As Jon Treneff said in a review of Four Sail on this blog in 2012, “Some would argue that Love lost much of the magic that initially drew listeners in after the career-defining Forever Changes – that Lee had nothing left to say and nowhere to go. An understandable stance, in light of his already significant achievements, but simply not true.” Accurate observation! Listeners who write off post-Forever Changes Love miss out on some amazing songs. The LA band’s sixth album, False Start, is a case in point.
With the original Love lineup long gone, main songwriter Arthur Lee ventured into harder rock territory, but without sacrificing his acute ear for memorable melodies and talent for emotive singing. He had total creative control and hired some heady jammers (lead guitarist Gary Rowles, bassist Frank Fayad, drummer George Suranovich, and rhythm guitarist Nooney Rickett) to back him in his quest to reinvent his b(r)and. For better or worse, the days of having his label (Elektra) enlist Wrecking Crew session musicians to help Lee realize his ambitious ideas were over.
Instead, Lee convinced Mr. Jimi Hendrix to sit in with Love, and the fruits of that collab surface on False Start‘s dazzling opener, “The Everlasting First.” Hendrix’s guitar flamboyantly corkscrews over one of Lee’s most poignant melodies and soulfully fried vocal performances, and one wishes we had more material from the godlike duo. “Flying” is not a cover of the Beatles’ wonderful near instrumental, but rather a piano-laced, maniacally cheerful ditty with Mott The Hoople vibes. “Flying’s a wonderful thing,” Lee sings with utmost sincerity, and only a fool would disagree. And in case you missed it, Love included a live version of “Stand Out,” a standout from the 1969 double album Out Here. It’s burly anthemic rock that could’ve appeared on the legendary Black Chains And Exhaust comp featuring obscure Black groups flexing wild psych-rock muscles.
About half of False Start consists of flinty blues rock that might fit nicely onto a Free or Electric Flag LP. The peak of this style appears on “Feel Daddy Feel Good.” An ode to a drug dealer, this is filthy, extravagant blues rock that sounds like a cross between Shuggie Otis and Led Zeppelin. “Ride That Vibration” offers a slight return to Forever Changes‘ featherlight psych pop and Lee’s more tender vocal delivery (until the freakout interlude), but slathered with Rowles’ guitar-hero theatrics.
Last but best, “Gimi A Little Break.” Surely most Love fans consider this a trifle, if indeed they’ve even heard it. But I’m a sucker for any singer who can extend the word “shine” into five syllables, as Lee does on this bubblegum-glam mood-elevator, with cowbell and Rowles’ scorching guitar solo enhancing things. It’s only 2:10, but “Gimi A Little Break” is one of the most enjoyable post-Forever Changes songs—as well as being the tune with which I’m most obsessed right now. I’ve been listening to it about six times a day this month, as if my sanity depends on it—because, in our current timeline, it does.
False Start hasn’t been reissued on vinyl in the US since 1970, which is a travesty. Come on, American labels—do the right thing and get this overlooked gem back into print. -Buckley Mayfield
Located in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood, Jive Time is always looking to buy your unwanted records (provided they are in good condition) or offer credit for trade. We also buy record collections.
