One of the biggest questions I have about 1984 is why did the Greg Kihn Band fade into oblivion in this year? The band was riding high on the wave of their very successful 1983 album, "Kihnspiracy," which, in spite of the album having the ballad hit single "Jeopardy" on it, was a good rocking album. MTV seemed to like them as the video for the first single from the 1984 album, "Kihntagious," "Reunited," got a lot of play. I still think that it is a pretty good song. So I ask why did this band fade away so rapidly?
Could the answer be with "Kihntagious?" The already mentioned single leads off the album and gives it a promising start. Then comes the misleading "Rock," the second single. This was released as a dance track and though there's some good individual spots of musicianship on it, (Greg Douglass does some good lead guitar work on it), the dance vibe does sort of kills it for me. However, that is simply the weakest track on the album. "Stand Together" takes me back to their first album. It's a good rocking track. "Confrontation Music" has a strong reggae vibe which I like quite a bit. Plus, Douglass probably plays his best guitar solo on this one. "Work, Work, Work" is a rocking closer that works on different levels.
Track Listing:
- Reunited
- Rock
- Make Up
- Stand Together
- Confrontation Music
- One Thing About Love
- Worst That Could Happen
- Trouble With the Girl
- Cheri Baby
- Hard Times
- Work, Work, Work
Greg Kihn- vocals, rhythm guitar
Greg Douglass- lead, slide guitars, backing vocals
Larry Lynch- drums, vocals
Steve Wright- bass, backing vocals
Gary Phillips- keyboards
Listening to "Kihntagious," I can't still fathom as to why the Greg Kihn Band slipped into obscurity after. I mean, this isn't a bad album by any stretch of the imagination. I guess the answer is somewhere out there.
Next post: U2- The Unforgettable Fire
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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