Pavlov's Dog - Third (1977)

**Pavlov's Dog – Third (1977)**

Recorded in 1977 but shelved for decades, Third is the lost studio album by Pavlov's Dog. Intended as the follow-up to At the Sound of the Bell (1976), the record was never officially released at the time due to label issues and the band’s internal struggles. It eventually surfaced years later through archival and European releases, gaining legendary “lost album” status among prog collectors.

By this point, the band’s sound had shifted toward a more melodic, streamlined approach, blending progressive rock with AOR and art-pop sensibilities.

🎵 Album Tracklist

(Track listings vary slightly depending on later archival editions; the core recordings include:)

I Don't Need Magic Anymore
Summer is for Falling in Love
Winterblue
Hearts
Suicide
While You Were Out
Only You
Painted Ladies
Falling in Love

👥 Album Credits

Band Lineup (1977 sessions)

David Surkamp – lead vocals, guitar
Doug Rayburn – guitar
Rick Stockton – bass
Mike Safron – drums
Steve Levin – keyboards

Production

Produced during the band’s final Columbia-era period
Originally intended for release on Columbia Records

However, Columbia declined to release the finished album, leaving the recordings in limbo for years.

🎨 Album Cover – Artwork & Release History

Since Third was not officially released in 1977, it did not originally have a finalized commercial cover.

Later archival releases (particularly in Europe) featured:

Minimalist or band-photo-based artwork
Designs emphasizing its “lost album” mystique
Packaging that often referenced its original 1977 recording date

Unlike the iconic Afghan hound of Pampered Menial or the dramatic bell imagery of At the Sound of the Bell, Third has no universally recognized original cover concept.

🎼 Musical Style & Sound

By 1977, progressive rock was losing mainstream momentum as punk and new wave emerged. On Third, Pavlov’s Dog:

Shifted toward shorter, more direct song structures
Emphasized melodic hooks
Reduced extended prog experimentation
Leaned into emotional balladry

David Surkamp’s distinctive high tenor remains the defining element, still often compared to Geddy Lee of Rush—though Surkamp’s tone is softer and more romantic.

Tracks like “Winterblue” and “I Don’t Need Magic Anymore” showcase a more radio-friendly, late-’70s art rock sound.

📌 Fun Facts & Trivia

📀 1. The “Lost” Album

Third was fully recorded but shelved when Columbia lost confidence in the band’s commercial viability.

⚡ 2. End of the Classic Era

The album’s shelving effectively marked the end of Pavlov’s Dog’s original run.

🇩🇪 3. European Rediscovery

As with their earlier albums, European fans—especially in Germany—helped revive interest in the recordings years later.

🎤 4. Surkamp’s Vocal Peak

Many fans consider Surkamp’s performance on these sessions among his most emotionally mature.

🎸 5. Transitional Sound

The album captures the band between progressive ambition and late-’70s melodic rock accessibility.

🤔 Did You Know?

The band struggled financially during this period, despite critical acclaim.
Changing musical trends (punk, disco) made prog bands less attractive to major labels in 1977.
Bootleg copies of Third circulated among collectors before official archival releases appeared.
The album is often seen as a “what could have been” moment in American progressive rock.