Hard 'n' Heavy

Scottish road rockers Nazareth soared through their most successful days in the indulgent '70s, and their debauched, cowbell-friendly hard rock suited the age perfectly. Though they never reached the same heights as their mid-'70s stadium days, the band persevered through the decades, their popularity waning in the U.S. to the point where some albums were only released in Europe. Hard 'n' Heavy gathers together 18 tracks spanning some of the earliest albums to late-2000s output, including tracks from many less widely heard '80s and '90s albums. Included is the band's 1975 calling card groover and FM radio staple "Hair of the Dog," but sadly omitted is power ballad "Love Hurts." ~ Fred Thomas