Great Rock Albums of 1984: Survivor- Vital Signs

 

Back in 1984, Survivor, in my mind were a band who were only known for the "Eye of the Tiger" album compliments of the film, "Rocky 3." For some reason totally unexplainable to me, their 1983 album, "Caught in the Game," never made itself known to me. However, from what I have heard about it, people said at the time that it was proof that the only reason Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger" album was successful was on account of Sylvester Stallone and they weren't up to much without that. Then in 1984, they recorded the "Vital Signs" album and any talk of this band needing Rocky to succeed was silenced.

Survivor did make a change when recording the album. Out went lead singer David Bickler and in to take over the mike duties was Jimi Jamison. From my recollection of history, Jimi gave the band the lift they needed to make "Vital Signs" a successful album. His vocals on all of the songs are solid and versatile. He can sing ballads like "The Search is Over" and rockers like "Popular Girl" without breaking a sweat. In the eyes of song writers Frankie Sullivan and Jim Peterik, he was a god send.

On that subject, the two men I've just mentioned are very good song writers and just as good musicians. Together, with the rhythm section of Stephan Ellis and Marc Droubay, they make a good band and therefore a cool album. You can't fault four singles and the thing is, I like them all. Was I on drugs at the time? Probably but I do like the first four songs on the album, which were the singles. Even thirty years plus on, I can't decide which I like better between "I Can't Hold Back" and "High on You." However, I wouldn't call the other tracks filler. "Broken Promises" steers the album to more hard rock waters after the very well done progressive rock of the first four songs. There is a good guitar solo on it. Then, probably the hardest song on the album, "Popular Girl," for me is the hidden gem. If a metal band covered this song or if Survivor hadn't held back, it would have the potential to be mind blowing. The next track, "Everlasting" is a cool power ballad with a great metal like guitar solo intro and some noticeably cool drumming. Great stuff.

Track Listing:

1. I Can't Hold Back
2. High on You
3. First Night
4. The Search is Over
5. Broken Promises
6. Popular Girl
7. Everlasting
8. It's the Singer, Not the Song
9. I See You in Everyone

[caption id="attachment_4108" align="aligncenter" width="347"] Survivor[/caption]

Jimi Jamison- lead vocals

Frankie Sullivan- guitar, vocals

Jim Peterik- guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals

Stephan Ellis- bass

Marc Droubay- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaMcsKtBDwE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxhueyC70cU

You get two songs because I can't decide which one I like more

Survivor silenced their critics in 1984 with Vital Signs and proved they could make good music on their own without the assistance of Mr Stallone. Proof that the album is so good is in the fact that even though it has a more progressive rock sound, a metal head like me likes it.

Next post: Big Country- Steel Town

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Rock Albums of 1984: Blackfoot- Vertical Smiles

 

Another great Southern Rock or in my view Southern metal band who went for a more commercial rock sound in 1984 was Blackfoot with their album, "Vertical Smiles." Keyboards player Ken Hensley from Uriah Heep became a permanent member and guitarist Charlie Hargrett left over disagreements with the band and management. However, I have always believed Charlie's departure to be fairly amicable because written on the album cover is "Special thanks to Charlie Hargrett for fourteen years of agony and dedication."

The move to more commercial rock comes out in the very first song, "Morning Dew," which was released as the album's only single. I remember it getting limited airplay on radio. While I have always liked this song, it was certainly a departure from traditional Blackfoot. The keyboards lead into the song and it's present throughout, although this isn't a bad thing. I also love the military sounding snare drums complements of Mr Spires and Rick Medlocke pelts a good guitar solo on it. So there is a lot to like with "Morning Dew."

Things go decisively harder for the next few songs after. "Living in the Limelight" is a pure belter and Medlocke's signature vocals are present. The song rocks! The same can be said for "Get It On." This too is a good rocker from the more memorable days of Blackfoot. The song in between them, "Ride With You" isn't bad either. It's just too much keyboards where some good guitar stuff should be and that lets it down a little. Then, the album slows right down with two power ballad type songs, "Young Girl" and "Summer Days." It does show a more tender side to the band and both songs are done very well. Happily, things go back to more familiar ground with the blazing "A Legend Never Dies." I have always thought "this is more like it."  It proves that Blackfoot can effectively employ guitar and keyboard together in a song. But the most true old style Blackfoot track is the pen ultimate, "Heartbeat and Heels." This song casts aside any doubt that Blackfoot have completely abandoned their past. It is the hidden gem on the album. I've never been too sure about the closer. You would think that any song titled, "In For the Kill" would be a hard rocker and though this song has moments, it doesn't move me in for any kill. Still, it's probably the best song to close the album.

Track Listing:

1. Morning Dew
2. Living In the Limelight
3. Ride With You
4. Get it On
5. Young Girl
6. Summer Days
7. A Legend Never Dies
8. Heartbeat and Heels
9. In For the Kill

[caption id="attachment_3114" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Blackfoot[/caption]

Rick Medlocke- guitar, lead vocals

Ken Hensley- keyboards, backing vocals

Greg T Walker- bass, backing vocals

Jackson Spires- drums, backing vocals

Sherri Jarrell- backing vocals

Note: This was a band photo from the last album but I thought I'd use out it of respect for Charlie Hargrett

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IUbOy1_UKs

All in all, "Vertical Smiles" is a pretty decent album. True, they incorporate keyboards where a harder guitar sound should be in places but it's not bad. The album does have good songs. Still, it's not near the same level as their three famous albums, "Strikes," "Tomcattin'" and "Marauder."

Next post: Survivor- Vital Signs

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.co9m