Sweet Level Headed: Alternative Mixes And Demos Review
Metalville Records is at it again, serving up another brilliant Sweet release, this time diving deep into the “Level Headed” era. The album, titled “Level Headed: Alternative Mixes and Demos”, may be a bit of a mouthful, but it's also a feast for longtime fans. Previously available only on vinyl as a Record Store Day exclusive, this gem finally got the CD treatment on June 20th.
Not long ago, I had the pleasure of reviewing another Sweet collection packed with alternate mixes and demos, so if I sound a little spoiled, it’s because I absolutely am.
This latest CD unearths tracks from the “Level Headed” sessions, yes, the very album that delivered Sweet’s final Top 10 hit, “Love Is Like Oxygen.” It also marked a sonic shift from their beloved Bubbleglam Rock roots to a more polished AOR sound. Admittedly, Level Headed was never my favorite in the Sweet discography. How do you top monsters like “Action” or “Ballroom Blitz”? but that’s not to say the album wasn’t solid. It was in a very Raspberries sort of way.
These alternate versions inject a rawer, more raucous energy into the mix, and for me, that’s the Sweet I fell in love with. “Love Is Like Oxygen” feels almost schizophrenic here in a good way. It’s a rocker now, stripped of its gloss and driven by dirty riffs and Connolly’s spot-on vocals. “Strong Love” benefits from the same treatment, musically towering over the original. “Fountain” gets a similar rock-forward upgrade.
“Lady of the Lake,” however, still feels like an Elton John leftover. It’s presented here as an instrumental, which is a bit of a letdown. I would’ve loved to hear Connolly tackle it again in this more muscular form. “Silverbird” earns some serious points for its dirty, magnificent riffing, but Connolly’s scratch vocals are hit-or-miss, sometimes off-key, sometimes just... la la la. Same goes for “Cover Girl,” which sounds rawer and more aggressive, though again, the rough vocals occasionally veer into eyebrow-raising territory. Still, you get a great peek into how Connolly worked in the studio - warts and all.
All in all, “Level Headed: Alternative Mixes and Demos” is another fun addition to Metalville’s growing Sweet catalog. Sure, I would've loved more polished demos, but let’s be real these songs were recorded in '77/'78. We're lucky they exist at all. Hardcore fans will absolutely want this in their collection, and for those of us who missed the vinyl the first time around, this CD release is a very welcome second chance.