The Ides Of March - Common Bond (1971) Remastered Reissue 2003

When this album was released, I had the pleasure of seeing MANY Ides shows in the Chicago area and the live performances of these songs are ingrained in my soul. This was/is the finest band from Chicago, hands down. As a drummer in a Chicago horn band myself, each new member of my band was taken to an Ides show and told that this was as good as it gets.

"Friends of Feeling" has always been my favorite Ides song and it is a shame that it has not worked its way into their current set list, but to hear it remastered in all of its glory makes up for that. Truer words about the inner workings of a band on the run were never written.

Although "Ogre" is not listed as one of the bands favorite songs, it has its charm and Mike Borch's drumming is flawless. The riff reminds one of "New Day Yesterday" from early Jethro Tull.

Currently a favorite of local Chicago radio, thanks to DJ Bob Stroud's resurrection of the song a few years ago and always a fan favorite of current Ides shows, "L.A. Goodbye" is as beautifully crafted as a song can be. Expert harmonies and thoughtful lyrics make this one unforgettable.

"Hymn for Her" shows the quiet and plaintive side of songwriter Peterik and beautiful performances from the whole band.

Even though the lyrics to "Mrs. Grayson's Farm" have frayed a bit at their patched denim edges, it is a fun romp through the whole 70's rock pantheon. It still evokes a smile.

"Superman" was the obligatory followup to "Vehicle" and all in all, holds up well with a brilliant middle eight. It is still performed occasionally with tongues planted firmly in cheeks.

Poco meets The Association on "We Are Pillows" for a playful uptempo tune about young love. Quote of the year-"Here we lie in a common place, not worried 'bout time, not worried 'bout the space- With nothing on but Doctor John and a pair of newfound smiles" is too rich.

The band shows their great versatility with "Prelude to Freedom" and "Freedom Suite" by shifting gears several times throughout and bringing about a harmony laden climax unparalelled by other bands of the time.

As the incense and patchouli drench our senses in "Tie-Dye Princess", take a moment to realize what a beautifully crafted piece of music this is. Enjoy the now retro lyrics as Mr. Peabody takes you on a trip with his time machine. Live, this song was a tour-de-force and still stands out as an example of rock brilliance.

For those who were not able to see this band live in the day, experience the Common Bond shared by these great performers on this CD and by all means check out theidesofmarch.com for this years model and make a point of catching all of these same performers breath life into their beautiful catalogue.

Needless to say, I love The Ides of March and this album is one of my favorites of all time.

Review by RC McWilliams, Amazon.com

The Ides of March's second album, Common Bond, was a more wide-ranging yet less consistent affair than their debut LP. On some of the tracks, they were obviously sticking to the Blood, Sweat & Tears-like format that had yielded their 1970 smash hit "Vehicle." Jim Peterik has even admitted that "Superman," initially released as the follow-up single to "Vehicle" almost a year before Common Bond came out, was an attempt to rewrite "Vehicle," as per Warner Bros.' wishes (though they managed to quote the riff to Jimi Hendrix's arrangement of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" in that track as well). Yet the album also contained the accurate Crosby, Stills & Nash imitation "L.A. Goodbye," which missed the Top 40 but was a huge hit in Chicago. Bombastic MOR pop balladeering also got a nod with "Hymn for Her," CSN were again aped in "We Are Pillows," and the 11-minute epic "Tie-Dye Princess" was the band's most progressive endeavor, kicking off with the timelessly dated couplet "Hail hail to the tie-dye princess, hail hail to the tie-dye queen!" All of the tracks from the LP have been reissued on the Rhino Handmade compilation Friendly Strangers: The Warner Bros. Recordings, which also has everything from their debut album (1970s Vehicle) and a few non-LP singles from the period. [This French release of the album contains bonus material.]

Review by Richie Unterberger, Allmusic.com