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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I realise and apologise for the fact that I should have included at least one of the classic albums from the great band that is Jethro Tull in the previous category of Great Rock Albums of the 70s. My favourite of these has always been the album "Too Old to Rock and Roll: Too Young to Die." I used to hear this album advertised all the time when my antique radio was able to tune into the Philadelphia stations and I got to listen to some of the tracks.
I suspect everyone thinks back to a classic song they haven't heard in ages and then that song remains in the head for ages after. For me that song has been the title track to "Stone Blue" by the great Foghat. As a result, for the past week I have been singing to myself over and over the chorus, "Stone blue, but rock and roll sure pulled me through." Great lyrics to a great song from a fine album.