Victims of Tradition

Description

Victims of Tradition is the sophomore album the hippie-era American psychedelic hard rock act Agape, independently released on Renrut in 1972. The album was recorded at Buddy King Studios in Huntington Beach, California. All songs written by guitarist/vocalist Fred Caban.

On this album, the band had added keyboardist Jim Hess to the line-up and the album featured a more progressive approach. Several lineup changes occurred as the years progressed, but founder Fred Caban kept Agape going in one form or another throughout the decade.

Agape’s second album is a very different but equally good work. Victims Of Tradition has a more complex song structure than the debut – more of a progressive feel with keyboards (courtessy of Jim Hess) playing a bigger role, even delving into jazz fusion on «Jazz Jam (Part 1)» and «You Reap What You Sow». As far as heaviness goes though, the album still hits just as hard. «Wouldn’t It Be A Drag» is my favorite here: a lengthly seven-minute outing that includes a two-minute drum solo, as well as solos for bass (from newcomer Richard Greenburg), guitar and electric piano before culminating in cacophonous bursts of noise. «The King Is Christ» is a beautiful predominately acoustic piece – it almost sounds like the guitar solo was recorded backwards. «Change Of Heart» keeps that heavy Hendriux blues-rock sound alive. As with Gospel Hard Rock, this is lyrically very evangelistic. Not just God-loves-you sloagans – these guys present the gospel. Much rarer than their debut and thus selling for mucho dinero these days. Classic b&w cover photo of the band playing their instruments in a graveyard. Not many LPs around that sound this unique, creative and on fire. Classic rock indeed. Re-issued on CD in 1996 with the bonus track «Oasis». See also The Rapid Richard Group. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Voyaging Pilgrim”
A2. “Walking Over The Hill”
A3. “Wouldn’t It Be A Drag”
A4. “Jazz Jam Part 1”

Side Two
B1. “The King Is Christ”
B2. “The King Of Kings”
B3. “Change Of Heart”
B4. “You Reap What You Sow”

Note: Re-issued on CD by Hidden Vision in 1996 featuring one bonus track; “Oasis”.