Album Reviews
Dr. Feelgood's second album and their American debut, Malpractice was represented a major step forward for the group -- for starters, it was in stereo. Add to that the fact that the quartet had refined its sound, so that it was a match for what the Rolling Stones had generated on their debut album, and you had the makings of a classic; Lee Brilleaux's lead vocals and his and Wilko Johnson's guitars crunch and slash their way through 11 songs, starting with a Bo Diddley number; they turn "Rollin' and Tumblin'" into a rock & roll piece, and also turn in a brace of memorable originals, most notably "You Shouldn't Call the Doctor (If You Can't Afford the Bills" and "Don't Let Your Daddy Know," both by Johnson. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide
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By Chuck E (UK) -
Dr Feelgood have never really got the recognition they deserved for powering through the 70's with what was somewhat backhandedly labelled 'pub rock'. It may be pretty one-dimensional, but it would be unfair to Wilko, Brilleaux et al to infer the kind of amateurishness such a description suggests. It's been noted by others that this brand of r n'b was subsumed by punk and the New Wave, but it would be more accurate to see Dr Feelgood as progenitors of what was to come. For those of us growing up in the 70's the sight of Wilko's bulging eyes and frenetic rhythm/lead guitar thrashing against Brilleaux's seedy menace (on Saturday morning TV) was an inspiration for DIY rock n' roll. Bowie was from another planet, Jimmy Page had come down from Mt. Olympus with guitar in hand just to show us we'd never match up, but here were a group throwing out energetic, sweaty riffs by the yard, with an f.u. attitude that would shape the consciousness of the Tiswas generation! Watch Feelgood in action, the Pistols, Stranglers, Clash and it soon makes perfect sense. The New York Dolls were always more glam-rock than their role as proto punks suggests - for a true taste of what inspired 'Anarchy in the UK', 'Hanging Around' or 'Janie Jones', you've got to include Dr Feelgood - and this album is Feelgood on all cylinders.
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By Victor Tugelbend (Hull, England) -
This is the second album from the classic British Rock and Roll outfit Dr. Feelgood. Carrying on from where they left off on their first album, `Down By The Jetty', the classic line up of Lee Brilleaux, John Sparks, Wilko Johnson and the Big Figure here serve up another classic helping of down and dirty rock n roll.
This is a classic record, packed full of hits. There's the raunchy `Back In The Night', the jealous `Another Man', the angry `Watch Your Step', and the playful `You Shouldn't Call The Doctor If You Can't Afford The Bills'. There are also covers of the classic `Rollin and Tumbling' and `Cell Block No. 9' that are as good as any other versions I've heard. Brilleaux's vocals are as great as ever, as he growls his way through the set, backed by the guitar heroics of Wilko Johnson, the metronomic drumming of Big Figure and inventive bass of John Sparks.
Classic Rock n Roll, very much in the spirit of Chuck Berry with its sense of fun and with a distinctly British twist. Recommended to all fans of Feelgood, footapping music.
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By Alan Garwood (Midlands, UK) -
Malpractice
Probably the best Feelgoods album, Malpractice seethes and boils with glorious rock riffery largely courtesy of the legendary guitarist Wilko Johnson. His playing throughout is just spot on. Raw and raucous. But with a patina of classy blues style. All of the songs featured are great - a collection of earthy originals and, er, earthy standards. Listen out for "Back in the Night", "Don't let your Daddy know" and the band's barnstorming take on Bo Diddley's "I can tell." Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
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By Pangolin (Aylesbury, UK) -
Remember when R & B meant 'Rhythm and Blues'? That's what Dr Feelgood's early albums were all about, before the term 'pub rock' was invented. I'd enjoyed 'Down by the Jetty', but only for about half the tracks, when I heard 'Malpractice'. It was inspirational at the time. Popular music had split into the trashy aftermath of 'glam rock' and the super-serious 'progressive rock': Dr Feelgood brought the emphasis back to the sound, the beat and the raw emotion of music. From 'Watch your step', through 'Riot in cell block no. 9' to 'You shouldn't call the doctor...' this was a whole album of fast, danceable music. The home-grown feel added to the appeal: four ordinary blokes, singing about funny stories and ordinary things. I wholeheartedly recommend this album at a time when the world of popular music has lost its way... again!
Dr. Feelgood's second album and their American debut, Malpractice was represented a major step forward for the group -- for starters, it was in stereo. Add to that the fact that the quartet had refined its sound, so that it was a match for what the Rolling Stones had generated on their debut album, and you had the makings of a classic; Lee Brilleaux's lead vocals and his and Wilko Johnson's guitars crunch and slash their way through 11 songs, starting with a Bo Diddley number; they turn "Rollin' and Tumblin'" into a rock & roll piece, and also turn in a brace of memorable originals, most notably "You Shouldn't Call the Doctor (If You Can't Afford the Bills" and "Don't Let Your Daddy Know," both by Johnson. ~ Bruce Eder, All Music Guide