STATUS QUO – Quo [Reissue]

Following the success of Hello! in 1973, Status Quo was on everybody’s lips when they released Quo in 1974. In many ways, the quartet was at their creative peak during this period.

Quo is probably the Quo-release from the first half of the 70s where they rock the most. But, it’s also a diverse release, with several songs that don’t follow their well-known formula.

Starting with a joyful intro, “Backwater” is a well-arranged piece with piano and a rocking chorus. Even more rocking is the funky stand-out track “Just Take Me;” while “Drifting Away” and “Don’t Think It Matters” offers some of the finest guitar riffs Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt have ever created.

“Break The Rules” is the single and the only so-called classic on this release, and the B-side “Lonely Night” follows as this reissue’s bonus track.

A song like “Fine Fine Fine” is a humorous arranged up-tempo tune with great guitar parts, while “Lonely Man” shows Status Quo from a more mature side. The latter is a great mellow and acoustic track. The album closes with the highly creative “Slow Train” and some electrifying twin guitar parts showing the skills and tightness of what were to become two legendary guitar heroes; Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt.

Hello! went straight into UK’s number one spot, but Quo peaked at number two. Quo marks the release where Status Quo rocked the most, with a highly consistent album that sounds killer 31 years after it’s release.