Help were a Christian power trio from California that included future Doobie Brothers drummer Chet McCracken. They released an excellent self-titled album for Decca in 1970, the style of which was very melodic rural-rock. By the time of their second album, Second Coming, they had incorporated distortion, fuzz and wah-wah which made them a more incendiary hard rock outfit.
Opening track Do You Understand The Words is a stormer, spiced with acid guitar from Jack Merrill. Pounding drums, tight production, solid bass playing and strong vocal melodies throughout the album make for a pleasurable listen, although it’s the guitar playing of Merrill that makes Second Coming such a curio for hard-rock/proto-metal fans.
There’s the nine-minute epic Dear Lord, which can be something of a test for a Black Sabbath fan. he album’s second half, however, features an intense, heavy jam, showing off their accomplished talents. Oh My features a killer lead riff and is one of the heavier tracks, along with All Day and its infectious, funky wah-wah riff.
by Lee Dorrian
Tracks
1. Do You Understand The Words - 3:42
2. All Day - 2:47
3. Good Time Music - 3:32
4. Hold On Child - 4:03
5. T.C.A. - 6:50
6. Dear Lord - 9:22
7. Oh My - 4:42
8. Power - 6:12
All songs by Bob Rochan, Chet McCracken, Jack Merrill
Help
*Jack Merrill - Guitar, Vocals
*Bob Rochan - Bass, Vocals
*Chet McCracken - Drums