Mountain
Avalanche
Rare & Collectible Vinyl Records

1974 Quadraphonic original. Mountain’s album “Avalanche,” released in 1974, stands as the final studio album from the original era of the pioneering American hard rock band. Recorded after a brief hiatus, this record marked the return of bassist and vocalist Felix Pappalardi to the group, rejoining founding guitarist Leslie West and drummer Corky Laing. “Avalanche” features a mix of new material and covers, notably including Mountain’s rendition of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” reflecting the band’s blues and rock roots. The album also introduced rhythm guitarist David Perry to the lineup, offering a fuller sound compared to earlier releases.

Viewed from a historical perspective, “Avalanche” arrives at a transitional moment in rock music, as the early 1970s hard rock scene began to evolve and fragment. While Mountain’s earlier albums, particularly “Climbing!” and “Nantucket Sleighride,” had solidified their reputation for heavy, riff-driven rock, “Avalanche” captured the band’s attempt to recapture their original energy amidst changing musical landscapes. Despite some positive reception for tracks like “Sister Justice” and “You Better Believe It,” the album did not achieve the commercial or critical heights of their previous works. Nevertheless, “Avalanche” remains a testament to the band’s musicianship and persistent influence on the development of hard rock and proto-metal, closing out Mountain’s classic era before the group would part ways again.