Procol Harum - Home

Home is the fourth studio album by English progressive rock band Procol Harum, originally released in June 1970 by Regal Zonophone.

Home takes the tightness of the landmark A Salty Dog and beefs it up with a dose of heaviness. Organist / vocalist Matthew Fisher had left the band, replaced by Chris Copping, who also doubles on bass. Robin Trower (lead guitar) picks up some of the songwriting, though Gary Brooker (piano, vocals) carries the majority of the songs.

This is Procol’s hardest-rocking classic album, and beyond some superb vocalizing by Brooker, is principally a showcase for Robin Trower's high-powered guitar and a rock-hard rhythm section.

First song “Whisky Train” is an up-tempo 12 bar blues where Trower really lets loose for the first time. Any hint of a “party” record is quickly dispersed with lyrics quickly slipping into macabre images of death and decay (complete with maggots) on the following dramatic piano ballad "The Dead Man's Dream", and into sociopathic violence on the otherwise bouncy "Still There'll Be More". "Nothing That I Didn't Know", "About To Die" and "Barnyard Story" all contain dark images of death and despair as well.

Musicallythere's more of an emphasis on guitar thanks to Robin Trower's increased role, and even Gary Brooker's quieter piano-based songs seem to have an added layer of gravity and heaviness to them, fitting the dour subject matter well.

The dense, apocalyptic "Piggy Pig Pig" and the dramatic maritime epic "Whaling Stories" are clear highlights; the former song further explores the doomy symphonic sound of the prior album's "Wreck Of The Hesperus", and the latter is the dark underbelly of the romantic sea captain theme explored on the prior album. "Whaling Stories" is one of the band's most direct connections to progressive rock, building from a quiet, yet ominous piano ballad to an absolutely mind-blowing middle section akin to a chaotic storm. The slow, heavy, chromatic climbing riff in this section is a highlight of the album.

Home charted at No. 34 in the United States and No. 49 in the United Kingdom, making the Danish Top 10 peaking at No. 6.

Check out the tracks: “Whisky Train” ; “Whaling Stories” and "Whaling Stories (Live)".

This LP with remastered audio, reproduced artwork and 4 page printed insert is pressed in Europe on 180 gram audiophile vinyl.