Time Loves a Hero

Little Feat continued its fevered descent into Weather Report territory with 'Time Loves A Hero'; the fusion element initiated on 'The Last Record Album' comes full flower on this record. Actually, the disc is more of Paul Barrere's baby than anybody else as he wrote (or co-wrote) the majority of the material. Sadly, Lowell George's input has diminished even more severely than on 'TLRA' as he contributed only two tracks here (one a co-write). This trait though is understandable as George's health was seriously declining and he was working on his only solo album during this period. Still, I mourn the lack of the eclectic hodgepodge of rock, blues, country and rockabilly that permeated Feat's early albums. The only tracks I liked are the Hawaiian flavored title track, 'New Delhi Freight Train' (not even a band original!) and the killer synthesizer riff that opened 'Day At The Dog Races', which then degenerated into annoying fusionesque noodling. I recommend 'Time Loves A Hero' only to hardcore Feat fanatics. Heroes can be extremely hard to find.