Quicksilver 1971 Album

Quicksilver Messenger Service

Half of the band exited leaving only Valenti, Duncan, and Elmore to record Quicksilver with Mark Ryan on bass, and Mark Naftalin on keyboards - and with most of it went the mysterious Western space cowboy image and music. Supposedly. This late-period effort is a surprisingly strong rebound from the rambling tangents of the Hawaii albums, even though it is arguably as weird mood and feel-wise. The arrangements seem sharper this time around, with the Valenti-Duncan partnership finding its own, tested groove separate from what QMS had originally established. Especially in this record's mid-section, with dark, lean showcases like "Play My Guitar" stacked neatly by more adventurous tracks like "Rebel" and "Fire Brothers". It doesn't all go down that smoothly, for the last track "The Truth" is an extended disappointment, and there's no indication that any music here comes within hailing distance of being essential.