Digitally remastered and expanded edition. Strange Hobby was previously released in 1999 without saying who the artist was ! It can now be announced it was legendary Dutch prog artist Arjen Anthony Lucassen. Strange Hobby has been out of print for over a decade and is now a much sought-after collectors' item. This edition includes four bonus tracks which have not been available on the album previously. This re-release is likely to be a big surprise to many of his fans. The CD release of Strange Hobby is the first on Arjen's own Aluca Music imprint.
A**R
Five Stars
Love this album!!
W**L
Arjen (of Ayreon fame of course) is prolific beyond all reason so this must have been a labor of love. I suppose not all will appreciate his take ...
For fans of '60's music and an overall appreciation for the "heavier" side of music we have Arjen Lucassen's re-imagined versions of these classic songs. Call me a sucker (go ahead do it), but I found myself very entertained and smiling inside and out. Arjen (of Ayreon fame of course) is prolific beyond all reason so this must have been a labor of love. I suppose not all will appreciate his take on things, but seriously folks these are splendid renditions, very tight and very well-recorded with the power of a glowing 6L6 inside a Marshall stack. Hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Lots of fun!
D**Y
22 tracks lasting just under an hour,which in this case is a good thing.
This arrived along with his new AYREON release THE SOURCE.This is a recording from earlier days in his career. I love cover versions by those whom can add to them, SHAW & BLADES for their harmonies SWEET & HOFFS for their energy.This collection from Arjen playing all the instruments is like METAL STARS ON 45.An excellent selection of tracks that are great to join in with lyrically are lost in the constant chugging guitars & metronome drumming.Good if in a car and want to do Wayne's World headshaking but giving some of these acoustically driven tracks a heavy beat just does not work. If a 2nd disc with acoustic versions was included this would get 5 STARS from me. Just glad he didn't do punk versions of them. O.K. but needed a little lightness in places.(good to annoy your neighbour with,though.)
L**R
Another success for Arjen.
As one who was young in the (mid) sixties and grew with the original versions I appreciate these new interpretations as technical improvements while retaining the spirit. From the titles you might wonder how some may fit into the genre of "Arnold Layne" but Arjen Lucassen has multi-layered that necessary depth of fuzz to bring them into a suitable character for the ageing mind to dream of fifty years ago. I am pleased that this artist tries so many varieties of music [see his back catalogue] as he has certainly expanded my range of interest.
K**G
Not 'Strange' at all.....
Anthony Arjen Lucassen leaves his Ayreon world behind to sprinkle his own special sort of magic on various tracks from the 60's and 70's. He covers Pink Floyd, Status Quo with equal panache, and I loved the way that such classics are brought to life with a new interpretation. A must for all AJL fans and new listeners alike.
M**D
Two Stars
did not like this
B**T
Five Stars
Fun album, nice to hear these old songs get a makeover.
