP here, and while the rest isn't lousy, it does drag the record down. - Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide Read more Less