Crazy Horses/The Plan

I have been listening to both of these records since I was a wee lad, back in the 1970's, playing drums to them with my headphones on, thinking that this was the coolest stuff I had ever heard. I still love it, and it's finally been released on CD. I had already owned a copy of "The Plan" (the "infamous" - in Osmond-loving circles - Mormon-themed "Concept"-album) on CD that was released back in the late 90's, but, for some unknown reason, Crazy Horses - an album, which, in my opinion, is their best effort, ever - never got any love, digitally speaking. I finally broke down a few years back and took my old LP and ripped it onto my computer, just so I could make a CD to listen to in my car (I was damned if I was going to pay $200.00 for an import), so now, I'm overjoyed that they finally decided to release all this stuff on CD. I think it's considerate to the fans that they doubled-up the albums, to give a better value, rather than gouge people by releasing them individually. I have to say honestly, though - I'm not really all that impressed with the production in the re-mastering of the albums. True, the original albums are kind of tame in the way they were mixed, but you'd think that - now that they were going to scour the vaults for all the albums to be re-released - they'd give it some more love and really re-mix these to have some more punch and heavier mastering. I would love to hear the track, "Crazy Horses", with some more teeth, sonically speaking. It seems as though they just did the bare minimum (like they did back when CD's first came out) and just tossed the mixes up on the board, cleaned them up minimally, and just put them out. I'm not saying they sound bad, I would've just liked them to sparkle and punch a bit more.For all those not familiar with these two awesome albums, take everything you know (or think you know) about the Osmonds - the white teeth, the big smiles, the perfect hair, the squeaky-clean image - and throw it out the window, because these two albums ROCK. My favorite thing - as a professional musician, playing in rock bands for over twenty years - was to play these albums for my fellow musician friends, not tell them who it was, and when they were completely blown away at how much they rocked, divulge the surprise answer, only to have them blown away even more.These albums mark the Osmonds desire (Much like the Beach Boys and The Sweet before them)to show the world that they were not mere Top-40, Pop/bubblegum puppets, propped up by some Svengali to dance like little monkeys for the masses. These albums were written and performed by all of the brothers (save Jimmy) and the level of musical aptitude displayed here is pretty impressive. Jay's inspired drumming, Donny's Synthesizer and keyboard wizardry, Merril's blood-curdling vocal wails, Alan's creaky, basso-vocal moans - all punctuating the brother's proof that they can rock as tight and as hard as any contemporary band of the time - as well as write and perform expertly-written Pop-Rock songs - all come together to form these two unexpected bookends of rock by a band that started out as toddlers, singing 5-part, Barbershop harmonies at Disneyland with Andy Williams back in the 60's.

Finally! The Brothers' fourth and fifth studio albums, respectively, The Crazy Horses/The Plan disc represents, by far, the most sophisticated music of the band to that point. I remember being caught off-guard the first time I listened to the Crazy Horses LP, listening a second and third time to be sure I'd heard right the first time. This was defintely NOT J-5 Lite or teenybopper bubblegum. Even now, listening to the entire album for the first time in over 30 years, the organic feel seems very honest and pure, from a band playing just because it feels good to play. Everybody recognizes "Crazy Horses", with its classic organ intro, driving rhythm, and signature guitar riff, and the chugging opening bars of "Hold Her Tight" (perhaps borrowed from Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song", although the melody's power pop sound and lyrics take the song in a different direction), but there are several other hidden gems here. Borderline country-rocker "Life is Hard Enough Without Goodbyes", with Merrill's rapsy lead vocal, haunting guitar intro and hook, and the longing of the harmony vocals, should've been released as a single (or at least covered by the Eagles). The tender ballad "And You Love Me" captures the euphoria of being in love while showing admirable restraint, and "Utah" is a partying garage-band homage to their home state. "That's My Girl" might almost be a love song from a father to a daughter. The only throwaway in the bunch is "Julie", which ends the LP on a weaker note than it deserves, but the point of "Big Finish" is well-taken. The days of "One Bad Apple" are long gone.The Plan was reissued a few years back, but its inclusion with Crazy Horses on this cd makes sense, for it helps show this inexplicably underrated band at its creative zenith. A concept album, The Plan reflects the band's spiritual journey, although the lyrics on most of the songs are ambiguous enough to be interpreted in a secular way. "Let Me In" showcases Merrill's soaring lead tenor over a lush arrangement of background harmony, while "One Way Ticket to Anywhere" is driven forward by Jay's insistent drumming and gruff (and underused) lead vocal. "Darlin'" is arguably one of the greatest pop love songs ever recorded. Wayne's baritone lead and foreboding guitar perfectly suit the dark, apocolyptic "Last Days", which is immediately followed by the hopeful, breezy "Goin' Home".The packaging and notes are a notch above previous Osmond reissues, which is appropriate considering this is a milestone year for the Osmonds as an entertainment icon. The sound quality is excellent (I believe these tracks were taken from the original masters, although that's not obvious from the notes).

These are the songs by which most of us first came to know who the Osmonds are. They are also the best songs of any that any of them have done throughout their careers. The sound quality of the CD is good but could be better. Even so, it is good enough that I love this CD. When I'm in my car now, I can escape for a while & just be a young girl with nothing but hope & dreams ahead. I can forget illnesses, deaths, & other heartbreaks. I wish I could thank them personally for that. I so wish the brothers had stayed together & continued to record. They sound so good together. We were all cheated because they didn't. I love this CD.

Came fast and sounds great

My older sister was obsessed with Merrill Osmond, and as a result, I heard all of The Osmond's records repeatedly throughout my childhood. This double CD has two of my favorites, and they do hold up. Crazy Horses has one of the loveliest, simplest ballads ever-- "And You Love Me," as well as some of the brothers' best rock songs. And The Plan, although I'm an atheist, is what I consider to be The Osmond's best work. The range of song styles within the captivating flow of the theme, the lofty tunes that meld into pure & vital rock, the supremely good instrumentation and harmonies, the clever, thoughtful lyrics, make this an album to love. Merrill's clear, expressive voice has lost nothing over time; these are some skillful singers, making music that is heartfelt and still stunning in scope.

The Osmonds have been my favorite singing group since 1970 so it’s great to have their albums on cd. Both of these albums sound great.

This is a great CD.

I love the majority of their songs. One on The Plan is one of my favorites.

My recent trek through the Osmond's music collection has really made me appreciate the band on so many different levels. The one that got me the most is this collection. The one that features the bands classics Crazy Horses and The Plan.The reasons why I think this album is miles ahead of their previous material is simple. It's not only more focused, but it clearly less commercial and has not only been performed entirely by the band, but all the songs were written by the group themselves. There's a clear cohesion between the Osmond brothers on both these albums and it really shows in songs like the metal classic Crazy Horse (yes, it's metal. Come at me!), the Led Zeppelin inspired Hold Her Tight, Life Is Hard Enough Without Goodbyes. There's more variety on The Plan but there isn't a weak song there and even though it has more of a religious overtone, it doesn't shove it down the listeners throat and is a respectable take on getting their message across.Like the other 7T's remasters, this one is just too loud and too trebly. It gets quite hard on the ear at some points. It did start to grind on me to the point I reduced the treble on my speakers to compensate. It really is a shame as I have heard these songs on vinyl and this sounds nowhere near as good. It would be a shame if this is the only CD versions out there for music lovers to pick up.Despite my major complaint, it's not bad enough for me to not recommend it. I still think this collection is great and both albums are worth picking up for fans of pop as well as rock. There's plenty of variety in these albums, they're all very well written, very well played and extremely underrated.

My sister was a massive Osmonds fan in the early 70's and I had no way of escaping their music or the Jackie magazine posters adorning her bedroom walls. Although at the time I kept telling her how awful they were I secretly did like some of the songs. 'Crazy Horses' for example was almost a heavy rock track about pollution which not a lot of bands were writing about at the time. 'Hold Her Tight' sounds like they had been listening to Led Zeppelin's 'Immigrant Song' and wanted to do something in that vein. Also there's 'Are You Up There?' with it's orchestral masterpiece is one of the highlights from 'The Plan' album. Sure some of the tracks on these albums are cringeable but that can be said about alot of stuff from 50 years ago even by some of the most respected bands and artists. This two album on one CD collection is great if you can forget about Osmondmania and just take it at face value as a largely great set of songs.

bought for my girlfriend as a xmas present,look at the rest of my reviews,this aint my normal cup of tea.But you know what ,this is actually pretty good,mostly easy listening not the boy band pap i thought it would be.2 albums on 1, the first CRAZY HORSES pretty decent,mostly standard 70's fayre,the title track was actually my first ever 7' single as a kid,way back then.Lets face it the screamin' guitars and wild keyboards pointed me on the right direcion towards Zeppelin/Purple etc ha ha.Disc 2 THE PLAN , one of my girlfriends favourite ever album,again mostly decent 70's music if some of this(( the laid back rock)the had been recorded by by the likes of the Doobies/Eagles etc,it would have been hailed as classics of the era.Its been a real pleasure listening to this a breathe of fresh air.pretty good sound quality and excellent liner notes.

I bought this because I heard an Osmonds track on the radio and it reminded me just how much I used to like them in the 70s. The crazy Horses CD I could live without to be honest - only like 2 tracks but The Plan ..... well .... it was the first cassette I ever owned. Why I went for a concept album who knows but I'm so glad I did - and 35 years on it's just like meeting an old friend again - I Love IT. Remembered all the words, and remembered how talented the group were. This album is just brilliant.

I bought this because I like the song 'crazy horses' and thought the album might contain other gems...and it does. A standout track for me is the ballad "And You Love Me'. I'd never heard it before. If you like the Osmonds this is a good deal and has an informative booklet with pictures of album and singles from the era. However, I've taken away 2 stars because of the sound quality. I noticed while wearing a good pair of headphones that it hasn't been remastered and sounds a little bit muffled. I have an earlier CD compilation of their greatest hits from 1996 and the songs like Let me In, and Crazy Horses etc. sound far better. It's a pity. A lost opportunity but a good deal I suppose.