CCR-Pendulum

Pendulum

For some reason,a lot of CCR fans dislike PENDULUM .True,it is not as good as COSMO'S FACTORY,GREEN RIVER or WILLY AND THE POOR BOYS;however,I place it ahead of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL,BAYOU COUNTRY,and MARDI GRAS.By this stage,CCR had more chart success in three years than most band only dream about.John Fogerty wanted to experiment with keyboards and saxaphone(all group members could play more than one instrument).Several styles of rock were played with:reggae(SAILOR'S LAMENT),soul(CHAMELEON,BORN TO MOVE),old rock'n'roll(MOLINA),progressive instrumental rock(RUDE AWAKENING NO.2),and hard boogie rock(HEY TONGHT,PAGAN BABY).The old CCR style was still present,however(HAVE YOU EVER SEEN THE RAIN,IT'S JUST A THOUGHT and HIDEAWAY).As a result of the experimentation,most critics complained that PENDULUM was a wildly uneven album.I prefer to think of it as a noble musical experiment.Also,as a result of John's perfectionism,Tom Fogerty quit the group not long after PENDULUM's release.This paved the way for CCR as a trio and MARDI GRAS.But that,as they say,is another story.  The major sticking point for most is the departure from the CCR formula into some different kinds of music - most of it kinda Soul-y. John Fogerty, always an underrated musician, had already mastered guitar and drums and was now playing organ and sax.

The opening "Pagan Baby" really rocks out, if you like "Ramble Tamble" from COSMO'S FACTORY you'll love this - Fogerty truly achieves guitar-hero status! Both sides of the then-current 45 ("Hey Tonight" and "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" - the latter covered to charming effect by REM in concert back in 1985) are first-rate. There's also some neglected gems like "It's Just a Thought" and "Hideaway". Top notch stuff. Even the villified instrumental "Rude Awakening #2" (where #1?) has a beautiful opening section. I play this more than any other Creedence LP, 'nuff said.