Contraband

Even Golden Earring fans somehow bypassed this release it seems. I followed GE from Moontan-to Switch-to Mad Loves Coming. Each release was unique in it's own right, but, of course, all had the same common denominator-GE's supurb musicianship; TIGHT and outasight performances with those awesome vocals ; compelling arrangements and outstanding guitarwork especially [a must in the 70's]. Contraband is actually Mad Loves Coming in title, and does not have a loser on any tracks. ONE tune especially, is just plain legendary. What a shame that only a few thousand humans have ever realized the awesomeness of this composition/performance. Con Man captures the essence of Golden Earring's brilliance. This tune grabs you immediately and never lets up. Of special note, this song contains one of the best secondary Bridge pauses EVER..you know that transition that's really needed to keep the listener enthralled and even more entertained..that sudden change of pace. THIS CON MAN TUNE ALONE IS WORTH $30.00..you can't find it anywhere except on this import CONTRABAND. The other tunes are all outstanding, I enjoy them all.

Each track is a good one a that is musically interesting. Golden Earring fans will enjoy this album from start to finish.

Another solid effort. Mainly purchased this because the 4 disc Devil made us do it set only had 1 of the first five jams[Bombay]. How the other 4 songs didn't make it on the set is beyond me!!! Last 2 songs are so-so but like I said another very solid effort.

If it was not for the internet would have still thought Moontan was the only album these guys released. For me another classic that could listen to over and over. This band has a uniqueness which for most of the 70's and early 80's stayed consistent but later albums seem to lack.

Golden Earring is rock’s best kept secret! ‘Contraband’ is one of the many proofs of that!

grew up with this album So sad this group is so forgotten about in the states. This is such a great 70's rock and roll album

You know, when you listen to this band's recorded output from inception to, say, around 1984; it's an astounding body of work! This album, for my money, can and does tower with their best work within those years. When I first became familiar with this album, I already had a pretty impressive collection of their stuff, so I was by no means a newbie. Now, I have come to prefer not to use terms such as "favorite" when describing my thoughts on musical artists' music. So instead, I will say that there are, and quite obviously, some artists who are better than others. Also, some artists turn out perhaps an album that is entirely good from beginning to end. Then the next album may be good save a couple of lesser tracks. Then the next one may be good again, and then the next one may be nothing but a stinker! In other words, they're inconsistent. I simply cannot say that I've found that to be the case here. This band has turned out an astounding amount of fabulous work that no one should not be familiar with. Every album is a work of it's own - as it should be. And you know, I personally can't say that I can listen to them and pinpoint an influence. And that alone, when you stop to consider when this band went to work recording, is incredible! There just simply has not been another band like this one. This album in it's U.S. "Mad Love" form, was not an easy find in my corner of this country, in fact, I had to order it. That was in 1982, so this music was six years old before I got to hear it. I was already extremely familiar with the albums that sandwiched this one, but again, I was impressed with what I heard. I loved the addition of Eelco Gelling's slide guitar, particularly on "Sueleen" and "Mad Love's Comin'." I also liked the tastefully done (Kooymans always gets it right) guitar work on "Bombay," it's irresistibly charming. And notice too in this song, how tight Gerritsen and Zuiderwyk are on the tailpiece of the first run of the chorus - and even after that, when they're playing along with the sort of funky rhythm guitar sans lead - very, very well done! Hay's vocals are, as always, strong and dead on, and not one song contains a weak lyric. In fact, I've never heard a Golden Earring song with a weak lyric. This is just a brief aside, but, in the '70s, did anyone's MCA vinyl hold up well? Two of the worst sounding albums in my vast collection are "To the Hilt" and "Mad Love" as well as side two of "Switch." They must have been pressed on recycled biscuits of recycled styrene. They simply did not hold up! They're not scratched at all and look very clean, yet when you play them it's static city! There are other artists who have had great sustained patches of creativity, but none to my knowledge had a stretch that lasted as long as Golden Earrings'. This album is a beautiful addition to a brilliant collection.

This is a terrific album by the 'Golden Earrings' aka Golden Earring. One of their most underrated recordings. Great for listening to in the car with the roof down!

Great recording that follows the same fabulous sounds of the 'Switch' and 'To The Hilt' recordings. GE was on a roll with great releases since 'Moontan' through the late seventies.

After promising myself I would catch up with Golden Earring again, I finally managed it after about 30 years (!!!) with a copy of Contraband. I had the original single of Bombay all those years ago and this album lives up to the expectation well and truly. From the opening salvo of Bombay we are treated to G E in top top top form. Highlights are the aforementioned opener, but also Sueleen, the magnificent Mad Love's Comin' and the wonderful Faded Jeans where Barry Hay sticks his new threads "Into the washing machine 6 times, bleach bleach bleach" only for his mother to throw a fit cos "those things were brand new" :-) Love it. The only less "Golden" moment is the closing track, the appropriately titled Time's up, which is a total let down as a final track and almost spoils the album, but I can forgive them that small blemish on a top notch collection. Did not stop me giving it 5 stars. But that was only cos I can't give it a 4 and half !!!! Now. does anyone know where I can find "Hearing Earring on cd cos I am after a copy and can't find it anywhere........................

I'd never heard a single song from this album before, it's a hidden gem from the 70's. If you like that Golden Earring pseudo-heavy guitar rock (Radar Love and so on), you will love this, most tuneful and enjoyable album.

Silent vinyl, quality packaging, great mastering. What else could you want?

This and maybe the CD `Cut` are probably the bands last prog/rock albums. following the fabulous To the hilt, Contraband takes a new avenue. starting with Bombay `you`ll be swimming in the moonlight with your bo from mexico, I`ll come ridin in on the surf` next Sueleen an up tempo drum and bass under current with Barry`s excellent under standing of english verses topped with George Kooymans fluid guitars, right through to the close `my jeans keep fading`. yet again Im asking why oh why are`nt this band huge? try it..