Bachman-Turner Overdrive - Not Fragile Dr. Music's Weekly Checkup

There's not too many of us out there that think past "Takin' Care Of Business" when hearing the letters "B-T-O" in succession, but those that were fortunate enough to look past that hit and experience the musical depth of this band, "Not Fragile" is a true classic rock gem. Combining brute force ("Not Fragile"), expertly written hooks ("You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet"), and instrumental expertise ("Free Wheelin'"), "Not Fragile" was definitely the band's most adventurous record, and arguably their best.

The methodical rhythm of the deep bass line to open the album was perfect. It was a menacing approach that spit all over the idea of the band capitalizing on their commercial success and writing an album full of syrupy radio singles. The title cut, for it's time, was a brutally heavy track. The stomping bass line, and the growling chords attacked you like the neighbor's deranged pitbull. The uncomfortable, boisterous, and larger-than-life growl of bass player C.F. Turner ended up sounding like the neighbor's pitbull, and was something that made a statement instantly for this record and its mission, which was to rock your tail off. The album twists and turns from there, finding the band doing one great song after another. With C.F. Turner and Randy Bachman splitting the vocal duties right down the middle, it opened the band up to a wide range of song styles and possibilities. Songs like "Rock Is My Life, And This Is My Song" and "Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" combined the perfect hooks with the effective power chords, and made for two of the sharpest songs in the bands catalog, but it was songs like "Sledgehammer," "Blue Moanin'," and "Roll On Down The Highway" that kept the album locked into the "Southern Rock" spirit of the band. Although Bachman-Turner Overdrive hailed from Canada, and was a project that rose from the ashes of rock legends The Guess Who, the band maintained a parallel to American southern rock acts like The Outlaws and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Especially with bassist C.F. Turner singing, the band sounded more like they were from the southern United States than from the northern skies of Canada. The raucous instrumental, "Free Wheelin'," has a dedication to "Duane" attached to it. One can only assume that this is in honor of fallen Allman Brothers Band guitarist Duane Allman. So, there is no mistaking the Southern Rock influence that runs through this record.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive went on to have more moderate success over the years following the 1974 release of this third album, "Not Fragile." Hits like "Hey You" and "Lookin' Out For #1" were to follow, but nothing quite captured the moment like "Not Fragile." Some might argue when I tell you that "Not Fragile" is the most complete Bachman-Turner Overdrive record ever released, but there is no arguing that it is one of the most forgotten records of the classic rock genre. This is a great hard rock record, and it's a complete platter of classic rock prestige and radio rock hooks that will have you singing and tapping your feet for years to come. If you are a fan of classic rock with a pinch of Southern spice added to it, "Not Fragile" is one you should most definitely add to your collection.