‘Taken By Force’ to me feels like the ugly duckling when compared to ‘Virgin Killer’, even though TBF contains two of The Scorpions trademark songs in ‘Steamrock Fever’ and ‘He’s A Woman She’s A Man’.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: The Scorpions
ALBUM: Taken By Force
LABEL: RCA Victor
SERIAL: PL 28309
YEAR: 1977
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
LINEUP: Klaus Meine – vocals * Uli-Jon Roth – lead guitars, backing vocals * Rudolf Schenker – rhythm guitars, backing vocals * Francis Buchholz – bass * Herman Rarebell – drums, percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 Steamrock Fever * 02 We’ll Burn The Sky * 03 I’ve Got To Be Free * 04 The Riot Of Your Time * 05 Sails Of Charon * 06 Your Light * 07 He’s A Woman She’s A Man * 08 Born To Touch Your Feelings
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
The early era of The Scorpions is not one I return to that often, though in all honesty that’s a pretty poor excuse on my part. I actually quite enjoy much of the Krautrock movement during the 1970s and other than some of the stuff that Eric has reviewed in the past, maybe it’s a treasure trove that needs more unlocking to find further rare gems from this timeframe.
‘Virgin Killer’ is the album I’m most familiar with from this era, but there are two albums from 1977 and 1978 that deserve special mention before The Scorpions version 1 signed off with the departure of Uli-Jon Roth, and version 2 signed on with the return of prodigal son Michael Schenker and their classic 1979 album ‘Lovedrive’.
Those two albums were 1977’s ‘Taken By Force’ (this review) and the 1978 double live album ‘Tokyo Tapes’ which has already been written up previously. TBF also sees the introduction of new drummer Herman Rarebell, who would became a mainstay of the band over the next decade or so.
The Songs
‘Taken By Force’ to me feels like the ugly duckling when compared to ‘Virgin Killer’. The songs don’t come across with the same vigour, even though TBF contains two of The Scorpions trademark songs in ‘Steamrock Fever’ and ‘He’s A Woman She’s A Man’, both played with ample energy. The other notable track is ‘Sails Of Charon’ which has graced a few compilations in later years. It’s a prominent rocker with ample guitar parts throughout, particularly the introductory sequence.
Uli Roth also stands out on ‘I’ve Got To Be Free’, his solo reminiscent of fellow guitar contemporaries Robin Trower and Pat Travers, especially the flanger based tone.. ‘Your Light’ is also played in the same style, plus let’s not forget the two ballads ‘We’ll Burn The Sky’ and ‘Born To Touch Your Feelings’ which add some relief to an album which is more mainstream rock than outright heavy metal.
In Summary
In later years, one of the album’s many reissues contained two bonus tracks: ‘Suspender Love’ and a live version of ‘Polar Nights’ sung by Uli Roth. He left The Scorpions in 1978 to pursue a solo career. It goes without saying that TBF is not the authorative album that the band had hoped for, considering the potential and promise of the prior two albums.
Video
Steamrock Fever
Entire Album (Select Tracks)
