"New! Improved!" is the third studio album by American rock band Blue Cheer, released in 1969. The album is notable for its heavy and loud sound, characteristic of Blue Cheer's pioneering approach to what would later be recognized as heavy metal and hard rock.
The album features a mix of original compositions and cover songs, showcasing the band's ability to reinterpret and infuse their own style into well-known tracks. Notable covers include Eddie Cochran's "Summertime Blues" and the traditional blues song "Rock Me Baby."
"New! Improved!" is part of Blue Cheer's early discography, which played a crucial role in influencing the development of heavy metal. The band's use of powerful, distorted guitar riffs and a generally aggressive sound set them apart during a time when such sonic characteristics were relatively novel in the rock music landscape.
While Blue Cheer underwent various lineup changes over the years, "New! Improved!" captures the band during a period when they were making significant contributions to the evolving sound of rock music, particularly in the heavier and more distorted realms.
