Winthrop
1003
1975
"It's like fighting both sides of a mirror..." This classic bit of rock rococo is as great as the title indicates. Worth buying just for the ace art by Jazzy John Romita (Black Panther on electric guitar) or the nifty narration by Stan "The Man" Lee. Recorded in the mid-70's by the pseudo-group Hero, Rock Reflections, like most records from this golden era, goes for every style: "Square Boy" toots its own horns (actually, that's the mighty Thor); "New Point of View" merges reggae and adult contemporary; and the multi-tentacled, ostentatious "Dr. Octopus" takes a brilliant cue from Mott the Hoople and a certain rocking horror show. Under the grooves unweaves the tangled web of high school wallflower Peter Parker's tragic transformation from bashful boy-genius into the amazing Spider-Man. Regardless of how many times you've heard this epic saga, Rock Reflections constantly entertains and enthralls (Merry Marvel also released several excellent, dramatic audio-recreations of individual comic issues during this time.). But Rock Reflections goes beyond the origin to early encounters with crush Gwen Stacy (doo-wop) and the life-altering run-in with arch-nemesis Green Goblin (one of the most poignant moments in fiction). A lovingly-rendered reissue preserves (as far as this fan-boy can discern, never having the original vinyl) the prime packaging and adds on a couple of lost cuts. Not sure why you're reading if not a comic buff, but this boss work will appeal to all.
-STONE, Cheap Trash NYC
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