Classic Rock Discussion thread, including Catfish's Top 20 Lists.

[catfish1957]

@catfish1957


Think 100 bucks is too generous and he hasn't answered because he thinks it might be a scam?

I have heard that if someone came forward and offered the broken neck of Hendrix' Strat he used at Monterey after Wild Thing, it might fetch One Million Dollars at auction. That for a half a broken guitar.

The record for memoribillia for Pink Floyd, is the orginal artwork (painting) of "The Wall" went for $1.85M.

You might want to up your offer for Gilmour's ax a tad.   

[sneakypete]

I have heard that if someone came forward and offered the broken neck of Hendrix' Strat he used at Monterey after Wild Thing, it might fetch One Million Dollars at auction. That for a half a broken guitar.

The record for memoribillia for Pink Floyd, is the orginal artwork (painting) of "The Wall" went for $1.85M.

You might want to up your offer for Gilmour's ax a tad.   

@catfish1957

You trying to harsh my buzz,dood?

Words like your gets back to Gilmore,who is so rich he probably hasn't counted out money for anything in years,100 bucks might seem like a good deal.

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day- Steve Miller Band- Book of Dreams (1977). *** 1/2

As you may have noticed in my Top 20 lists, I was never a great fan of Steve Miller.  Good music, but not one of those bands that had me clamoring at my record store for the next new release.  However, this band hit pay dirt with one particular work that was 3-4X better than anything else in the category.  Book of Dreams was pulled out of the ass, with some songwriting prowess that sure wasn't present in anything or after by the band.

Album did very well, hitting No.2 on billboard during the height of Disco-mania.  1977 airwaves were filed with this album.  About 6 songs got serious air play.  Ranked in blue, these are the recommended cuts:  (Also sorry for the cracking album, this was the only YT video that  had it in it'z entirety. Now let yourself get lost back to 1977, with some fine songwriting. In fact to give you an idea.  SM's Greatest Hits Album has 7 cuts from this LP


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvbW_e6icJo

1. Swingtown- 08:42- 12:31- Super Rocking Tune that has memsmerizing repeitive drum line starting and finishing that seems to soothe into some absolutely classic hooks.  Maybe's SM's best Moog work too for melodic beauty.

2. Threshold/Jet Airliner 0:00- 05:40-  More just legendary hook.  Miller rocks, and this tinue is just another example of consistence that was absent from all his other works.  Steve Miller had other good songs and hits, but this is the one you want if pressed.

3. The Stake- 28:30- 32:19-  Awesome blusey song that may actually the best musicanshp on the LP.  How many of us told our girlfriends  singing along.....   "Nobody Loves You Like I Do". SM didn't do much solo guitar on this album, but with the exception of this tune,  and it comes off nicely.

4. True Fine Love- 12:32- 15:14 Standard stock rocker- Good stuff.

5. Wintertime- 05:42- 08:40- Slow rocking and very listenable.  Augments well with the other tracks.

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day- Green Day- American Idiot (2005). ***

Since we are kind of on a theme of once in a career inspirational gems.  Here is another sterling example.  Honestly, I think 90% of Green Day's music is shit. Uninspired formulaic punk music, and unfunny when the intent was to be funny.  Add to the fact these POS' are flaming vocal socialist liberals doesn't endear me to their standing or legacy.

Still, I do have to give props, when they are due, and this once in a lifetime work is maybe the best Rock Opera prepared since The Who, Tommy/Quadrophenia era. In some cases it seemed the boys actually got some music lessons.  Time and Key changes, midphasic melodic transitions, and a number of other neat music treats and tricks that actually make this a really good album.  GD fans may slam me, but I almost suspect they didn't compose this album.  Too Good, Too different, and some actual intellect put into the lyrics, and melody building.

Incredibly there is not one weak track on the album.  Zero filler.  And thus this in my opinion might be the best modern rock LP out there, along with Blink's Enema of the State.

The whole albums is very listenable, but if you want the very best, listen to the 2 long opus'  Homecoming and Jesus of Suburbia.  For familiarity, you might want to listen and remember the track Wake Me When September Ends.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60CRF5yIvso

[catfish1957]

Watched an Elizabeth II documentary, and saw where McCartney help emcee the Jubilee Celebration in 2012.

The same Paul McCartney who composed this piece on Abbey Road in 1969:               

         Her Majesty

Her Majesty is a pretty nice girl
But she doesn't have a lot to say
Her Majesty is a pretty nice girl
But she changes from day to day

I wanna tell her that I love her a lot
But I gotta get a belly full of wine
Her Majesty is a pretty nice girl
Someday I'm gonna make her mine, oh yeah
Someday I'm gonna make her mine.

Considering his Knighthood too, I guess QE2, wasn't into grudges.

[Gefn]

I wonder which Beatle QEII liked best.

I’m guessing Paul snd Ringo

[LMAO]

Classic Album of the Day- Styx- Grand Illusion. (1977)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Paz-DMs2EY

If you have watched the Top 20 lists, you will notice that I really enjoyed late '70's Styx.  The 3 album consecutive tandem of Equinox- Crystal Ball- Grand Illusion-Pieces of 8, was about as good as it got in the era. Styx was a commerically tinged Prog act, who had a great lineup, and really blew it away during these 3 of 4 albums

But here is the rub, the band's artistic direction during their hay day, devolved into a battle between James Young and Dennis DeYoung.  JY wanted to take and keep the band on the hard rock track.  DeYoung OTOH, was hell bent on taking them down the shitty path of soft rock and crappy ballads.  In the end DeYoung won that battle,  and why now Styx's legacy was overall tarnished.

To go from Equinox-Grand Illusion-Pieces of 8 to....  Cornerstone-Paradise Theatre-Killroy was Here, was suicidal.   

I could have picked any of the 3.  Equinox was the most edgy, but most uneven,  Pieces of 8 the most progged, but with more filler.  So I decided to go with Grand Illusion, which filled many many hours of listening in 1977-78.  What is nice too, is the album is spread nicely between their 3 excellent songwriters (Dennis DeYoung-James Young-Tommy Shaw)  And as usually, tracks are ranked in.
blue.

Side 1- 

Grand Illusion- Title Track hits home nicely Strong majestic organ/guitar.  Great harmonization, that becomes a major trait of the album too. Such an upbeat song too. Love the final almost promenade type ending that has fantastic organ/guitar interplay.  This is my 3rd favorite Styx song behind Suite Madame Blue, and I'm Okay.  1

Fooling Yourself (Angry Young Man).  Tommy Shaw takes center stage. Melodic wonder in 6/8 Time.  Musical shifts are masterful, and takes so  many forms and fashions.  5

Superstars- Group collaboration that hits on all cylinders.  Really good feeling song.  And folks, this is an incredibly consistent good album to listen too. 4

Come Sail Away-  Maybe Styx's most famous and popular song in their entire catalog.  If you in into ballads, this is a really good.  Personally, this got so much damned air play in the day, that I got sick of it.  The majority of you probably will rank this song much higher on the LP.  6

Side 2-

Miss America-  Fantastic JY tune.  Beside's his social commentary around the beauty pagent industry.  Young puts together most rocking tune on the LP.  Great searing synth and guitar solos mid song are worth price of admission. 2

Man in the Wilderness- Not that this is tepid, but not really Shaw's best work.  90% is MOR balladish, but the final minute of the song rocks with some good solo work though. 7

Castle Walls- A Dennis Deyoung ballad that balances synth and guitar, much like the earlier Shaw number.  Maybe the weakest cut on the LP. By now you kind of get an idea of how the band differences are turning this band into Jeklyll/Hyde persona  8

The Grand Finale-  Excellent and powerful , though short summation of end of a great album.  Styx knew they nailed this. 3

Again, I can not express how big an ass hole Dennis DeYoung is for destroying Styx.  Today, they are a mostly forgotten band.  In the land of classic rock, legacy has to do with how true to your fans you were.  DeYoung wrongly thought the band's fan base was 14 year old girls who love sappy crappy love ballads.  Was he ever wrong, and it has sadly cost them. 

I thought it was interesting that the  (3/5) remaining band members (minus DeYoung and Panzo) decided in 2012 to play live Grand Illusion and Pieces of 8 live in album order for nostalgic purposes.  I loved it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9QfV55XOLg

Your opinion of Styx was the same as mine and my friends at the time. Love those albums that you listed. And then when Kilroy was Here came out, it was a huge letdown

[catfish1957]

Classic Rock Album of the Day- Bloodrock- Bloodrock 2 (1970). *** 1/2

If I was conducting the Top 20 lists 3 years earlier,one of the top bands listed would have been this one - Bloodrock-  Bloodrock was a Dallas based hard rock and blues ensemble who dominated underground rock in the very early 1970's.  Bands like this one, Grand Funk, Black Sabbath, and of course Led Zeppelin weaned Rock listeners from the grips of Sgt. Pepper/Magical Mystery Tourish like Beatle like clones that absolutely flooded the airwaves in the mid to late 1960's.

It was a mystery how this particular band's legacy faded, while the other bands I mentioned still have stlll enormous aiplay on classic rock stattions.  What I especailly loved about Bloodrock was their perfection of the wailing dual guitaring that was similar to the Clapton/Duane Allman stuff happening about the same time.

But why?  Seems their chops, especially in the songwriting  area, really went weak, especially after Blood Rock 3.  And to be honest, 2 and 3 are really the only classics in the catalog.

The albums controversial claim to fame was D.O.A. the 8 1/2 chronicle of a plane crash that goes into gory painstaking detail.  Was it an albm sales gimmick?  Maybe, but to a 13 year old kid, I thought it was pretty damned cool.  But again, this LP has some great hard rock hooks, intertwined with some insane dueling guitar work.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mab_M1d2zX4

Side 1-

Lucky in the Morning- Really good solid opening tune that has some of the best percussion midway.  -3

Cheater- Though the tempo slows the searing ax rings out though most of the song.  Lee Pickens was definitely on his game on this one- 5

Sable and Pearl-  Terrible strangled sounding singing in a hodgepodge of styles.  I think the band in the vein of trying to sound versatile, really missed the mark.  Filler?  Yep.  7

Fallin'- Great tune-  Band hits on all cylinders and each instrument almost in synce lets all hell break out.  The solo mix of  guitar shreds with the hammond just is bad ass.  1

Side 2-

Children's Heritage- Solid Solid rocker, with that rolling drum beat that you just knew the band would use this as their radio piece- 4

Dier Not a Lover-   Another great tune that takes a chaotic rock blend of great organ  and guitar.   Song has veryntypical type Terry Knight production.  You can hear a lot of Grand Funk (And Knight produced band) in it -2

D.O. A. -  In 1970, i thought this was unique and ground breaking.  50+ years later, I and probably almost everyone else sees this as nothing but a "novelty" tune. 6

Fancy Space Odyssey- Band needlessly tries to captiualize on the 2001- A Space Odyssey. Some might find the hooks a tad catchy, but IMO filler classifiation- 8



As a bonus, i have found on YT, maybe the only single known clip of Bloodrock playing live early in their career.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMTQt_bAOPc

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day-  James Gang- Rides Again (1970). ****

This is such a great iconic LP, that was so far ahead its time.  Walsh is no doubt one of the greatest slide guitarist ever, and this album by far showcases that talent immensely.  This was the pinnacle of his career as a band leader.  And the fact he gave the Eagles (finally) a rock and roll edge, has impacted rock and roll history more than anyone realizes.

This album had several tunes that got FM airplay, and I can remember so many of them on Beaker Street back in the day.

Side 1-

Funk #49- The Gang's first signature song, and a hell of a rocker. Was the '45 on the album.  Looking it up, it only rached #59 on the charts.  Of course, The James Gang never really a band of mainstream rock success.  Walsh did much better commercially as a solo act later in the decade.  3

Asshton Park- 2 minute instrumental  blusey ditty that has pretty much signature meter and technique Walsh is known for- 6

Woman- Another solid rocker, taken a slight notch down.  Really solid bass lines, Walsh's supporting cast often did not get their due. 4

The Bomber/Closet Queen/Bolero'/Cast Your fate to the Wind- Walsh's greatest tune.  An absolutely song writing tour de' powerful, with great riffs, mesmerizing slide guitar solos, and even a infusion of Ravel's Bolero that just make this song one of the greatest of the very early 1970's.  I mean wow, this was actually recorded in 1969, released 1970.  This song never gets old, and is timeless. 1

Side 2-

Tend My Garden-  On most other bands, this would be #1 song.  Band beautifully uses Hammond to season this classic.  Listen to the riff lines, seems Scholz and his band Boston may have lifted a little too much on More Than a Feeling.  Hmmmm  maybe, maybe not.  This is a ballad of greatness, and I don't say that too often. 2

Garden Gate- Guthrie like short tune, that is not in the Gang's wheel house.  Maybe the weakest on what is a pretty damned good album- 8

There I Go Again-  Didn't give this song much thought in the day, but it seems to have found some resurgence in Classic Rock era. 7

Thanks- Sure there had to be some filler.  Weak work. 9

Ashes and Rain and I- Nice ballad that incorporates strings in very innovative and simple ways.  Straight mandolin and acoustic blended with orchestral backing, very odd, but effective.  5


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aug9x4VF0Qs

[berdie]

I hadn't thought of that album in years! It was one of my favorites back in the day. I wore out an 8 track playing it.

Thanks for posting!

[catfish1957]

I hadn't thought of that album in years! It was one of my favorites back in the day. I wore out an 8 track playing it.

Thanks for posting!

@berdie

Wasn't it a great album?  I know every album can't have the consistency of Led Zeppelin IV, but you got to give kudos to bands who can at least fill over half an album with solid rock and roll.  The high point for me was Walsh's incredibly innovative way of incorporating Bolero into a great rock and roll tune.

I do have an interesting Walsh tale.....

Back in about 1977 or 1978 I guess, Walsh while solo, did a concert in my town.  I don't think I went because I had to study for a test the next day    Well, at 2 am, that night me and a group of friends went to our favorite  24 hour coffee shop to caffiene up for more cramming, and guess who we saw there... Four tables over....  Joe Walsh and his band. 

What I saw was quite a spectacle.  Walsh was eating his oat meal with his hands, and all kind of food was spread all over everwhere at their table.  These guys were major league wasted.  He had food on his face, hair......everywhere.  They couldn't even talk...  they were grunting and snorting.  At the end of their meal, their Limo driver had to basically carry them out.  Heck one had even passed out.

Life's Been Good.....   (I guess?)

[berdie]

No doubt about it, Joe was a mess at one time.

My brother worked at an upscale hotel. One of the few in the city that would let him stay. Most people got wake up calls. He got "time to go to bed now" calls. He always, good naturedly would say...okay. I do think they finally had to ban him, lol.

It's always been amazing to me how he (and some others) could maintain such musical ability under such circumstances.

[catfish1957]

Classic Rock Album of the Day- Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)   ****

Def Leppard was an anomoly by being stuck in an era where prepice of mainstream arena rock and roll had become much formula and tired.  OTOH, this band put together this gem, whcih is is maybe the best LP of the late '80's. The band had put together a good run throughout the '80's, but this one particular LP is their best and most consistent.

What set DL apart and unique was their homage to the glam era, but plastered almost in a metal base that was so powerful.  This particular album sold 17M units.  Huge, popular, and massively played in the late '80;s.

I'll leave the general commentary off this time, and just say that there are 6 absolutely fine tunes worth a listen or relisten if you remember.  I don't think you'll be disapointed....

Track 2- Rocket- Specific tribute to their late '60's and early '70's glam rock roots.
Track 3- Animal
Track 4- Love Bites
Track 5- Pour Some Sugar on Me- Arguably DL's greatest tune.
Track 6- Armageddon It
Track 8- Don't Shoot Shotgun
Track 10- Hysteria

Crazy is that ls that all 7 of these cuts get airplay in classic rock radio today.  That is how big a classic Hysteria was....


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jz46SJm5Kp0

[Gefn]

Def Leppard is without a doubt one of the best bands from last century, and I recall buying both records and cassette tapes of “Pyromania” and “High and Dry” from Sam Goody.

Nice synopsis @catfish1957

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day- Chicago Transit Authority (1969)  *** 1/2

As a musician, and primarily a trombone player (high school/university) I had a huge affinity and love for early Chicago.  Well at least the first 8 albums.  With a significant infusion of jazz in their style, I understand that this is not every rock fans cup of tea.  But I envisioned myself as James Pankow and even attenuated my horn in his style.

Not many can claim Chicago's longevity, 38 studio albums at last look. Not much of a fan, post 1980....  But they did put some great tunes that parlayed every style in the 1970's.  To demonstrate their legacy, here is a paragraph from Wikipedia with their resume'

To date, Chicago has sold over 40 million units in the U.S., with 23 gold, 18 platinum, and eight multi-platinum albums.[8][9][10] They have had five consecutive number-one albums on the Billboard 200[11] and 20 top-ten singles on the Billboard Hot 100.[12] In 1974 the group had seven albums, its entire catalog at the time, on the Billboard 200 simultaneously.[13] The group has received ten Grammy Award nominations, winning one for the song, "If You Leave Me Now".[14] The group's first album, Chicago Transit Authority, released in 1969, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2014.[15] The original line-up of Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.[16] In 2017, Peter Cetera, Robert Lamm, and James Pankow were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame for their songwriting efforts as members of the music group.[17][18] Chicago received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award on October 16, 2020.[19][20]

I chose this album because it had some of its most iconic early songs like Beginnings, Does Anyone Know What Time Is?, Questions 67 and 68, and I'm a Man.  OTOH, there are dozens and dozens of minutes of solo work that kind of does give this double album a prententious feel.   But to the uninitiated, the first album is your best sample.  The next 8 or 9, all have the characteristic of having 2 or 3 really good songs, but obviously with filler too. Post 1980?..numerous lineup changes (23 in their history) hurt the sound and continuity of the band's intent.  I usually hate and don't recommend compliation or Greatest Hits Albums, but Chicago is a good band for that type of consumption.

I also like the fact that these guys were really ahead of their time, and gave rise to several "like" bands like Blood Sweat and Tears, Ides of March, et. al.  In any case, if you were around back in '69, this one is sure to resurrect some memories......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4dQcjoVUfE

[Gefn]

@catfish1957

Have you ever though5 of publishing your music reviews professionally?

They’re good, interesting , informative and a pleasure to read.

[catfish1957]

@catfish1957

Have you ever though5 of publishing your music reviews professionally?

They’re good, interesting , informative and a pleasure to read.

Very kind and generous comment.  Thank You.

But there are a whole lot others out there more knowledgeable, and better writers than I on this subject.  This is just for fun.

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day- Led Zeppelin III- (1970).  *****

This album and I have had a strange and up and down POV throughout the years.  Way way back when this was released, almost all of us based our album purchases on what we heard from the band on the radio.  And when I first heard "Immigrant Song" I was blown away.  Here was more of the bombastic heavy stuff we heard and loved on I and II.

So when when this 13 year old unwrapped his copy of the LP I was sickened by what I thought was an alter-ego or joke of what was the greatest rock band in the world.  Even into the late 70's, early '80's with the abrupt end of Zeppelin, I considered this by far their worst work.  But boy howdy after a decade or 2 that view changed.  I finally realized this was music of the genius, flexibility, and breadth of Jimmy Page.  Now, I see this as the second best album after IV.

It took easy 20 years to appreciate the wide range of strings and styles that Page used to create some of the most unique music of the early '70's.  Yes, it was strange and eclectric, but OTOH, it hit every box that every Zep fan loves.  There's heavy metal, traditonal British folk, Back breaking blues....   Yes ladies and gentlemen ...   this is the ultimate Zeppelin album.  And is with IV,  there is no filler.  Every cut is awesome.  Another point in almost a concept thread is how Page partioned this LP.  Side One favored more tradional Rock and Blues, while Side 2 went hog wild into British Traditonal Folk.

And this album, along with Rust Never Sleeps, is why my favorite instrument to play by far is the 12 String.

Here is the synopsis of the LP, and ranking.  All the songs are great. Enjoy, and see why so many people consider this band the GOAT.

Side 1-

Immigrant Song-  Awwwyeeeawww Awwwww  Awwwyeeeawwww Awwwww!!!!!!  No mistaking or missinng this great heavy classic.  The one that got airplay.  And the one cut that best mimicked earlier Zep work.  1

Friends- Folksy, Bluesy, rocky ditty with what comes across almost a mellotronish filler that gives a haunting feel to this one.  Plant intentionally screnches his voice up up half an octave.  Very strange song, but effective in giving the mysterious Zep aura.  9

Celebration Day-  Which then awesomely phases half chromatically via slide into maybe the straightest rocker on the LP.  Wow...  6

Since I been Loving You.- I know many who consider this the greatest Zep blues tune in  their career.  Even better than some of the classics that dominated I and II.   Page throws in a fantastic shredder solo mid way.  I am not an obsessive fan of pure blues, but this is damned good even for rockers. 8

Out on the Tiles-  Anoter fantastic rocking song when awesome hooks. Bonham's drums are sadly overlooked by critics on most of this LP, due to Page's showcasing. But if you listen pretty closely, there is some damn hard to do drumming going on right here. 2

Side 2-

Gallows Pole-  Traditonal UK folk song that Page transcribed into a clinic on strings....   Guitars, Mandolins, 12 Stings, even Banjos.  Yeah folks its all there. And it is a toe tapping tribute to versailty and genius of Jimmy Page.  I hated this and most of side 2, 50 years ago.  Now there is no to underestimate it's greatness. 3

Tangerine-  Page's most beautiful ballad for Zep.  The 12 string blending in and switching with wah wah is incredible.  The solo blend of JPJ and Page at the end is magnificent. 5

That's the Way- Ever hear and have a song that ever throws you back into time and retrospection? This beautiful tune is like a 1972 time machine for me.  I don't know or understand why, but for some reason, I have difficulty holding back the tears when listening.  Maybe its the melancholy tone or message. 4

Bron-Y-Aur Stomp- Band puts on their Celtic traditonal fare- Love that they haven't forgotten their roots, when in 1970, that probably wasn't viewed as very cool.  10

Hats Off To Roy Harper-  This song eptimozies the absolute talent of Zep.  Plant and Page basically put together a tribute to 1920's and 1930's Delta Blues by recreating the sound, as it would have came across recorded then.  Complete with fret distortion, and voice inflection of a tin can microphone.  Newbs would think this sucks.  I recocognize the genius. 7


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85xPrpGOhao

[sneakypete]

@catfish1957

Directed to everyone else,as well.

Led Zepllin is back on tour and tickets are for sale now.

[catfish1957]

@catfish1957

Directed to everyone else,as well.

Led Zepllin is back on tour and tickets are for sale now.

I know..... I know.....   You made me look (Google)

[Hoodat]

@catfish1957

Directed to everyone else,as well.

Led Zepllin is back on tour and tickets are for sale now.

The last time I bought a Zeppelin ticket, the drummer died shortly after.

[Hoodat]

Classic Album of the Day- Led Zeppelin III- (1970)

Celebration Day is one of my favorites.

[catfish1957]

In honor of the late Christine Perfect McVie who died yesterday at the age of 79.

In tribute, I am providing what I felt was her finest example of song writing.  A song that pretty much has been overlooked through time.  This one was from 1979s Tusk...

Written and sung by her.

Haunting and soulful delivery with a eery band fade feel in the background.  This tune brings back so many memories.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hz4ixHvXl5g

[Free Vulcan]

This is what I loved about her songwriting. Everything she did was laid back, like a lazy carefree Sunday summer afternoon on a Monday-holiday weekend. Stuff that you could just groove to.

Always such a nice pairing to the mega-powerhouse hits.

[catfish1957]

Classic Album of the Day- Foreigner- IV- 1981  *** 1/2

I don't think you will find many now days, who feel that Foreigner was one of the greatest or even part of the upper echeleon of 1970's Rock's golden age.  Honestly, they were highly formulative, corporate, and  uninspiring in a good line share of their catalog.  Still, out of the lot, IV was a hook making machine.  It didn't have any tunes as good as "Hot Blooded", but as far as consistence, and what I call "minimal filler", this LP loosly qualifes as a legit classic.

There is no denying the populatiry of Foreigner....   All 5 of their first 5 LP's all made the U.S. Billboard, including this one that reached No. 1. And their only one to reach No.1.  Part of the chemistry issues, is that like Asia, Foereigner was formed from the fragments of these bands...  Spooky Tooth, King Crimson Black Sheep, others.  Not that childhood commradary is a prerequiste for being a great band, but life experiences in the earliest always seems to gel these bands.  This particular album also included one of the greatest sax session men of all time grinding it on "Urgent".  And Larry Fast, synth extrondinarre.  And finally, it sure didn't hurt to have Mutt Lange producing this thing.  Lange has a extensive portfolio of classic albums that include the lights from Def Leppard, AC-DC-, and The Cars. 

Side 1

Night Life-  Banging rocker, and first with awesome hooks and licks.  4

Juke Box Hero-  One of the Great Foreginer Tunes of all.  Song tells a fantastic story of rock stardom, while deep mysterious bass lines intertwined with successive power chords.  1st tune of the LP that gets substantial air play on Classic Rock Stations. 1

Break it Up-  Gramm slows it down thinking the tune starts into balladville but rocks on to conclusion. 6

Waiting for a Girl Like You- Now here is the ballad, and Foreigner nails it.  Beautiful and soulful.  Graham's voice meshes well with it's understated accompaniment.  Synth background almost gives it an etheral feel too. Not really into Rock Ballads, but this one works so well on so many levels. 5

Luanne- This is the sleeper on the LP.  Very simple rock ditty.  3 chords, simplistic, almost dumb lyrics.  But for some reason, this one was  always one of my favorites on the album. 3


Side 2-

Urgent- Big Hit for the band.  Maybe the best overall instrumentalization of the work.  As mentioned earlier, Junior Walker's solo on this song is worth of the price of admission by itself.  Never heard such great gutteral shredding sax on a rock sound ever, or since. 2

I'm going to Win-  Maybe the heaviest feel of a song on the LP.  Harkens more of the sound of the 1st 2 albums.  This one really sounds like it could have been on their Self Titled, or Double Vision.  Seems out of place, and thus rates lower than others. 8

Women in Black- Another excellent song.  At this point while listening, you have come to the conclusion you sure have gotten you money's worth. Also you sure see that Lou Gramm is a helluva vocalist. 7

Girl in the Moon- Closest thing to filler on this LP. Next......  10

Don't Let Go- Band finishes the album on a somewhat better note,- Some good instrumental interplay.  But lower tier I guess. 9






http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UQcqYlZ_bk