My local record store, Noble Records, has exclusives vinyl releases for his store and I have been buying them all…well almost as I started late and I am missing the first three he issued. I have about 13 or 14 others though. And this is one of my favorites. It is an album by a band called Poobah and this is their debut release called “Let Me In”. But this is a special collectors edition as it is a 2 LP set with the original album on one LP and a ton of bonus tracks on the other LP. And it is all glorious. If you like early 70’s rock with a lot of distortion, wah wah pedals and some incredible drumming you are in for a treat. Any Sabbath fan, this would be right up your alley as well.

The original album was released in 1972 with founding members, Jim Gustafson on guitar and vocals, Phil Jones on bass and vocals, and Glenn Wiseman on drums and what a monster he is. The original album only has 6 tracks and they are impressive. The band was named after some girl from Jim’s high school that everyone feared. Poobah is weird nickname for a girl. The name makes me think of The Flintstones’ Loyal Order of Water Buffaloes. The cover art of the album was done by artist Jack Joyce and done in the style of American Underground Comix of the 1960’s. Jack had understood that Jim was a huge fan of comics so it inspired him to do this character throwing up in a toilet. Man, that is inspiration.

Then in 2010, the band signed a new deal with Ripple Records and the album was remixed and then on top of that they threw on 13 bonus tracks they had laying around that were recorded back in 1973. The band has seen a resurgence in popularity of the years with songs being in TV shows, critics loving them and seeing re-issues of the 2010 remixed album like this one from Noble Records. It is albums like this, I keep buying Dillon’s exclusives for his store because sometimes they are pure gold.

The album starts out with one of the guys pretending to be 8 years old and it is his birthday. His dad gets him a gun and he shows the other guy how to use it and with a gunshot, the song “Mr Destroyer” kicks in and it is all doom and gloom and that guitar has some bite to it. It is heavy, almost Sabbathy with a tinge of psychedelic and acid rock and some killer guitar playing by Jim. Also of note is the drums as the fills and kick drum add so much flavor to the song. Glenn shows his talent, but nothing like what is to come. This song is huge and an instant favorite.

“Enjoy What You Have” completely flips the gears and slows things way down. The song is light, airy and a little spacey. It makes you feel that you need to light up, sit back, and take long slow drags remembering to inhale.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=floIisJBM5Q%3Fsi%3DaRQIzTfxb9-FpsVp

The bass comes on thick, the percussion is inspiring and the guitars scream through the riffs. “Live to Work” is a working man blues track full of fuzzy guitars, classic grooves and heart pounding drums. This three-piece lays it all out there and holds nothing back. Another rip-roaring track that will leave you wondering how were these guys not huge. So many bands on the cusp, but don’t break through. It is never too late to find them as this proves.

As we flip to Side 2, we get a daffy duck type intro (it seems they love to have a little fun and a little wackiness is always welcome). One of the coolest songs on the album is “Bowleen”. The guitar work on this one is simply unbelievable. Gustafson takes on so many sounds and styles as this one has a slight Middle Eastern vibe and yet I can feel some Floyd and even Sabbath in it as well. There is a familiar flair to the song with its groove, its drumming and bass licks. The songs is a musical showcase of their talents. There are lyrics but they take a backseat to the talent of these three guys.

“Rock N’ Roll” is up next and it is as the name implies. A pure old school rock masterpiece. Jim’s vocals on this one are as gritty and dirty as the music. I don’t think I can say enough good things about Glenn’s drumming as it is inspiring and this isn’t even his best work on the album. His influences are their on his sleeves (or drum sticks). Turn it up and take it all in as you won’t be disappointed.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2MhLRVCJBzg%3Fsi%3DkYTrSkmP9kk4hXgN

The final song on the original album is the title track, “Let Me In”. It is another track were the lyrics aren’t what’s important as it is the musical talents that are. The song has a boogie groove to it and Jim’s finger’s are working over time on his guitar while Phil’s bass takes it down on the sound and lays a sensational groove. However, the kudos got to Glenn Wiseman as we get an over-the-top drum solo that will leave you exhausted. It is extensive at over 3 minutes of the song’s time, but it is utterly brilliant and worth it. And if this album ended right here, it would be one of the most impressive albums I have ever heard in my life. Yes, it is that good. It would leave you totally satisfied and ready to flip it over and start again. But we ain’t done yet.

It is time for the bonus tracks and of course, Side C kicks off with a weird, electronic voice intro that is so freaking out there it is nuts called “Here’s the Band”. But they love doing this quirky things. The song was recorded in Phil’s living room on to a two track player in the Fall of ’72. Then we get the opening riffs, drum rolls and bass licks for the song “Make a Man Outta You”. It is psychedelic and they even have some angelic type vocals as Jim, Phil and John Vasilchek sing along.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gq3pRVDmy7s%3Fsi%3DCZ3fNwcE7UZNsejR

“Upside Down Highway” has some dark, ominous bass lines with some eerie guitar licks, it is all spooky and frantic. The song is an instrumental piece that is all bass and guitar, well, there are drums but the focus is the other two instruments. Recorded in Jim’s living room in 1973, it is the guys just jamming and showing off to each other how good they are and let me tell you, they are good. You have Steve Schwelling on drums just so you know it isn’t Glenn.

Then we get “Walk of the Bug” brings the metal back with the distortion and ominous riffs. You have Nick Gligor on drums and lead vocals with this one. Musically, the guys are dangerous here and the speakers are ready to explode with the intensity.

“Blooey Gooey” is up next and I love the title. It matches the song as it is a bluesy jam that is a little nasty, but it is short and sweet. Then straight in to “Going to Rock City” is up next and it feels like 70’s rock with a Texas vibe. I love the break where he talks to the us listeners listening on the radio almost trying to get us to sing along. A fun break. This is classic rock at its best.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=qN21IKq_-Yo%3Fsi%3D2-n9eXAAOCT8g_1F

Then we get “Smoke” lets the boys jam some more with more incredible bass work by Phil and Jim’s guitar playing does smoke throughout. They heat things up as their playing smolders under the fast tempo ready to combust. It definitely is some hot playing.

Then we get a live rehearsal of “Mr Destroyer” and it is as impressive as the studio track. Well, the vocals aren’t as loud or solid, but playing wise these guys are killing it. Especially listen to the Phil’s bass work as it is front and center here. Really killer stuff.

“Passion for Freedom” sees a blistering bass and drum groove that screams the 70’s. The vocals are echoy and little light in the mix. They are a little crazy sounding like he is scatting a little to fill the space. The boys again are showcasing what talented fella’s they are and that they know their instruments well and how to use them. It feels like another jam and I don’t think we can ever have enough of those with these guys.

The final track is “I’m Crazy, You’re Crazy” and let me tell you it is crazy. Jim goes a little nuts with how crazy he can be delivering the lyrics and he does go nuts. But it is all cool and totally wild. A fun track with more stellar playing. Man, these bonus tracks were a blast and of such good quality. They turned this album in to a wealth of great music.

Wow! To say this album blew me away would be an understatement. It totally took me by surprise. I couldn’t get over how good the songs were and how especially the musicianship was by these guys, The guitar work was unbelievable, the bass grooves were tremendous and the drumming by Glenn Wiseman was nothing short of brilliance. If you like 70’s metal mixed with psychedelic elements and some classic rock pieces like Sabbath, Grand Funk, Deep Purple, you name it, these guys fit nicely in between all that talent. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. Poobah blew me away. Maybe they should be called the Grand Poobah as I’m sure Fred would agree. My Overall Score is a 5.0 out of 5.0 Stars! Yes, I think it is that good. Thanks Dillon at Noble Record for turning me on to this.