Great Rock Albums of 19787: Boston- Don't Look Back

In America, there is a phrase called the "Sophmore Jinx." It usually applies to sports where a player has a great rookie season, but doesn't do as well in his second season. In music, it applies to a band who puts out a fantastic debut album, but the second album isn't as good. There are many unfortunate examples of this. However, there is no way that the Sophmore Jinx applies to the second album from Boston, "Don't Look Back."

When I posted about the great debut album from Boston, I couldn't sing its praises enough. It has gone down as one of the greatest rock albums in history and there's no way in hell that I am going to debate that fact. Now, their second album is every bit as good as the first, in fact, if anything, "Don't Look Back" is just a continuation from the first. If anyone knows if these two album are available together on one CD, let me know.

The album begins with one of the most mind blowing rhythm guitar riffs which then leads to a mind blowing lead guitar and that's just the start. The brilliant musicianship and the amazing vocals by the late Brad Delp make this album great and proved to many back then that Boston were for real. From the opening title track to such great songs like "It's Easy" and "Party," all the tracks make it a great rock album, one of the best in 1978.

Track Listing:

1. Don't Look Back

2. The Journey

3. It's Easy

4. A Man I'll Never Be

5. Feelin' Satisfied

6. Party

7. Used to Bad News

8. Don't Be Afraid

Boston

Brad Delp- vocals

Tom Shotz- lead guitar, rhythm guitar, piano, organ

Barry Goudreau- lead, slide and rhythm guitars

Fran Sheehan- bass

Boston definitely beat the Sophmore Jinx with "Don't Look Back." This, along with their first album ranks along the all time great rock albums. Not many bands go two for two, so this one is definitely worth a trip down memory lane.

Next post: Great Rock One Hit Wonders of 1978

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A Different Compilation Album

Whenever a rock compilation is unleashed onto the public, you can bet that there will be a repetition of the same songs. When you buy it, you are really only buying it for a few songs you don't have, because the other songs on it will definitely be on all the other rock compilations you own. These include:

Boston- More Than a Feeling

Blue Oyster Cult- Don't Fear the Reaper

Black Sabbath- Paranoid

Deep Purple- Smoke on the Water

Rainbow- Fool For Your Loving

Whitesnake- Here I Go Again

Heart- Alone

Marillion- Kayleigh

Motorhead- Ace of Spades

There's nothing wrong with any of these songs, I like all of them. But I don't want them on every compilation I buy. Besides, there are songs from many of these artists which I like more than the ones listed here. Taking all of this into consideration, I have decided to put together my own compilation album, (not for sale) with the following songs.

1. Michael Stanley Band- My Town

2. Heart- If Looks Could Kill

3. Black Sabbath- War Pigs

4. Blue Oyster Cult-Godzilla

5. Whitesnake-  Slide it In

6. Jay Ferguson- Thunder Island

7. OPM- Heaven is a Half pipe

8. Anthrax- Make Me Laugh

9. Ted Nugent- High Heels in Motion

10. Saxon- Wheels of Steel

11. Marillion- Sugar Mice

12. Motorhead- Killed By Death

13. Night Ranger- Don't Tell Me You Love Me

14. Boston- Piece of Mind

15. Rainbow- Death Alley Driver

16. Deep Purple- Woman From Tokyo

You might like some of these or most likely you have your own suggestions for a rock compilation. If so, feel free to post your suggestions here.

Next post: 1978- They Year the Rivers Began to Overflow

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Great Rock Albums of the 70s: Boston

If I could point to any one album back in my naive teenage days which opened my eyes to the world of heavy rock, it would have to be the first album by Boston. When I first heard the song "More Than a Feeling," I was completely blown away and made sure whenever that song played on the radio in late 1976 and early 1977, the volume would get turned up to full. Boston was the major turning point leading me out of relying on the top 40 played on AM radio to more harder rock persuits.

Track Listing:

1. More Than a Feeling

2. Peace Of Mind

3. Foreplay/Long Time

4. Rock and Roll Band

5. Smokin

6. Hitch A Ride

7. Something About You

8. Let Me Take You Home Tonight

While "More Than a Feeling" is the most popular Boston song of all time, (it appears on many compilation albums including three of mine) many of the other tracks can stand alone in their own right. "Peace of Mind" and "Foreplay/Long Time" also both made the top 40 charts and I know that "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" also received play on the radio. Furthermore, all of the other tracks also feature on classic rock stations and back in the late 70s, many thought that "Rock And Roll Band" should have also been released as a single, I was one of them.

Boston is:

Tom Sholtz- guitar, organ, electric piano, accoustic guitars, clavinet

Brad Delp- vocals

Sib Hashian- drums

Barry Goudreau- lead guitar

Fran Sheehan- bass

Boston's first album is the second largest selling rock album of all time, only "Appetite for Destruction" by Guns and Roses has more sales. This album while a good rocking album is quite melodic as well, which is why it works on so many levels. After 35 years, this album continues to set a standard for great rock.

Next Post: Jeffereson Starship: Spitfire

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Also avaliable on Amazon, Froogle and Barnes & Noble