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If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules

by Budgie

Released: April 23, 1976

Hard rock, Blues rock, Progressive rock, Jazz rock

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Breakthrough.

The Album

"If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules" is the sixth studio album by Welsh hard rock band Budgie. It marks a notable shift from the band's usual heavy metal sound towards more progressive elements, resulting in a more melodic music style. Founding members Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge were joined by drummer Steve Williams and rhythm guitarist Myf Isaac, after the departure of Pete Boot and Andy Fairweather Low.

Inside the Recording

The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and was the first to feature a new lineup. Released in April 1976, the album was produced by Budgie with engineer Richard Manwaring.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Its most notable tracks include "Anne Neggen", "Sky…

Its most notable tracks include "Anne Neggen", "Sky High Percentage", and the title track "If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules".

Watch and listen

Explore the Album

Budgie - If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules

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Then

Reception

However, commercial success of the album was modest. The name of the album consists of a pun on the phrase "Britannia rules the waves." The album received mixed reviews from critics. Despite the changes in musical direction, it was praised as a brave and ambitious effort, while others criticized it for being less heavy than previous albums.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules" is the sixth studio album by Welsh hard rock band Budgie. Released in April 1976, the album was produced by Budgie with engineer Richard Manwaring. It marks a notable shift from the band's usual heavy metal sound towards more progressive elements, resulting in a more melodic music style.

The album was recorded at Rockfield Studios in Wales and was the first to feature a new lineup. Founding members Burke Shelley and Tony Bourge were joined by drummer Steve Williams and rhythm guitarist Myf Isaac, after the departure of Pete Boot and Andy Fairweather Low. The name of the album consists of a pun on the phrase "Britannia rules the waves."

The album received mixed reviews from critics. Despite the changes in musical direction, it was praised as a brave and ambitious effort, while others criticized it for being less heavy than previous albums. Its most notable tracks include "Anne Neggen", "Sky High Percentage", and the title track "If I Were Brittania I'd Waive the Rules". However, commercial success of the album was modest.