I began listening to the Guess Who in July 2023. I had high hopes for this band after their fine start but I never became a fan of Burton Cummings, who replaced original lead singer Chad Allen.
Shakin' All Over (1965): B+
Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!) (1965): B
It's Time (1966): C+
Wheatfield Soul (1969): C+
Canned Wheat (1969): B-
American Woman (1970): B-
Shakin' All Over (1965):
This Canadian rock band, then known as Chad Allen & the Expressions, got their first international hit by covering Johnny Kidd & the Pirates' superior version of the title track. That is of course nothing to be ashamed of (the Pirates' original is an all time great single) and they have a Beatlesque garage rock sound that is highlighted in many strong performances on their debut including "Stop Teasing Me," "Shy Guy," "I'd Rather Be Alone," and "I've Been Away." Not everything is as revelatory but the band continuously showcases an enjoyable pop innocence. B+
Hey Ho (What You Do to Me!) (1965):
A few great singles (that unfortunately only became hits in their homeland) and two nice instrumentals, what more can you ask for? They lose a bit of their garage rock sound in favor of more straightforward pop but the backbone of this record is fresh nonetheless and the filler is satisfactory considering the time. B
It's Time (1966):
As an album, this is their worst effort so far but there are certainly some developments to note. One is guitarist Randy Bachman's many songwriting efforts. They don't always impress but they're pushing the band towards a unified sound, which happens to be more garage rock--a big plus. Another is new addition and lead singer Burton Cummings, who sounds okay. Nevertheless, this album also says goodbye to Chad Allen, of whom I am a minor fan, and the true highlights--"And She's Mine," "Don't Act So Bad," and "Believe Me"--are sparse while the rest is more throwaway than usual. C+
Wheatfield Soul (1969):
Cummings has an impressive voice that can be used effectively for powerful shrills, emotion, and even to imitate Jim Morrison but too often he gives the impression of a classic wimp and tasteless simpleton. Perhaps the two most convincing evidence of this is given in "I Found Her in a Star" and the ten minute Doors rip-off "Friends of Mine." Other than the lead-off track, of which I am a minor fan, the best stuff on this album has all the professionalism and pleasantness of America. C+
Canned Wheat (1969):
Too pleasant though the musicianship can occasionally be, young Cummings is starting to prove himself as a tasteful singer who is grounding the older musicians behind him. In some cases, he's the only one giving the band's music any personality; other times, Bachman impresses while Cummings still sounds like the young dweeb from the last album. Most of the time, the excesses of psychedelic music continue to have a negative influence on the band's writing and compositions. For this one, I'm sticking to the singles. B-
American Woman (1970):
This band has supposedly reached their peak, the top of the mountain wasn't exactly worth getting to. The band has decent songwriting and performances but there's almost nothing interesting to note about their approach or the final product. It's unobjectionable and bland, perfect for FM radio in 1970. B-
