The vinyl is in exceptional condition and the labels are pristine. The cover has minor ringwear and minor rubbing on the spine, although it is fully legible. The real reason for only a VG+ Cover grading is that it is an unusual cover, as it has had some marvellous artwork added to it in recognition to Jimi Hendrix’s involvement in the album. His name has been added to the front cover in a very 70’s way, this can be seen as adding or detracting to the album cover – please see the photos and make up your own mind. Cleaned on a VPI Cyclone RCM. For photos and music review, see my .com site

VINYL: Ex

LABEL: Ex

COVER: VG+

Side 1

1. The everlasting first
2. Flying
3. Gimi a little break
4. Stand out
5. Keep on shining

Side 2

1. Anytime
2. Slick dick
3. Love is coming
4. Feel daddy feel good
5. Ride that vibration

This was Love’s 6th studio album and should be described as Marmite – people either love it or hate it. I think those that hate it are comparing ‘False Start’ to their first 3 albums -  ‘Love’, ‘Da capo’and ‘Forever Changes’. This is unfair, as music had moved on since those albums and Love had undergone massive personnel changes since. They lost Bryan MacClean who wrote many of the songs on those first 3 albums and Johnny Echols their lead guitarist. As a result, the band changed direction from folk rock/psychedelic rock to a more blues rock outfit.

Arthur Lee was the constant, and on this album he got help from his old friend Jimi Hendrix, who helped arrange ‘The everlasting first’ and also played lead guitar on it. The whole album was heavily influenced by Jimi Hendrix, which is why it may not be appreciated by Love’s earlier fan base.

The album does have some stand out tracks, especially the blues rock opener ‘The everlasting first’ with Hendrix lead guitar supporting some great Lee vocals. ‘Gimi a little break’ is an excellent number that does hark back to previous Love incarnations. The live version of ‘Stand out’ has brilliant driving bass and drums with Jack Brucesque vocals is a great track that has severe Hendrix influences. ‘Keep on shining’ completes a really interesting Side 1 with slight country twinges it shows the versatility of the new band.

Side 2 is not quite as strong, but it does have the amusing ‘Slick dick’ and a great finale in ‘Ride that vibration’ with some great lead guitar from Rowles and again does recapture the earlier Love sound, but with great rock vocals from Lee.