I had high hopes for this record. I really did. With an album cover that great*, a name like B.O.S.S. and a tracklisting that includes titles like "Bandology," "Geodyssey," "The Blues" and "Airport 1975" I figured I was in for a treat. I mean, if your band name is B.O.S.S. and you name your albumBandology, you'd better have the chops to back it up. Unfortunately, the album didn't quite live up to my expectations. However, it does catch fire exactly once, during a cover of "Beethoven's Fifth," as arranged by Bob Lowden. The band chugs along for 1:03 and then out of nowhere comes a surprisingly fluid guitar solo that meshes perfectly with the funky, unwavering beat the drummer is pounding out.

The back cover states that this record was "produced by Fantasy Sound Limited, Willowdale, Ontario - On Tour in St. John's NFLD," Fantasy Sound being the same recording/mastering service T.A.S.S. used. I don't understand what "B.O.S.S." stands for, though; presumably "S.S" stands for "Secondary School", but they're from Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. I guess they decided that "B.O.S.S." looks cooler than "G.B.S.S.".

Beethoven's Fifth

* I've actually seen the same cover on a couple other Fantasy Sound releases, so it must be one of their stock photos