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Album Retrospectives
LOCKED IN
1976
The aptly titled "Locked In" album was released in the UK on March 12th 1976. Critics had a field day, branding the album a disaster. Sounds' Pete Malowski, a longtime Ash devotee, claimed: "Ash seem to be trying to take a giant step forward at the same time as if Dowd is confused as to which direction the band is heading. Somehow this album seems a drastic move and, after many listenings, it still seems to be an inconsistent effort."
Wishbone Ash had always taken a certain amount of stick from particular elements of the music press, but for once even the band's loyal fan base could not defend the album, with it's distinctly lightweight style and lack of memorable songs. This, however, did not stop the album reaching No.36 on the UK chart.
In defence of "Locked In", the album did contain some fine material - album opener "Rest in Peace", for example, would become a highpoint of the band’s live set over the ensuing year. However, as Martin Turner admits, "I just wish that album had been recorded some place else"
Wishbone duly honoured a five week US tour in support of the album (with Graham Maitland (ex-Glencoe) being added to the touring line-up, but even the band were aware that "Locked In" was a failure in both commercial and artistic terms.
Says Steve Upton: "We'd left our record company, had no management and we were working on a record with Tom Dowd. That was not a particularly healthy time to make a record. That whole time was probably the roughest of the lot. We just had no solid foundation any more. Musically we were taking a detour. I don't think "Locked In" turned out to be Wishbone Ash playing Wishbone Ash music. The title is more apt than I thought at the time. We were locked into a heavy situation. We were very cramped. We were just like blotting paper, we were that vulnerable."
"We lost track of everything," continues Andy Powell. "We couldn't focus on where we should be going and we put too much faith and responsibility on other people. We were looking for guidance - we didn't realise we should be taking the lead. It disillusioned us, it got pretty miserable."
GARY CARTER
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