Leading off where its predecessor âDouble Densityâ started, âThought For Foodâ marked the second album from the Björn Lodin / Nikolo Kotzev line up Baltimoore and its 12 tracks signal a harder darker album than its predecessor, despite making more use of Hammond Organ and keyboard. The album also saw the bands sound move more into more European waters, with the contrast between Lodinâs more personalised song writing style and Kotzevâs more straight-ahead hard rock fare being more noticeable than on the pairings first outing together. âThought For Foodâ also marked the appearance of current Europe drummer Ian Haughland in the band for the first time.
Lodinâs opener âFull Speed Aheadâ is, as the name implies, a scorching opening number with a scalding guitar riff augmented by Hammond Organ and a blistering bottom end. This is contrasted nicely by Kotzevâs more American sounding âWhite Queenâ with its more stop/start riffery and instrumentation. The radio friendly âWith A Will Of My Ownâ (penned by Lodin) is a good example of Björnâs personalised story telling lyrical style and home to a good time rock nâ roll chorus. The ballad âAloneâ sees Kotzev break out the acoustic guitar to weave some magic with keyboards intertwined before Lodin delivers a vocal which recalls the laidback soulful moments of Robert Plant. The track then moves into electric waters which see the classic nature of the track blossom. âTake Me To The Topâ is a fans favourite and one listen its easy to see why, a killer hook for the chorus a driving riff powered along nicely by Hammond Organ do the business on all levels. âLucky Riverâ is a hard pounding rocker with another addictive chorus and a smoking guitar solo. âIts Just My Attitudeâ exhibits the darker yet funkier side of Lodinâs craft before âTry To Change To Betterâ is classic song writing in every sense with a delicate verse and contrasting chorus and overall shows a finely tuned track. The Deep Purple meets early Whitesnake vibe of âRich Manâ sees Kotzev wearing his traditional hard rock influences before âCalling You Closerâ sees Lodin deliver a darker number with more scorching riffs. The pedal to the metal âMen We Trustâ is the album heaviest number with Lodin spitting out the lyrics with venomous glee. Just when you think things will ease âLike Rolling A Cigaretteâ is a collection of riffs Lodin had from childhood that he worked into a song, an addictive chorus is by now a familiarity but even this one seems to sizzle more than most other bands. Kotzevâs closer âPictures I Have Seenâ ends the album in epic style to classy effect.
Lodin and Kotzev split shortly after the release of the album and the band would go on hiatus until 2000âs comeback Original Sin which saw Lodin start a new phase for Baltimoore.