National Health- Binoculars & Phlâkatön REACTION & REVIEW 

Although it's been years since I've had my vinyl copy of this album, I remember that the notes for 'Binoculars' on the back cover explained that it was about one of their kids who, apparently, watched too much television. The notes also explained that the short track was meant to satisfy the increasing demands from record companies to include a drum solo on albums. Once again: Brilliant.

The poor sods complaining about the vocals here haven't understood the difference between Canterbury and Prog. Greaves delivers exactly what should be delivered here. It's not majestic, it's not overblown, it's not Jon Anderson drifting in outer space and showing off his multicoloured aura: it's relaxed like a sleepy Sunday afternoon in a British small town.

National Health! Hatfield and the North! Soft Machine! Beauty. Pip Pyle is awesome.

This is absolutely one of my favorite albums. It's brilliant.

Probably my favorite song on the album. Pip was a very under-rated drummer, and he also wrote the lyrics to this song.

Phlâkatön is one of Pip Pyle's drum fills in vocal form!!

I agree, there's some lovely instrumental work from all the band. I would describe the vocal style as 'conversational' or perhaps an inner monologue, looking at life in a slightly detached, reflective way from a distance ... as if through binoculars 😊.

National Health and Gong are my favourite Canterbury style bands, closely followed by Hatfield and the North. Phlâkatön is Pip Pyle's verbal drum solo. He's not underrated, he is viewed as a pre-eminent drummer along with Pierre Moerlen.

I remember John Greaves being pissed when they appeared on OGWT. Dave Stewart had left for Bruford and returned briefly for the performance.

Said it before, will say it again - this album is the perfect blend of Hatfield & the North and Henry Cow, this track especially the perfect extension of Hatfield's more catchy melodic aspect ...

Ive always loved how dance-able alot of the music from this album is, one of the best albums to come out of the canterbury band for sure ^^

So powerful and beautiful ! Without taking itself too seriously. Amazing. Thanks !!!

RIP Pip, he played with Absolute Zero later in life which I like a lot. Dave's Fender Rhodes playing is like star dust and sparkles.

What an album, one of my favourite ever with the unbelievable Bryden 2-step in contrast to Binoculars. The track stood out on first listen and I just love the lyrics and vocal delivery, as well as the superb musicianship throughout. I would recommend anyone who seriously loves music to listen to National Health, I would love to have seen them live.

The opening has aspirations of the opening of "Watcher of the Skies" by Genesis, but with an organ sound instead of Mellotron.

Pip Pyle is an amazing drummer

'Binoculars' is a grower - many years after first hearing it, its lyricism and melody combined with witty words have stuck with me. The space that would normally be filled with virtuosic intensity allows a contemplative mood to settle. Flute and clarinets are by Jimmy Hastings (brother of Pye Hastings from Caravan) who has an innate musicality in its phrasing and underplaying. As well as being an outstanding drummer, Pip Pyle's lyrics bring wry humour (as he did with Hatfield and The North) with which he wrote 'Share It', 'The Yes/No Imterlude'; and 'Fitter Stoke Has A Bath'.

What a fun watch! To me this song was love at first listen, and still it kept growing on me, I’d say It’s my favorite but the whole album is perfect to me.

I love to invite this album to join me in my headphones. It's a musical conversation full of wit and expertise. You may wish to look into Pip Pyle's album "Seven Year Itch" or his band Equipe Out.

Evening, Justin. Dave from London. Love What You Do. When I last visited Canterbury, we went to a pizza restaurant, and they had run out of toppings! Make of that what you will. This is a terrific track - complex yet warm and melodic. I love Dave Stewart's chord progressions, but you're right that Pip Pyle's drumming steals the show. P.S. my song ref Love What You Do is by The Divine Comedy, whose singer Neil Hannon sounds a bit like the 'crooner' here.

Pip Pyle has always been underrated as a drummer. In many ways he was a more authentic jazz drummer than Bill Bruford, The other great in this sphere was John Marshall (RIP). John Greaves' vocals might be an acquired taste, but they are spot on for this song.

There's plenty of song in that one for years to come. Hearing John Wayne mentioned (if you've watched old Westerns, you might've seen him in a six-gun fight or so), however, made me think of *Smut* - which is a slightly silly song by Australian band *Skyhooks* - which is more pop, but with lashings of a quite Canterbury sound dolloped on top - not a good image to use, given the subject matter. With warnings implied, here's a link to the song, which will show you why the above. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-WoE8m4nTqsw.html

Everyone needs a National Health policy 😊

Legend Pip🥁❤

There is a recording with Richard Sinclair on vocals. I like both NH albums. They were far too good to last long or have big commercial success.

Justin, remember this is their second album. The debut,National Health is much different vocally. Imagine Annie Haslam singing with them. Actually, it’s Amanda Parsons from Hatfield and The North in the Northettes. I absolutely love both but prefer the debut because I heard it first in 1978 and I love female vocals in Prog anyway. Please play the first one.

Very good album, it was a positive surprise, when i heard it when the youtube algorithm blessed me with it back in 2014. Very progressive and with that Canterbury in"fusion" :)

Parts of this reminded me of 'Get 'em Out by Friday' by Genesis.

Why does Britain have National Health while the US has Anthrax?

Another gem from the album that just keeps on giving. All good stuff, but that bass, flute, keys... proper standout.

Such a great album.

This song would not be out of place on a Hatfield record.

Check out Mumps by Hatfield & THe North. Same band but for a different bass player (Richard Sinclair from Caravan & Camel), it's wonderful.

Outside of Gong, who i've never associated with the 'movement' these Canterbury bands do nothing for me!

Great music spoiled by terrible vocals.