Released in 1975, Nazareth’s Hair Of The Dog encapsulates the essence of the era’s hard rock genre with its gritty vocals, powerful guitar riffs, and infectious melodies. Not only is this album exceptional but it has stood the test of time with notable tunes such as Hair Of The Dog and Love Hurts, both of which continue to be relevant in the modern zeitgeist.
While Hair Of The Dog is Nazareth’s sixth studio release, the album's raw production gives it an authentic feel that, in many respects, captures the core energy of the band. That, however, isn’t to suggest that Hair Of The Dog suffers from a lack of production, anything but, but the rawness enhances their music far greater on this release than any others. Also enhancing the album is the 2010 remaster as delivered via Apple Music. This CD-quality counterpart is superb with a well-defined soundstage that allows for ample separation between all musical elements. It also has plenty of headroom, thereby allowing you to crank the volume and rock out; just like it should be! That all said, perhaps the greatest compliment I can give the stream is that it sounds so good that I don’t feel compelled to seek out a physical release; even if I do long for one of the various vinyl reissues as the cover art is magnificent.
Of course, Hair Of The Dog is all about the music-listening experience. The album’s linear structure is flawless and if you have the time to, take a listen to the album and join me as I look at the eight songs that make up this landmark release. Yes, the Apple Music stream offers a series of bonus material, just as the CD releases did, but for this review, I’ll be focusing on the album’s linear structure that concludes with Love Hurts for I feel it is the strongest tracking available. It is important to note, however, that if you are seeking a physical reissue, on vinyl, not all re-releases contain this classic tune. It may be frustrating but it’s a by-product from an era when different linear structures were released in different regions.
Hair Of The Dog will immediately grab your attention with its memorable riff and swaggering attitude. Dan McCafferty's raspy vocal perfectly complements the heavy, bluesy instrumentation, that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Plus, who doesn’t love their famous refrain "Now you're messin' with a son of a bitch,” for it’s a masterstroke of lyricism and ensures Hair Of The Dog is a quintessential hard rock anthem.
Guns N’ Roses would cover Hair Of The Dog on their 1993 covers album, The Spaghetti Incident? and as much as I love the original, I’ve got to say that I prefer the slightly more rhythmic presentation that Guns N’ Roses were able to bring to the tune as it further emphasises the undertone of aggression that is present within the song.
Miss Misery launches with a killer riff before McCafferty’s soaring vocal enters the mix with the rest of the band launching into an incredibly rhythmic thunderous performance. Filled with passion and intensity, that is highly addictive, Miss Misery is a monster of a song that will have you coming back for more as it’s a flawless hard rock tune.
Guilty slows down the pace with its bluesy groove and soulful vocals. Featuring a memorable guitar riff and a laid-back vibe, Guilty will appeal to those of us who appreciate a diverse styling throughout our hard rock albums. Some may dislike it because it is considerably different to the songs that have come before it, but McCafferty's raw and emotive vocal delivery is simply magnificent and the sign of an exceptional hard rock vocalist is often found in slower-styled ballad recordings such as Guilty.
Changin' Times sets the pace back to that of a driving rhythm featuring a catchy melody and infectious rhythm. As solid as Changin' Times is, the most notable aspect is McCafferty’s vocal prowess as the man could certainly belt out a tune, with clarity and finesse, like few others within the hard rock and metal genres can.
Beggars Day/Rose In The Heather is a hard-hitting rocker with a driving rhythm and infectious energy. McCafferty's vocals are, as is the case throughout the entire album, full of attitude and swagger, while the band's tight musicianship keeps the song charging forward with unstoppable momentum.
Whiskey Drinkin' Woman is a blues-infused track featuring a gritty vibe. The song's laid-back groove and soulful instrumentation make it a standout on the album, but as you listen to the song you’ll soon come to realise that it would be perfectly played in any drinking establishment, anywhere in the world.
Please Don't Judas Me features a stripped-down haunting atmospheric presentation that blends some incredible musicality with McCafferty's emotive vocal presentation. As McCafferty pleads, "Please Don't Judas Me," the song builds to a powerful climax, leaving a lasting impression long after the music fades away. Masterpiece, while often overused, is the only way to describe this sensational song.
Love Hurts (Single Edit) is one of my all-time favourite Nazareth tunes and while there will be some that dislike ballads, I love them. This one, in particular, showcases McCafferty's vocal prowess with its poignant lyrics and haunting melody that will strike a chord with music lovers and is a core reason why this version has become a timeless classic.
It is, however, a cover that first appeared on the Everly Brothers’ 1960 release, A Date With The Everly Brothers. Their original is lovely but as with other renditions, I feel that Nazareth took the song, added their unique styling to it, and made it their own. Granted, there isn’t a bad interpretation to be heard, but Love Hurts is an ideal closing tune for the album; even if it wasn’t the closer for the record in all regions.
Hair Of The Dog, subsequently, is a must-have for any hard rock music fan. Its combination of hard-hitting rockers and heartfelt ballads makes it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences decades after its release and Nazareth's signature sound and powerful performances ensure that this album remains a standout in their discography and a cornerstone of 1970s rock music.