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SCORPIONS
Colours of Rock - Vinyl Reissues (1974-1978)
BMG
www.the-scorpions.com

Unboxing Video Can Be Seen BELOW!

In conjunction with the SCORPIONS 2023 European tour, BMG is reissuing twelve key album's that helped define the German group's legacy. These albums will be released on colored vinyl with some being remastered from the original tapes for the first time ever. The first wave of releases focus on the SCORPIONS formative years, featuring:

Fly To The Rainbow (1974): 180g 1LP, pressed on transparent violet vinyl
In Trance (1975): 180g 1LP, pressed on transparent vinyl
Virgin Killer (1976): 180g 1LP, pressed on powder blue vinyl
Taken By Force (1977): 180g 1LP, pressed on white vinyl
Tokyo Tapes (1978): 180g Gatefold 2LP, pressed on yellow vinyl

From an aesthetic point of view, the packaging and colors of the vinyl look fantastic (see unboxing video below for more). The reproduced pictures look flawless and glossy, and the colors are bright without being in-your-face. Sonically, the music sounds crisp and clear on vinyl.

Be forewarned, if you only know the SCORPIONS from the radio of the '80s and beyond, their early material may surprise you. Early albums do display signs of what to come, but they also present a band still finding their sound and delivery. Vocals are split between members, instruments are trying to up one another, the band flirts with prog rock, folk music, and psychedelica, and yet somehow it all comes together live on Tokyo Tapes, where the band comes into its own.

Fly To The Rainbow (1974)

Michael Schenker (UFO, MSG) exited the group prior to this release, but a handful of his songs and some of his signature techniques can still be heard. "Speedy's Coming" kicks things off and it's coming at you in multiple directions. The SCORPIONS sound raw and a bit off kilter. "They Need A Million" begins soft and serene like an acoustic ballad with Klaus Meine on vocals. When rhythm guitarist Rudolf Schenker takes over on vocals, things pick up a bit. Schenker continues on vocals for the 7+ minute track "Drifting Sun". The song is accented by Prog Rock organ tones. Lead guitarist Uli Jon Roth tears it up throughout.

"Fly People Fly" is a blues guitar showcase that falls a little flat as a ballad. There's more Prog from the SCORPIONS on "Far Away". There's a weird vibrato on Meine's vocals before the track shifts tempos and becomes a fairly decent rock tune. The 9+ minute "Fly To The Rainbow" is by all intents and purposes a Folk song, with some great instrumental interludes.

3.0 Out Of 5.0

In Trance (1975)

"Dark Lady" has a great bluesy bounce to it and features Uli Jon Roth on vocals. The album's title track "In Trance" delivers some classic '70s fuzz mixed with some quiet balladry. Roth really shreds on this one. "Life's Like a River" is a forgettable ballad unfortunately. "Top Of The Bill" is a decent Rock song, but far from signature SCORPIONS.

On the haunting ballad "Living And Dying", the band pulls a bit of a LED ZEPPELIN influence. "Robot Man" tries too hard to be Proggy and futuristic. "Every Wind" puts strong emphasis on Roth's Blues-based guitar licks, with minimal vocal interruption. Francis Buchholz's thumping bass lines dominate "Sun In My Hand". Roth is back on vocals and the song comes off a bit too avant-garde and messy.

3.0 Out Of 5.0

Virgin Killer (1976)

Early signs of signature SCORPIONS start to come through on the album's opener "Pictured Life". The riffs are killer, Klaus Meine is finding his melodic power, and the hooks are tight. "Catch Your Train" is loaded with piercing guitars and gritty, yet textured vocals. The SCORPIONS bring the opening energy to a complete stop with "In Your Park". It is supposed to be a ballad, but the guitar is emphasized more and the lyrics are corny.

"Backstage Queen" is repetitive (in a good way), infectious, and the chorus attaches to your brain quickly. The album's title track "Virgin Killer" is as disjointed and chaotic as some of the band's earlier albums. The psychedelic track "Hell-Cat" blends a VANILLA FUDGE influence with '70s AEROSMITH. Roth handles vocals for this one, but maybe they should have given it to Meine. With "Polar Nights" Uli excels more with his guitar work than his vocal work.

3.2 Out Of 5.0

Taken By Force (1977)

Drummer Herman Rarebell joins the SCORPIONS for this release. There's a clicking sound throughout the opening track "Steamrock Fever" that really distracts from the lyrics and the rest of the instruments. "We'll Burn The Sky" starts off like you're getting a ballad, but soon shifts to heavy distortion and high-energy. Simple yet effective riffs and licks draw you in more than the lyrics on "I've Got To Be Free".

"The Riot of Your Time" employs acoustic guitars primarily, with shades of fuzzy distortion thrown in when the time is right. "The Sails of Charon" can't decide whether it wants to be a Dance track or Prog opus. "He's a Woman, She's a Man" has a great melodic chorus section, as well as a lyrically clever story. "Born To Touch Your Feelings" is a bit uneven in its delivery, but it shows signs of what would become great ballad writing in the future for the SCORPIONS.

3.3 Out Of 5.0

Tokyo Tapes (1978)

Take everything I said that was critical of early SCORPIONS music above and throw it out the window. Somehow, some way the group managed to take what was a bit problematic and chaotic on recording, and turn it into something special in a live setting. This show was recorded April 24 & 27, 1978 at Nakano Sun Plaza. It would be the final shows for lead guitarist Uli Jon Roth, and what a way to go out. The SCORPIONS are absolutely on fire with this set. The energy starts off euphoric, and never gets lost, not even with a ballad.

In addition to playing songs from each album up to this point, the SCORPIONS throw in some enjoyable cover songs. "Hound Dog" by ELVIS PRESLEY is given a dose of Rock steroids, as is LITTLE RICHARD's "Long Tall Sally". The SCORPIONS go deep with the Japanese Folk song "Kojo no Tsuki" and it pays off with the crowd. The group also visits their debut album Lonesome Crow (1972) with "In Search of The Peace of Mind". I was surprised that "Robot Man" made the set, but it has been improved upon, so kudos.

4.7 Out Of 5.0

Colours of Rock Vinyl Reissues (1974-1978)

Overall, the first part of the Colours of Rock SCORPIONS reissues look and sound fantastic. Sure, it's not the sound you associate with the German rockers, but we all have to start somewhere. It's rather cool to hear how it all came together in the end, each album building off the one prior. Now there's no doubt that the next batch of releases is where the SCORPIONS hit their stride, and I can't wait to hear and see how that all comes together on the second half of the Colours of Rock vinyl collection.

4.0 Out Of 5.0