Throwback Thursday: "Never Turn Your Back on a Friend", by Budgie

You know how some times you will come across a band and wonder why the hell they never got more fame and glory? That is how I feel with Budgie, a Welsh heavy metal/hard rock/prog rock band that got their big start and put out their best material in the 70's. Metallica in 1987 actually covered their best known song "Breadfan" from their third album from 1973 Never Turn Your Back on a Friend.

Never Turn Your Back on a Friend while fitting in with the sound aesthetic of 70's metal/hard rock still had a sound that was so incredibly all their own. It was raw, punchy, loud, grooving, and fast, but it could some times be soft, laid back, and relaxing. The most interesting aspect of their sound however is that their singer/bassist Burke Shelley despite being a man can easily be mistaken for a woman due to the way he sings. That is by no means a bad thing, though. His vocal chops are still incredible.

"Parents" is a 10+ minute cornucopia of rock n' roll sound. It has so many different vibes to it and flows so well that it feels as though you're being taken on a journey. It can be heavy and hard, but it can be tender and soft in places as well. If you listen to the lyrics, they're pretty heartfelt. Regardless, this is where the band truly put a significant portion of their heart and soul when writing and recording this unknown masterpiece of an album.

"Breadfan" is what everyone who listens to Never Turn Your Back on a Friend comes for. It is one hell of a way to open an album, that's for sure. With that iconic guitar riff, that rumbling rhythm section, and those soaring vocals it's hard to not jam out. The only thing odd about this song however is the bit of cognitive dissonance brought about by the bridge section where it goes soft and acoustic for a bit. Granted, the comeback to the electric is awesome but it's still weird.

Budgie is sadly one of those bands that for one reason or another seems to get overlooked by the general public and never made a huge lasting impact the way their peers from that era did. That said, plenty of 80's metal bands like Metallica and Megadeth cite Budgie as a source of inspiration, but had they not mentioned Budgie most people these days who do know of them would never have heard of them. That said, if you want to give yourself a musical treat, pick up Never Turn Your Back on a Friend ASAP.

Never Turn Your Back on a Friend, by Budgie receives 4 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Breadfan
2. Baby Please Don't Go
3. You Know I'll Always Love You
4. You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk
5. In the Grip of a Tyrefitter's Hand
6. Riding My Nightmare
7. Parents

Buy the album on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Never-Turn-Your-Back-Friend/dp/B0007LEAU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518772900&sr=8-1&keywords=budgie+never+turn+your+back+on+a+friend