The Second +1 [Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)] [SHM-CD] [Limited Release]

this was another great Steppenwolf lp from 1968 that broke out the smash hit magic carpet ride, there are a lot of other killer songs on this record as well like don't step on the grass sam and most of the others, sometimes I wonder if this album was recorded at the same time the first album was, it is possible but regardless if you liked the power and the sound of the first album you will love this album as much as the first one, besides blue cheer and bands like incredible hog or the mc5 I am trying to think who was playing heavier then Steppenwolf as of 1968, the first stooges album was not until late 69 so I have to count them out, regardless this second effort surves up the same powerful guitar chords as the first album and the great raw vocals of mr kay and the great organs used in these days to give you a full on hard rock album like no one had ever heard before, im am so glad that japan finally did this catlog in papersleeve format and the shm mastering is awesome to, I think these are selling fast so I would be quick if you want to get one, 5 star record!!!! ps ahhhhhhhhhhh iron butterfly they where about as heavy as Steppenwolf in 68..

The group's second album was virtually a re-creation of its predecessor, only slightly more sophisticated in its range of songs and the manner of playing them, and the in-house writing had improved, though the latter also became highly derivative. Steppenwolf the Second embraces everything from hard rock to psychedelia to blues, and the band is in excellent form, playing very hard and edgy, except on the deliberately lyrical, reflective "Spiritual Fantasy," a rare acoustic number for the group. Much more to the point of the group was the single "Magic Carpet Ride," the ultimate psychedelic pop dance number of the decade, and the marijuana anthem "Don't Step on the Grass, Sam," the pounding "28," and the album-opener "Faster Than the Speed of Life." Side two of the original LP was a great achievement in its own right, opening with "Magic Carpet Ride," which leads into a nonstop extended array of hard-rocking numbers, mostly in a blues idiom: "Disappointment Number (Unknown)," "Lost and Found by Trial and Error," "Hodge Podge, Strained Through a Leslie," and "Resurrection." The playing was as good as the first album, and though there's nothing quite comparable to "Born to Be Wild" here in terms of cultural impact, the level of the surrounding numbers is higher.