Mother Lode (album)

Mother Lode is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Trapeze. It was released in 1974 on Warner Bros. Records. The album marks a shift in the band's sound towards a more commercially accessible hard rock direction, moving further away from their earlier blues-rock and psychedelic influences. Mother Lode features Glenn Hughes on bass and vocals, Mel Galley on guitar and vocals, and Dave Holland on drums. Key tracks from the album include "Coast to Coast," "Keepers of the Flame," and "Black Cloud." While not a major commercial success upon its initial release, Mother Lode is considered a notable album in Trapeze's discography and is appreciated by fans of 1970s hard rock. It showcased the band's musical versatility and Hughes's powerful vocals, elements that would later contribute to his success with Deep Purple.