10 Amazing Albums (That Are Under 30 Minutes)
6. Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River
Creedence’s stock in trade was groove-laden swamp rock, a genre that lends itself primarily to baggy jams and lengthy songs that made up much of their previous release, Bayou Country. On Green River, their second album of 1969, they took a totally different approach, coming out with the most streamlined, fat-free album of their career.
Opening with the one-two punch of the title track and “Commotion”, CCR sound here like a band in a rush. The latter, particularly, sees John Fogerty sprint through a verse, chorus, and instrumental break in well under a minute as the incredible band play a tight shuffle beneath him.
Besides the pacy rockers, though, are the hits. There’s sentimental favourite “Wrote A Song For Everyone”, “Bad Moon Rising” - perhaps the band’s signature song - and the sweet, countrified “Lodi”.
They even take a moment for the psychedelic-leaning “Sinister Purpose”, a restless blues that shifts form every few bars. While maintaining much of a signature sound, it’s remarkable the level of variety the band could achieve.