The second album by Jackson Heights wasn't as nondescript as many similarly obscure efforts from bands led by musicians -- in this case, ex-Nice guitarist/bassist/singer Lee Jackson -- who pretty much vanished from the limelight after their stint with a famous group. Jackson also deserved some credit for being bold enough to move into directions in which the Nice weren't associated; 5th Avenue Bus is much more oriented toward singer/songwriter-type, folk-rock songs than the Nice ever were, with little of the art rock that the Nice helped pioneer in sight. Nonetheless, the record and its songs were kind of nondescript, as mildly pleasing as some of the singing and melodies were. Often the songs used vocal harmonies with a Crosby, Stills Nash/America flavor, though here sometimes used with mainstream early-'70s British rock arrangements, a combination that wasn't all that arresting. Other cuts like Luxford had a more suitable acoustic soft rock sound, though the songs themselves weren't knockouts. Ex-King Crimson drummer Michael Giles played on the record, though he didn't stretch his prog rock chops here too often, and there are only flashes here and there -- perhaps in Sweet Hill Tunnel, and the tensely wistful parts of Pastor Roger -- of the somber grandeur to which the Nice had once aspired. ~ Richie Unterberger, Rovi

1		Tramp
2		Dog Got Bitten
3		Autumn Brigade
4		Long Time Dying
5		Sweet Hill Tunnel
6		Laughing Gear
7		House in the Country
8		Rent a Friend
9		Luxford
10		Pastor Roger

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