Review Summary: Traffic made a change in musical style to reflect the changing landscape of music and society, this includes some classic Traffic traits with some Prog, jazz fusion, and of course the legendary voice of Steve Winwood.
Traffic was almost at the end of their run by the time Shoot out at the Fantasy Factory came out in 1973, in fact they would only release one more album in the band’s original form in 1974. The album you get is a mature sounding end of the line kind of mood. Traffic were big players in the late 60’s British movement, you might remember songs such as Empty Pages, Freedom Rider, and Dear Mr. Fantasy. However by the time this album came out there were line up changes, Dave Mason famously left, and a changing musical climate that has seen a change in form for the band starting with the album prior to this, The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys. The album famously referred to David Bowie and the title track being a huge hit, you can still hear it on classic rock radio stations to this day and I agree it is a great song, but as critically acclaimed as the album was, with the change in musical style I believe the follow up, this album, is superior in every way.
This album fell on deaf ears in their home market, however reached number 6 in the US charts, why this is is a mystery, they are beloved in England and the album is a hybrid mix of the old Traffic sound, some jazz fusion, and some very early progressive rock. Maybe is was because of the drastic style change even from High Heeled Boy. They completely abandoned their blues rock form of the 60’s and the 1970 release John Barleycorn Must Die. Whatever the reason, the fans missed the boat. The first song on the album is the title track, and is the most upbeat song on the album, it has a couple of cool riffs throughout and although is not the strongest song on the album gets it off to a promising start. The second song Roll Right Stones is the what the band thinks is the centerpiece that the rest of the album plays off. I would agree that it is a great song, and at 13 minutes is definitely is the longest. The are some good mood changes and some progressive work that might be too much for a untrained ear at the time, this was definitely not the Traffic most of the fans were used to; however it is spectacular in its presentation and Steve Winwood one of the best voices in music is at the top of his game. That is it for side 1, two songs at about twenty minutes in length. It was very good soulful music that I think was a little ahead of its time to be completely loved at the time of its release, at least from Traffic fans.
Side 2 is stylistically the same. Three songs of about twenty minutes total length but the whole side plays as one long piece sort of, it settles on a mellow groove and mood and rides it out till the end. The first song is Evening Blue, you can tell by the title that it is pretty subdued, however Winwood’s voice still comes through as very strong and is able to put a little sadness in it which serves the music well. The last 2 songs on the side and album are tied together, the first a jazz fusion instrumental entitled Tragic Magic is a cool little piece with the same temperament as the rest of the previous song and syncs up nice with the final song the stellar and soulful (Sometimes I Feel So) Uninspired. This is a great song and probably the best on the album, the 2 final songs together make this great atmosphere of melancholy that is mood changing for me, I think Winwood’s voice is at his best on this, you believe every word he sings, that the band is on its last legs and they need to just get some rest.
Overall the album is not mind blowing, it is however a very solid later album by a fantastic band, going through musical and social changes in the band and society. I would recommend this as an album to listen to when you are in a certain mood, on a rainy day or when you are feeling a little down. It indulges that mood and you end up coming out of it feeling if not better knowing that it is all going to be OK, because Winwood said it will be.
