Great Rock Albums of 1981: Blackfoot- Marauder

Many people in the music world agree that Blackfoot's golden era was from 1979-81 when they put out their three best albums, "Strikes," "Tomcattin'" and "Marauder." Having already visited the first two albums in the appropriate year, I now go to the 1981 classic. Many people are of the opinion that "Marauder" is the best of the three and the best Blackfoot album of all time. I won't enter into a debate on that because I can definitely see why many make that claim in regards to this album, although for me personally, my heart has always been swayed by "Strikes." Saying that, it is a close run contest because "Marauder" definitely does rock the house down.

"Marauder" opens with a great the heavy grab you by the balls "Good Morning," which even with Rick Medlocke's crazy laugh during the intro, sets the pace for the rest of the album. "Good Morning" is one of those tracks you have to put the stereo up to full volume and just go nuts. The second track, "Paying For It," does nothing to lessen the adrenaline brought on by the opener. The ballad-like "Diary of a Working Man" just lets you catch your breath before the album bombards you with more great hard rockers. For me, I have always liked both "Dry County" and "Fly Away" and they are my two favourite songs on the album. The second song may start with an acoustic guitar on the album but it isn't long before you're banging away to the hard guitars once again. I must say that  I do like "Rattlesnake Rock and Roller" where Medlocke's grandfather Shorty plays harmonica. Another demonstration that while Blackfoot can hit you in the face with great hard Southern rock, they can be versatile too. And like many a great album, it has a great closing song. "Searchin'" ends with the lead guitar reminiscent of "Highway Song" from "Strikes" or even "Freebird." This seems a must for any great Southern Rock album.

Track Listing:

1. Good Morning

2. Paying For It

3. Diary of a Working Man

4. Too Hard to Handle

5. Fly Away

6. Dry County

7. Fire In the Dragon

8. Rattlesnake Rock And Roller

9. Searchin'

[caption id="attachment_1316" align="aligncenter" width="128"] Blackfoot[/caption]

Rick Medlocke- lead vocals, guitar

Charlie Hargrett- guitar

Greg T Walker- bass, keyboards, backing vocals

Jakson Spires- drums, percussion, backing vocals

While the studio version of "Fly Away" might started acoustically, the version played on Blackfoot's 1982 live album definitely blows people away and I will be visiting that album, I promise. "Marauder" is said to be the last great Blackfoot album. Well, it's for sure the last hard rock album they would put out because they would start using synthesisers on later albums. So for a good Southern rock out, that will have you jumping off furniture, "Marauder" is the album to listen to.

Next post: Molly Hatchet- Take No Prisoners

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