After issuing a pair of thoroughly excellent albums on Reprise Records, the Phlorescent Leech & Eddie aka Flo & Eddie -- who were embodied by Mark Volman (Flo) (vocals/guitar) and Howard Kaylan (Eddie) (vocals) -- moved over to the Columbia label for two additional LPs Illegal, Immoral and Fattening (1975) and Moving Targets (1976). The contents of the former are split between studio and live material containing considerable overdubs. The support backup band for the project consists of West Coast session talents Phil Reed (lead guitar), Erik Scott (bass), Andy Cahan (keyboards), and Craig Krampf (drums) -- with one notable exception that will be dealt with shortly. As the anti-authoritarian title track "Illegal, Immoral & Fattening" instantly reveals, the performances are victims of -- or perhaps too-accurately parody -- mid-'70s glam metal, which is heavier and may come off as slightly pretentious when compared to their earlier outings.
What certainly has not escaped them are their immutable vocal harmonies or the vicious Flo & Eddie sense of funny business. Kaylan and Volman's tenure as co-founders of 1960s folk-rockers the Turtles likewise reveal their remarkable sensitivity when interpreting ballads. Their version of Albert Hammond's "Rebecca" and the catchy, lithe "Let Me Make Love to You" are this platter's quintessential examples. Fellow Turtles and Mothers of Invention member Jim Pons is co-credited with the first of several obligatory cuts to feature their mature-theme gags circa the Mothers' anything goes stage shows under Zappa's baton. "Kama Sutra Time" -- which also handily pokes fun at Elton John and T. Rex -- as well as the "Sanzini Brothers Return," are filled with plenty of locker-room humor. Then there is the case of the rapid, multi-syllabic "Tiberian Memory Trick" tongue twister. This famous bit of convoluted conversation was handed down from the likes of Del Moore and Jerry Lewis. By the time Danny Kaye began incorporating it into his act, it was named "The Tibetan Memory Trick." And it remained an integral part of Flo & Eddie's stage act ever after.
The funky, wah wah driven "Livin' in the Jungle" and the demented power ballad "Cheap" are on par with their best straight-ahead rockers -- although the term "straight-ahead" is definitely relative. The "Kung-Fu Killer" is a brilliant piece of live shtick that -- on-stage at least -- seems to have developed out of an update of the Turtles' hit "You Showed Me." They draw upon the concurrent pop hit "Kung Fu Fighting" and even the Doors' Oedipal climax to "The End" before remaking the Mothers' classic "Eddie, Are You Kidding?" circa Just Another Band from L.A. (1972) appropriately enough. "The Pop Star Massage Unit" is another sexually suggestive wink and nod that also includes allusions to "Jumpin' Jack Flash," and "My Sweet Lord." Wrapping up the effort is a rock & roll spin on Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business" that boasts a significantly different combo of all-stars -- namely Danny "Kootch" Kortchmar (guitar), Leland Sklar (bass), Ian Underwood (keyboards), and Aynsley Dunbar (drums).
For their final (of two) projects for Columbia Records in the mid-'70s, Mark Volman (Flo) (vocals/guitar) and Howard Kaylan (Eddie) (vocals) serve up a mixed bag of rockers as only Flo & Eddie can. With the exception of the Turtles' "Elenore" and "Guns" -- the latter of which features a shared credit with former Turtles' and Mother of Invention bandmate Jim Pons -- the remainder of Moving Targets (1976) was written entirely by the pair. While their lyrics might come off as cynical (read: realistic) or whiney to some, they counteract the typical pop/rock fare by presenting the listener with an undeniably fresh vantage point. The (perhaps) semi-biographical "Mama, Open Up" seems to be a psychological profile of its authors disguised as a typical '70s power ballad. Sounding like a combination of Chicago and Todd Rundgren, Alan MacMillan's horn-fuelled arrangement on "The Love You Gave Away" -- not to mention Flo & Eddie's impeccable harmonies -- almost disguise the odd spin on a love triangle.
Marked by a bright jangle guitar introduction and strong dual-lead vocals, "Hot" stands out as a return to a feel that recalls earlier Flo & Eddie material. MacMillan's brass score provides some punch to "Best Friends." The compact and catchy tune lives up to its parenthetical moniker that indicates it as a "theme to the unsold T.V. pilot." "Best Possible Me" is truly exceptional, equaling anything in the Flo & Eddie cannon. MacMillan earns his keep as the orchestration underscores the powerful melody. In a very different way, the same can be said of the tongue-in-cheek "Keep It Warm" as they mull over their life and future as singer/songwriters. "Guns" is an upbeat rocker with the occasional anti-war sentiments, while the new recording of "Elenore" is taken at a noticeably quicker pace that reflects the way Flo & Eddie were concurrently performing the song in their live shows. "Make Your Own Kind of Music" meets "Add Some Music to Your Day" on "Sway When You Walk" as the highly recommended entry not only brims with positivity, it taps into the duo's silly and cerebral sides as well. Bucking the norm of placing the title track at the beginning of the disc, "Moving Targets" can be found at the conclusion of the platter. The mid-'70s proto-heavy metal vibe bears an Alice Cooper or Kiss influence, contrasting the rest of the effort in its relative straightforward approach.
by Lindsay Planer
Tracks
1. Illegal Immoral And Fattening - 3:14
2. Rebecca (Albert Hammond, Michael Hazlewood) - 2:43
3. Kama Sutra Time (Marc Bolan, Howard Kaylan, Jim Pons, Mark Volman) - 6:40
4. The Sanzini Brothers Return (Howard Kaylan, Ian Underwood, Mark Volman) - 2:53
5. Livin' In The Jungle - 3:43
6. Cheap - 2:40
7. The Kung Fu Killer - 3:00
8. Eddie, Are You Kidding? (Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman, Frank Zappa, John Seiter) - 2:22
9. The Pop Star Massage Unit (Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) - 4:56
10.Let Me Make Love To You - 2:21
11.There's No Business Like Show Business (Irving Berlin) - 3:39
12.Mama, Open Up - 4:12
13.The Love You Gave Away - 3:33
14.Hot - 3:26
15.Best Friends - 2:02
16.Best Possible Me - 4:06
17.Keep It Warm - 4:16
18.Guns - 3:56
19.Elenore (Howard Kaylan, Al Nichol, Jim Pons, John Barbata) - 2:11
20.Sway When You Walk - 2:03
21.Moving Targets - 4:44
Words and Music by Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman except where indicated
Musicians
Howard Kaylan - Vocals
Mark Volman - Guitar, Vocals
Andy Cahan - Drums, Keyboards
Aynsley Dunbar - Drums
Craig Krampf - Drums
Danny Kortchmar - Guitar
Erik Scott - Bass
Ian Underwood - Keyboards
Leland Sklar - Bass
Phil Reed - Guitar