Title:  Them
Company: Happy Tiger
Catalog: HT 1004
Year: 1969
Country/State: Belfast, Ireland / US
Grade (cover/record): VG+ / VG+
Comments: minor ring and edge wear

By 1970 Them's stock was in steep decline. On the personnel front the band had imploded leaving bass player Alan Henderson standing as the lone link to Them's Belfast roots. On the business front things were equally unsettled with the band having been dropped by Capitol's Tower subsidiary, leaving them signed with the small California-based Happy Tiger label. To his credit, for better or worse Henderson tried to keep the Them nameplate afloat via 1969's cleverly-titled "Them". Produced by Ray Ruff, the album was recorded in L.A. with support from singer/guitarist Jerry Cole (replacing Ken McDowell) and an uncredited drummer. (Ry Cooder reportedly provided guitar on several tracks.) Even though the album sounded like it was recorded in a rush and with very little financing, musically the collection was surprisingly diverse and impressive. Admittedly, as lead singer Cole was an acquired taste, but his raspy voice (occasionally recalling AC/DC's Bon Scott - check out his performance on the rocker 'Jo Ann'), was well suited to the set's urgent, raw sound. Quite diverse, the track lineup included stabs at country ('Take A Little Time'), hard rock ('I Keep Singing') and the now-requisite psych ('Memphis Lady').

- The rocker 'I Keep Singing' was a strange way to kick off the album. Penned by Cole, the song was a true musical smorgasbord of influences including tribal percussion, acid rock guitar, and throwaway lyrics that continually referenced 1950s rock chestnuts. To its credit, powered by Cole's raspy voice and his fuzz leads the song actually generated quite a but of energy. One that grows on you if given a chance ...  rating: **** stars     
- Their cover of Charlie Rich's 'Lonely Weekends' opened up with a funny little nod to Them's 'Gloria'. Actually the famous 'Gloria' chord pattern formed the basis for the entire song. Overlooking that blatant cop, showcasing some early synthesizer and Cole's raging guitar, this was another one that I've come to appreciate.   rating: **** stars  
' The first disappointment, 'Take A Little Time' was an up tempo country-flavored number. With Cole and Henderson sharing the lead vocals there really wasn't a great deal to this one - basically the title track repeated over and over with a standard, throwaway country melody. Call it forgettable and move on.  rating: ** stars     
- 'You Got Me Good' was a delight for anyone who considers themselves to be a fuzz guitar aficionado. I'm a huge fuzz guitar fan so hearing Cole cut loose on this one was a treat. Nice rocker with a touch of Indian influence scattered across it.   rating: **** stars
- As mentioned earlier, Cole's voice wasn't instantly likeable. He had a tendency to get raspy and raw with at least a slight resemblance to AC/DC's Bon Scott and those characteristics were on full display of the rocker 'Jo Ann'. I happen to be a big AC/DC fan to those characteristics didn't bother me. Great rocker which showcased Henderson's hyperactive bass as the lead instrument. Shame the song faded out so quickly. rating: *** stars
- Hum, who would have ever guessed that blues-eyed soul and psych would make such a tasty hybrid? Cole's blazing 'Memphis Lady' was easily one of the album's highlights. rating: ***** stars
- Given the Wilson Pickett original was a classic, any attempt to tamper with it was bound to be a disappointment. Credit Cole and Henderson for trying to give the song a garage-fuzz sheen, but it just didn't do anything to improve on the original. rating: ** stars 
- Imagine Bon Scott singing a Tony Joe White swamp rock song and you'll get a feel for 'Nobody Cares'. If it sounded like a strange hybrid, it was ... though the slide fuzz guitar was kind of cool.  rating: *** stars 
- While Cole's fuzz guitar was prominent. 'I Am Waiting' was the album's oddest effort. The ballad simply didn't sound anything else on the album, instead having a distinctive 'British' feel. Cole clearly didn't handle the lead vocal, leading you to wonder if this was a number that had been salvaged from earlier recording sessions with former lead singer Ken McDowell. Regardless, it was a nice performance and because it was so different, stood as one of the album highlights.  rating: **** stars  
- Written by former Them member Ron Elliott, their remake of 'Just a Little' was actually surprisingly enjoyable. Kicked along by Cole's fuzz and reverb powered guitar, this was one where the decision to 'toughen up' the song's pop structure paid off handsomely. Again, the only criticism was that the song faded out way too early.  rating: **** stars  

Happy Tiger also tapped the album for a pair of singles in the form of:



- 1970's 'Lonely Weekends' b/w 'I AM Wating' (Happy Tiger cataloh number HT 525)
 - 1970's 'Nobody Cares' b/w 'Memphis Lady' (Happy Tiger catalog number HT 534)

Certainly not Them's finest moment, but all-in-all, a nice late inning rebound and an album I return to time after time ... Added bonus is that you can still find relatively copies.

"Them" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) I Keep Singing (Jerry Cole) - 4:25
2.) Lonely Weekends (Charlie Rich) - 2:33
3.) Take A Little Time (Ron Joelson)- 2:14
4.) You Got Me Good (Shawn Rudd) - 2:30
5.) Jo Ann (Buddy Knox - Vance Smith) - 2:55

(side 1)
1.) Memphis Lady (Jerry Cole) - 3:00
2.) In the Midnight Hour (Wilson Pickett - Steve Cropper) - 2:46
3.) Nobody Cares (B. Duncan - C. Garrett) - 2:46
4.) I Am Waiting (Mick Jagger) - 3:24
5.) Just a Little (Ron Elliott) - 1:54