Great Rock Albums of 1981: The Fools- Heavy Mental

Originally I was fearful that this post was going to be much shorter than usual. Has there ever been an album that you used to listen to many years ago but now a days seems to have vanished from the face of the earth? For me, it was the "Heavy Mental" album by The Fools. This was another album I came across when I was home on leave after six months away. My friend Frank introduced me to it and he used to play it all the time when riding in his car. Therefore, I heard it a lot over two weeks in 1981 and though I haven't heard it again before today, the album has always stuck in my mind. Now that I have heard it again, I regret not buying this album from Frank when he was selling off all of his music collection as a result of him finding Jesus.

This is a brilliant album, kind of heavy metal meets Weird Al Yankovic. BTW, I will be visiting all of his album when they come up down the line. The lyrics of each song are just total parody here. I really like those in the songs "Alibi" and "Lost Number" but each song has a catchy hard rock feel which gets you banging away to it even if you aren't paying attention to the lyrics. Thus it dispels the myth that people who create humorous songs lack music talent. (Never say that around a Zappa fan.) "What I Tell Myself" is proof of this and then there's the cover of Roy Orbison's "Running Scared." It might have been a serious song for Roy, but The Fools add their own little silly touch too it and still make the playing of it sound good. My conclusion is that Christ, I have to get this album for myself. No offense Frank.

Track Listing:

1. Mind Control

2. Dressed in White

3. Around the Block

4. Local Talent

5. Lost Number

6. What I Tell Myself

7. Last Cadillac On Earth

8. Come Home With Me

9. Running Scared

10. Tell Me You Love Me

11. Alibi

The Fools

Doug Forman- bass, lead vocal on Last Cadillac on Earth

Chris Pedrick- drums

Stacey Pedrick- guitar

Richard Bartlett- lead guitar

Michael Girard- lead vocals

Since Christmas has past and my birthday isn't for another five months, I guess I'm going to have to buy this album myself. I know I sound like a tight fisted git but really I'm not. Besides, this album will be worth spending the money on. If you like the combination of hard rock and humorous lyrics, then this is one of the best.

Next post:  Frankie And The Knockouts

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