Great Rock Albums of 1985: Marillion- Misplaced Childhood

 

For many Americans, 1985’s “Misplaced Childhood” was the breakthrough album for Marillion. Many of my countrymen and women had not even heard of the band before this. Me, I had heard of them and heard great things about them but it was this album which finally got me to get off my ass and get the album. Not only did I love the album, it also compelled me to go check out their earlier albums, a task very much to my liking.

Let’s start with the obvious. The main component in aiding Marillion’s breakthrough to mainstream was the big single “Kayleigh.” I have to admit, the song hooked me as well. It proved that good progressive rock was still around and that a band didn’t have to be all synth pop to make it. Furthermore, I have praised Steve Rothery’s guitar work on those previous albums, he continues to do good work and his work on the single shows he still could. With that said, “Kayleigh,” is not my favourite song on the album. That award goes to the second single, “Lavender” because Steve’s guitar work is even more entertaining on it. I like the way it just kind of explodes after the mellow intro on the song, great stuff.

The rest of the album is very intriguing indeed. It seems to go back and forth between short two minute tracks and  two longer tracks over seven minutes long in between a couple of more standard four minute ones. But unless you have the tracks in front of you, it can be difficult to note where one track ends and the other begins. This is probably down to me being carried away in the music that I’m not really paying attention to details like that. That was probably the good thing about having the album on cassette or vinyl back then. You at least get a break in order to change sides. When you do change sides, there is a change in focus on the album. Side one ends with the keyboard melodies of “Heart of Lothian” and side two wakes you back up with the more harder, “Waterhole” and continues with “Lords of Backstage” which combine are just over four minutes long. But no worries, the nine minute “Blind Curve” does not lessen any power and has some interesting changes to keep your attention.

Again, like I’ve said on Marillion’s previous albums, Marillion are all talented musicians, I mean very talented. Steve Rothery does what he does best on the guitar and whether it’s that or the keyboard wizardry of Mark Kelly, the vocals of Fish adapt to both and then some. The result of all of this is one great album.

Track Listing:

1. Pseudo Silk Kimono
2. Kayleigh
3. Lavender
4. Bitter Suite
5. Heart of Lothian
6. Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)
7. Lords of the Backstage
8. Blind Curve
9. Childhood’s End
10. White Feather

• Tracks 4, 5 and 8 are broken up into parts

Marillion

Fish- lead vocals

Steve Rothery- guitars

Mark Kelly- keyboards

Pete Trewavas- bass

Ian Moseley- drums, percussion

Looking back, it was more of a matter of when Marillion would make the big breakthrough. They were one of those bands that both metalhead and Duranie could like without betraying their respective camps. This album was the pinnacle of that.

Next post: Jeff Beck- Flash

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Great Rock Albums of 1985: Night Ranger- Seven Wishes

The release of Night Ranger's third album, "Seven Wishes" confirmed to me what I already knew, Night Ranger were not heavy metal. This didn't stop the unknowing from continuing to label them as such and it made me grind my teeth at times. The first single, "Sentimental Street" was all the proof one needed. That song is supposed to be a power ballad, I use that term loosely because it is heavily over synthed. All that did was take me back to their more superior power ballad, "Sister Christian" which wasn't so. Just a fine use of the piano. On the other hand, while I have always believed that Night Ranger was never heavy metal, they definitely weren't a top 40 band either, in spite of having several songs in the top 40. The best label to give Night Ranger

[caption id="attachment_4891" align="aligncenter" width="225"] I thought that now I'm back from my client holiday, I'd treat you to at least one photo from it. This is the fog lifting off Lynmouth Harbour.[/caption]

Back to the "Seven Wishes" album. While many metalheads dissed this album back in 1985 and I admit, the first single nearly put me off. Fortunately, I had known for years never to judge an album on one single, so I took the plunge. In spite of what was said about Night Ranger at the time, this album still rocks in many places. Additionally, unlike singles from their first two albums, none of the songs remind me of Rick Springfield. Unlike, "Sentimental Street," the guitars dominate more than the keyboards, the only exception might be the title track. Even then, there is a fab guitar solo on it as with all the songs, the talents of the guitar duo of Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson are put to maximum use. More proof that I'm mellowing a little with age, I like "Sentimental Street" more now than I did in 1985.

Actually, "Seven Wishes" is an album of two halves for the most part. Part one is the more keyboard oriented songs and singles. "Four in the Morning" was the second single and though not as keyboard oriented, the whole song screams "Single for radio!" Saying that, "I Need a Woman" really cooks and if you only listened to the first five songs, might seem slightly out of place. However, the album goes total rock on the second half of the album. "This Boy Needs to Rock" starts things off perfectly and the rest of the album follows through. "Interstate Love Affair" is my vote for hidden gem on the album. I just love that intro and the way it rocks to the mind blowing guitar solo. Yep, it gets my vote. The closer, "Goodbye" is, in my not so humble opinion, a better power ballad than "Sentimental Street." Better still, it's the best song to end the album on a high

Track Listing:

1. Seven Wishes
2. Faces
3. Four in the Morning
4. I Need a Woman
5. Sentimental Street
6. This Boy Needs to Rock
7. I'll Follow You
8. Interstate Love Affair
9. Night Machine
10. Goodbye

[caption id="attachment_2656" align="aligncenter" width="348"] Night Ranger[/caption]

Jack Blades- bass, lead vocals

Jeff Watson- guitar

Brad Gillis- guitar

Alan 'Fitz' Fitzgerald- keyboards

Kelly Keagy- drums, lead vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5fs-nUPL9c

While Night Ranger aren't heavy metal, they can't be simply dismissed. Their brand of melodic hard rock is played very well as this album shows.

Next post:

Great Rock Albums of 1985: Dire Straits- Brothers in Arms

 

The arrival of “Brothers in Arms” by Dire Straits in the summer of 1985 brought many different reactions to people. Back then, I couldn’t help but laugh at teens who thought they were the brand new sensation of the 1980s. More than one of these was completely dumbfounded when I told them that Dire Straits had been on the go since 1978 and had four prior albums. Old time followers though, upon hearing this album accused the band of abandoning their original sound and going too new wave. Some even went onto say that Dire Straits had sold out. I never thought that though I realize now that particular label got banded around too much.

“Money for Nothing” was the first big single from “Brothers in Arms” and it seemed to be on every time I switched on MTV. It also got lots of radio airplay and that was one piece of evidence used by hardcore followers to insist the band sold out. Further evidence was the fact that Sting sang accompanying vocals on the song. If you want to know my thoughts, (and you do want to know my thoughts), I never thought this song was a sell out. Furthermore, I thought Sting did a damn good job on the vocals and I have always loved the fuzz guitar throughout the song. Okay, it didn’t dislodge “Sultans of Swing” off my top spot for my favourite Dire Straits songs, it didn’t even make the top three, but it is a good song.

In fact, “Money for Nothing,” isn’t even my favourite song on this album! That honour goes to the next song on the album, “Walk of Life.” Sure, there’s a heavy keyboard sound on it but it wasn’t done in that choppy synth pop style. Got to give full marks to Alan Clark and Guy Fletcher on it, they play it very well. Plus the song just has a vibe that grabs me and has me nodding along to the melody. Maybe also the American sports themed video on MTV might have had some influence on me too.

Unfortunately, after the those two songs and a cool opener, “So Far Away” is a more traditional sounding Dire Straits song for me, the album goes a little downhill on the next couple of songs. While the sax playing of Michael Brecker on “Your Latest Trick” is very good, it doesn’t redeem the song to a point where I can say, “Hey, this is good.” Nor do things improve with the next track, “Why Worry.” Both of these songs could be put on an album called, “Dire Straits Does Elevator Music” for that’s what they remind of.

Fortunately, the album improves to more familiar Dire Straits territory after that. While there are still elements of elevator music on “Ride Across the River,” at least Mark Knopfler let’s his guitar do some singing on it and I do like the jungle rhythms in the background. Then for a complete change, there is a country music sounding acoustic guitar intro on “The Man’s Too Strong” before going into more Dire Straits sounding guitar rock. This track will have you saying, “This is more like it” and my vote for hidden gem on the album. However, it does get some stiff competition for that honour from the next track, “One World.” More of the old Dire Straits here and again, Mr Knopfler isn’t afraid to let loose on the guitar. Those two songs all lead to the end which is carried out very somberly but nicely by the title track.

Track Listing:

1. So Far Away
2. Money For Nothing
3. Walk of Life
4. Your Latest Trick
5. Why Worry
6. Ride Across the River
7. The Man’s Too Strong
8. One World
9. Brothers in Arms

Dire Straits

Mark Knopfler- lead guitar, lead vocals

Alan Clark- keyboards

Omar Hakim- drums

John Illsley- bass, backing vocals

Guy Fletcher- keyboards, backing vocals

Additional Musicians

Sting- vocals on “Money for Nothing”

Michael Brecker- saxophone on “Your Latest Trick”

Randy Brecker- trumpet

Malcolm Duncan- saxophone

Jimmy Maelen- percussion

Mike Mainieri- vibraphone, keyboards

David Plews- trumpet

Jack Sonni- guitar synthesizer on “The Man’s Too Strong”

It was on the tour for this album when I finally got to see Dire Straits live. It was a good show but and they played “Sultans of Swing”  as well as several songs from this album. There was a good mix of old and new followers there too. However, my big hang up about that evening was they didn’t play my number two and three DS songs, “Skateaway” and “Industrial Disease.” You can’t have everything I suppose. Still, no matter which side of the fence you sit on for “Brothers in Arms,” I have to say that it’s not a bad album.

Next post: The Power Station

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

Great Rock Albums of 1985: Van Morrison- A Sense of Wonder

Here's another example of how I was so focused on heavy metal in early 1985 that I didn't fully appreciate a good non-metal album. I have to admit, back then I didn't have much experience of the legend that is Van Morrison. My most memorable experience of him was his performance in the film, "The Last Waltz" where he sang with The Band. Other than that, what I knew of him was virtually zero.

While by 1985, I had become totally fed up with commercial radio, I have to thank it for this one. The single from the 1985 album, "A Sense of Wonder," "Tore Down a la Rimbaud" got a considerable amount of airplay in the early part of the year. It was only after a few listens that I got past my "it's not metal" mentality and realized that "Hey, this song is pretty good." However, for some reason, I never bought the album, which was a bit of a shame because I missed out on a good one.

Wikapedia puts Van's "A Sense of Wonder" album in the category of Celtic Soul. Well the man is from Northern Ireland and he does put his soul into the album so it's hard to disagree with that label. Back then, I would have put it into either or both of the categories of soft rock or mellow out rock. It covers both. While the deafening power chords I was so into in 1985 and still am today are absent, one can't fault the quality of the musicianship on it. Here's another myth I believed about Van which this album has obliterated. I thought that he only sang because that's what he did in "The Last Waltz." But he plays guitar and piano and rather well judging from the instrumentals "Evening Meditation" and "Boffyflow and Spike," the latter sounding like true Irish folk music.

While the single remains my favourite song on the album, the rest of the album keeps up as well. In my opinion, "Ancient of Days" could have been released as a single too because it's almost as good. After the first mentioned instrumental, he goes very almost gospel soul softer though I think the title track goes on a bit too long for me. The second instrumental does pick things up a pace after and "If You Only Knew" keeps that pace going with "A New Kind of Man" closing the album out with a good feeling.

Track Listing:

1. Tore Down a la Rimbaud
2. Ancient of Days
3. Evening Meditation
4. The Master's Eyes
5. What Would I Do
6. A Sense of Wonder
7. Boffyflow and Spike
8. If You Only Knew
9. Let the Slave (Incorporating the Price of Experience)
10. A New Kind of Man

Van Morrison

Van Morrison- vocals, guitar and piano

John Allair- organ

Bob Doll- trumpet

Tom Donlinger- drums

Pee Wee Ellis- tenor saxophone

David Hayes- bass

Chris Michie- guitar

Pauline Lazano- backing vocals

Bianca Thornton- backing vocals

The group Moving Hearts performs on tracks 6 and 7

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oF3PMHq-Nk

I'm now a believer. Again, it could be me mellowing a tiny bit with age but I now appreciate how good the "A Sense of Wonder" album from Van Morrison really is. Perhaps I should delve into his discography a little more.

Next post: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Southern Accents

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

Great Rock Albums of 1985: Don Henley- Building the Perfect Beast

 

The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that I was not as musically open minded as I thought I was in the early part of 1985. While I make no justification for this, I do think the reason might have been that I was in longing after the wave of heavy metal that was played on commercial radio throughout 1984 became non existent in the early part of the following year. That was probably why I poo-pooed the "Building the Perfect Beast" album from Don Henley. Being honest, I was in Eagles mode (even though they had split up five years earlier) with not just Don but all former members of this iconic band. I expected all of their solo material to resemble the classic "Hotel California" and the singles from this album didn't do that. So, I ignored it until a friend lent it to me and I had a listen. Then I realized what I fool I had been.

Sure, the big single "The Boys of Summer" doesn't sound like "Hotel California" but the musicianship on the song is simply fabulous. There is some great guitar work from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Don's voice is clean on this and all of the tracks. I have really come to like this track in my later years.

Upon further reflection back to 1985, I think that I put music into categories of heavy metal and synth pop. "Building the Perfect Beast" not being metal, I put it into the other category. Again I say "Fool!" at least to myself anyway. There is absolutely nothing synth pop about this album. If anything, there are tracks that take me back to The Eagles more country rock sound from the early 1970s. Tracks that bear evidence to this are the fast paced "Man With a Mission" and my vote for hidden gem, "You're Not Drinking Enough." For some reason, that track reminds me of the Eagles' classic, "Take Me to the Limit." But it does say "Early Eagles" all through the song. Thinking back to early 85, at the time I was dating a woman who had a drinking problem and now I'm linking this song with that. "Not Enough Love in the World" is another example of what I am trying to talk about. In fact this track would have fitted perfectly on the Eagles' "Long Road From Eden" album.

One reason for why this album sounds as good as it does is that Don got a load of well known singers and musicians to guest on it. While you know it is definitely Don Henley on every track, these guests, have a look below to see who, add to the quality of the album for sure.

Track Listing:

1. The Boys of Summer
2. You Can't Make Love
3. Man With a Mission
4. You're Not Drinking Enough
5. Not Enough Love in the World
6. Building the Perfect Beast
7. All She Wants to Do is Dance
8. A Month of Sundays
9. Sunset Grill
10. Drivin' With Your Eyes Closed
11. Land of the Living

[caption id="attachment_2710" align="aligncenter" width="201"] Don Henley[/caption]

Don Henley- lead vocals, percussion (tracks 5,6,9), drums (tracks 2-4,7), keyboards (track 6)

Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar- guitars, organ (4), synthesizers (tracks 1,3,6), percussion (tracks 6,9,10), keyboards (9), synthesizer guitar and horn solos (8), ormichard (4), horns (3)

Additional Musicians

Mike Campbell- guitar, synthesizer track 1

Lyndsey Buckingham- guitar, backing vocals track 2

Charlie Sexton- guitar track 3

Tim Drummond- bass (tracks 4&5)

Pino Pallindino- bass (tracks 2,9,10)

Larry Klein- bass track 1

Jim Keltner- drums track 8

Ian Wallace- drums track 5

Kevin McCormick- African drums track 6

Randy Newman- synthesizer track 8

David Paich- synthesizer (track 7) piano (track 4 & 8)

Steve Porcaro- synthesizer (track 1 &4)

Benmont Tench- synthesizer (track 8), keyboards (track 2&5)

Albhy Galuten- synthesizer, Synclavier track 6

Michael Boddicker- synthesizer track 8

Bill Cuomo- synthesizer, percussion track 10

Backing Vocals:

Belinda Carlisle- track 3

Michael O'Donahue, Waddy Watchel, JD Souther, Carla Olson- track 6

Patty Smyth- track 6, 8-10

Martha Davis- tracks 6&7

Marie Pascale Elfman, Dominique Manicelli- track 9

Sam Moore- track 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx0GRiipMbE

Brian Dear, I owe you a thanks for giving me this classic Don Henley album to listen to. Otherwise, I would have been enslaved to my ignorance that "Building the Perfect Beast" was another 80s synth pop album. It is clearly not and full marks to Don for it.

Next post: The Wrestling Album

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Great Rock Albums of 1985: Giuffria

 

A band that caught mine and many other people's attention was Giuffria with their self titled debut album. The band was originally formed as a side project by keyboards player Greg Giuffria after he left his former band Angel. A band I had heard great things about back in the day but never got around to listening to. Back to Giuffria, their first single, "Call to the Heart" did get a lot of airplay and according to recorded history, number fifteen in the charts. It was one of those ballads that the ladies seemed to really like but it had some good progressive rock hooks as well as a guitar solo to grab the attention of men. If I'm honest, I liked the song but it really wasn't heavy enough for me.

Everything that Giuffria was capable of doing can be found in the opening track of the album, "Do Me Right." It starts with some classic 1970s sounding progressive rock via a great keyboard intro. Then the song carries on with some great vocals backed up by a more than capable rhythm section before guitarist Craig Goldy hammers out his best solo on the album. It's definitely my favourite track.

The two hardest tracks on the album are "Don't Tear Me Down" and "Dance" and it is probably a good thing that those two songs were back to back after the forementioned ballad. It proved to doubters that they could rock as much as anyone. Things go slightly softer and more melodic, bordering on commercial after that with the remainder of the songs, "Turn Me On" being the harder rocking exception. Goldy and Giuffria really cook with guitar and keyboard on that one. "The Awakening" is rather amusing, with the children's choir and keyboards giving it that Saturday horror film feel. Saying that, the talent of this band pulls up the quality  of each song making them more enjoyable.

No matter what you think of the songs, you can't deny that this was one talented band. David Glen Eisley had a voice that was as good as many lead singers in that day. The keyboard skills of Greg Giuffria show themselves in every song. Chuck Wright and Alan Krigger are very good rhythm section and as for the guitarist, Craig Goldy, his playing on the album leaves me to conclude that it was no wonder why he was head hunted to join Dio a year later.

Track Listing:

1. Do Me Right
2. Call to the Heart
3. Don't Tear Me Down
4. Dance
5. Lonely in Love
6. Trouble Again
7. Turn Me On
8. Line of Fire
9. The Awakening
10. Out of the Blue

[caption id="attachment_4672" align="aligncenter" width="345"] Giuffira[/caption]

David Glen Eisley- lead vocals, keyboards, harmonica

Greg Giuffria- keyboards, backing vocals

Craig Goldy- guitar

Chuck Wright- bass, backing vocals

Alan Krigger- drums, percussion

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

While doing a bit of research for the post, I had one rumour from 1985 quashed. In said year, Giuffria went on tour supporting legends Deep Purple. The rumour was that Purple kicked them off the tour because Giuffria was blowing them away every night. I have always found that hard to believe, especially as I saw Deep Purple in this year and they were superb. From what I've read, Ritchie Blackmore was a bit of an a""hole towards the band. He cut their stage time from 45 minutes nearly in half to 25, forbade them to play any guitar solos and they had to play with the arena lights on. Therefore, they left the tour on their own accord and I don't blame them. While I missed my chance to see them live, this album is a good fall back.

Next post: Don Henley- Building the Perfect Beast

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Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1984: Deep Purple- Perfect Strangers

Destiny brought them back together again. At least that was the big advertising plug for the "Perfect Strangers" album from the newly reformed Deep Purple. Back in the day, this album split opinion among many metalheads. Older ones like me, (I was 23 then), embraced this album immediately. However, there was some dissent from many teen metalheads at the time. Some even said that Deep Purple never should have reformed. To them, "Perfect Strangers" was a disappointment.

Let me add my theory to why teen metalheads might have been disappointed with the album. See, all these youngsters ever heard about in regards to Deep Purple was the classic "Smoke on the Water." For many, this was their only experience with the legends. Therefore, they expected the entire album to be like that classic and when Deep Purple showed their more progressive rock side, which they do on the album, these youngsters were put off.

My experience with Deep Purple, although late, was full on. Of course, I knew of "Smoke on the Water" but I also enjoyed their more progressive songs like, "Wring That Neck" and there's my favourite, "Woman From Tokyo" which incorporates both the prog and hard rock they were famous for. While none of the songs on "Perfect Strangers" quite match up to my fave, they do a rather good job of fusing their progressive and hard rock sounds. I think what these young people didn't understand was that the band couldn't help but add a little prog rock into their music when they had one of the best keyboard players of all time.

Deep Purple try to explain to their listeners that they had progressed from the days of "Smoke on the Water." The closing track and my pick for hidden gem, "Hungry Daze," states this clearly with the lyrics:

"We all came out to Montreax, but that's another song." 

The opening track, "Knocking At Your Back Door" pretty much shapes the entire album. You have some killer guitar work from Blackmore, great keyboard wizardry from Lord, Ian Gillan's vocals were as sharp as they had been ten years earlier and the bombarding rhythm section of Glover and Paice holding all together. It' s a great song to begin the album with. Things just go on from there with the slightly harder "Under the Gun," then the more progressive "Nobody's Home"  which shows off Jon Lord's best keyboard work and the more bluesy sounding "Mean Streak.

One of my biggest regrets after writing "Rock and Roll Children" comes with the title track. When I saw Deep Purple live in early 1985, there was a phenomenal light show accompanying the song. I loved how the lasers shot across the length of the Philadelphia Spectrum making different patters with the notes. I don't think I did it justice in the story. It was the first single and an okay song. "A Gypsy's Kiss" remind me of the old DP classic, "Burn" with Ritchie belting out a blinder of a solo as well as the trade-off with Jon Lord where guitar and keyboards go back and forth. Okay, there are two hidden gems on this album.

In regards to the other gem, I don't think "Hungry Daze" should have been the closer on the album. It's a good track but everything about the penultimate track, "Wasted Sunsets" screams closer! Just listen to the opening guitar solo and the way Gillan's voice just takes over before relinquishing again to another blazing Blackmore solo. The slower blues beat with it bears even more witness that it should be a closer. Hell, even the title suggests it! Other than this track misappropriation, "Perfect Strangers" was a good album for them to come back on.

Track Listing:

1. Knocking At Your Back Door
2. Under the Gun
3. Nobody's Home
4. Mean Streak
5. Perfect Strangers
6. A Gypsy's Kiss
7. Wasted Sunsets
8. Hungry Daze

[caption id="attachment_4515" align="aligncenter" width="330"] Deep Purple[/caption]

Ian Gillan- lead vocals

Ritchie Blackmore- guitar

Roger Glover- bass

Jon Lord- keyboards

Ian Paice- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xuBw63xj00

Was 1984 the right time for Deep Purple to return? I've always thought so. I admit, "Perfect Strangers" isn't exactly "Machine Head" but it's a good album. The musicianship of the five members is outstanding, proving that there's more to them than "Smoke on the Water."

Next post: Venom- At War With Satan

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Great Rock Albums of 1984: Roger Hodgson- In the Eye of the Storm

 

A friend, in 1984, announced that Supertramp had a new album out. I had to inform him that it wasn't the case. Instead, thanks to the single, "Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy)," getting a fair amount of airplay on radio, I could tell him that former Supertramp guitar/vocalist Roger Hodgson had released his first solo album. One point to me, I think. Besides, my friend was a total Duranie and very anti- heavy metal.

I still feel the same way about Roger's debut album, "In the Eye of the Storm," now as I did back then. It could have been another Supertramp album. It became abundantly clear to me that Roger was the driving force behind the band and with his solo album, it was pretty much the same. Not that it's a bad thing because it's not. I've always liked Supertramp's version of 1970s progressive rock. Nice keyboard work laced with some guitar done very creatively over rather long songs. I have this memory of Supertramp songs usually being in excess of five minutes, except for a few of the ones released as singles. It is the same on Roger's album. Four of the seven songs are over seven minutes long and one is just a second below six. In a musical world where synth pop was emerging, I thought it was great to still hear some good progressive rock.

Though unusual for me, I have to say that "Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy) is my favourite track. I liked it enough when radio cut huge chunks out of the song for airplay so the full eight minute plus version was even better. The entire progressive rock arsenal went into making this one. Some great keyboards with bouts of both acoustic and electric guitar with Hodgson's unmistakable vocals. It all adds up to a great song. Of course, there are other nice songs too. I do like "In Jeopardy" as it is more classic Supertramp. "Hooked on a Problem" is an interesting one. The introduction reminds me of the classic, "The Logical Song" but transforms into sounding like a carnival. I would be repeating myself if I dissected every song, except for "Lovers in the Wind" which does nothing for me personally and credit where due, Roger definitely chose the right song for the closer.

Except for where noted below, I thought it was cool that he got Michael Shrieve of HSAS fame to play drums on the album, Roger plays all of the instruments himself on the album proving what a fine musician he is.

Track Listing:

1. Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy)
2. In Jeopardy
3. Lovers in the Wind
4. Hooked on a Problem
5. Give Me Love, Give Me Life
6. I'm Not Afraid
7. Only Because of You

[caption id="attachment_4176" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Roger Hodgson[/caption]

Roger Hodgson- vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums on "Hooked on a Problem" and "Lovers in the Wind"

Michael Shrieve- drums, except on tracks 3 and 4

Ken Alldaryce- harmonica, backing vocals

Jimmy Johnson- fretless bass on "Lovers in the Wind" and "Only Because of You"

Claire Diament- female vocals on "Only Because of You"

Scott Page- saxophone on "Hooked on a Problem

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

Thinking back, I now realize that there was more great progressive rock back in the mid 80s than I allowed myself to believe. This debut album from Roger Hodgson is indisputable evidence of that.

Next Post: Soundtrack to Footloose

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Great Rock Albums of 1984: Chicago- 17

 

I'd like to thank Rich for this one. If he hadn't posted about Chicago's 11th album from 1977, I would not have remember that the band had a really good album in 1984. Thank you Rich for jogging my memory here. Once my memory got into full swing, I remember that there was a song on this album I really liked. That was the opening track, "Stay the Night," which I remember most because of the very amusing video got played quite a bit on MTV during the summer.

Reflections from my old age, I now realize that Chicago deserves more credit for "17" than what they actually received. There were two camps in 1984. Most bands were either going down the synth pop road or heading in a more harder direction. Chicago didn't go down either road. Instead, they stuck with the same formula that made them so successful throughout the 1970s. Their fusion of soft rock and jazz influences work just as well on this album as they had on all of their previous ones. That is precisely why Chicago was my 'not guilty pleasure' in the mid 1980s.

Proof of what I'm talking about can be traced to the success of "17." There were four singles, including my favourite track mentioned above, the best known of these was the ballad, "Hard Habit to Break." Sure, it's no where near a heavy metal power ballad but it's a good song anyway. Just as successful was the track "You're My Inspiration" which did just as well in the singles charts as "Hard Habit to Break." The fourth single is probably the hardest rock song on the album, "Along Comes a Woman." Guitarists Bill Champlin and Chris Pinnick deliver on the guitar on the track and the other instruments do well in support. It has a definite catchy vibe and that makes it my second favourite track. Of course, it wouldn't be me if there weren't any non single songs on the album to like. "We Can Stop the Hurting" takes the prize here as it is a definite reminder that Chicago were not about to compromise with their sound. "Remember the Feeling" does come closer to being a power ballad as there is some hard guitar in the background and a fairly decent solo on it. With some really great tracks to close, this album was just like anything you found on any Chicago album throughout the band's history.

Track listing:

1. Stay the Night
2. We Can Stop the Hurtin'
3. Hard Habit to Break
4. Only You
5. Remember the Feeling
6. Along Comes a Woman
7. You're My Inspiration
8. Please Hold On
9. Prima Donna
10. Once in a Lifetime

Chicago

Peter Cetera- bass, lead and backing vocals

Bill Champlin- guitars, keyboards, lead and backing vocals

Robert Lamm- keyboards, lead and backing vocals

Lee Loughnane- trumpet

James Pankow- trombone, horn arrangements

Walter Perazaider- woodwinds

Chris Pinick- guitar

Danny Seraphine- drums

The reason why I considered Chicago to be my not guilty pleasure from the 1980s was down to the fact that by then, I was a total metalhead. Chicago are definitely not metal but I've always liked their softer version of rock, especially in the 70s. So there was no reason why I shouldn't have carry it over into the next decade.

Next post: Roger Hodgson- In the Eye of the Storm

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

Great Rock Albums of 1984: Kerry Livgren- Timeline

 

Once again, I was deceived by Satan in 1984. The Christian Rock radio programme, TCN Hot Rock played the song "Mask of the Great Deceiver" by Kerry Livgren. What blew me away about the song was who was on the lead vocals. That alone was grounds for me to go out and buy a Kerry Livgren album. However, when I read the tracks on the 1984 album, "Timeline," that track wasn't on it. Therefore I didn't buy it. As think back to that time, I see the irony in it all, in regards to the vocalist on the song. See, it was about this time that the singer was getting attacked by Christian groups for being Satanic. They obviously never listened to Livgren's song for even the deejay had to admit the great job done by the vocalist. I'm not going to tell you who that vocalist was, you have to listen to the song and guess. Though, it is pretty obvious. Actually, the picture gives it away but have a listen anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CiS5IWMvlA

Most of you will know that Kerry Livgren came over from the great 70s prog rock band Kansas. After leaving Kansas in 1983, he met some musicians who were like minded in his spiritual beliefs so they formed the band Kerry Livgren AD and "Timeline" was their first album although it's considered by some to be Kerry's second solo album. He had one in 1980 which features the track I pontificated about above.

One critic back then called the "Timeline"album stale. While I won't agree with that, I can see where he might say that because the first tracks are very 80s synth pop. However, he does nail a good guitar solo on the opening title track and some interesting keyboards work at the end of the second one. While probably the weakest tracks on the album, the first two do set the stage for the better tracks that follow. In fact, the very next track, "Make or Break It" is reminiscent of Kansas and the track after even more so. Kerry nails down some killer guitar solos on tracks, "Take Us to the Water" and "New Age Blues," (my favourite track), as well as some interesting keyboards work. "Slow Motion Suicide" is a great example. Another very interesting and very notable aspect on "Timeline" are the Yes inspired harmony vocals on the album. They appear throughout. There always being an exception, the track "Beyond the Pale," sounds very contemporary for the time Joe Jackson.

Track Listing:

1. Timeline
2. Tonight
3. Make or Break It
4. Take Us to the Water
5. Beyond the Pale
6. New Age Blues
7. Slow Motion Suicide
8. High On the Hill
9. Life Undercover
10. Welcome to the War

[caption id="attachment_4154" align="aligncenter" width="259"] Kerry Livgren AD[/caption]

Kerry Livgren- guitars, keyboards

Michael Gleason- lead and backing vocals

Warren Ham- lead and backing vocals

Dennis Holt- drums, percussion

David Hope- bass

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaimb3IOk3o

Kerry Livgren AD might have been pushed into the area of Christian Rock by some critics and followers of Christ but there are no in your face Jesus lyrics. To me, it's just some good old progressive rock similar to what Kerry did with his former band.

Next post: Stryper- Yellow and Black Attack

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

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: Toto- Isolation

 

It is probably the case that "Isolation" is most likely my favourite Toto album was the reason that it didn't do as well as its predecessors in the charts. Some would say one reason why I like it more was down to the fact that it doesn't have any cheesy singles like "Rosanna" or "Africa." I never thought either of those songs were to begin with. That accolade goes to "99" in my opinion. Besides, "Rosanna" has a really cool guitar solo on it. Additionally, there are no songs on "Isolation" that would be called 'party killing' tunes in the realm of Wayne's World.

[caption id="attachment_324" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Wayne puts 'Any song by Toto' as number 2 on his party killing tunes list.[/caption]

Now, some may say that the single, "Stranger in Town," from this album is slightly cheesy. Again, I don't agree, I've always liked it. In fact, it is my second favourite Toto song. "Hold the Line" remains number one. If there be cheese, Toto do what they normally do and hide any cheese behind some good musicianship. There is plenty of that to be heard on the song and every other track on the album. "Stranger in Town" is the third track on the album following two rather good tunes. I also really like the track that comes after, "Angels Don't Cry." There is some good guitar work and it reminds me of late 1970s Styx or Kansas in the sense there are some crunching guitars backed up by some cool but not dominating keyboard playing. The same can be said for "Endless." Even the more keyboard dominated tracks are done very well with some good guitar solos in them. I never bought the critics claim that "Isolation" was a Journey clone. Where did they get that one from?

The new event which occurred on this album was that it was the first one to feature Fergie Frederiksen on lead vocals who replaced Bobby Kimball after the band terminated his services. I never knew what lead to the switch in singers but I've never bothered to find out. Admittedly, I didn't even know they had a new singer until I looked on the credits of the album. However, Bobby Kimball still provides backing vocals on three or four of the songs.

Track Listing:

1. Carmen
2. Lion
3. Stranger in Town
4. Angels Don't Cry
5. How Does it Feel
6. Endless
7. Isolation
8. Mr Friendly
9. Change of Heart
10. Holyanna

[caption id="attachment_4090" align="aligncenter" width="279"] Toto[/caption]

Fergie Frederiksen- lead and backing vocals

Steve Lukather- guitars, backing vocals, lead vocal on "How Does it Feel"

David Paich- keyboards, backing vocals, orchestral arrangements, lead vocals on "Stranger in Town" and "Holyanna," co-lead vocals on "Carmen"

Steve Procraro- keyboards, electric sounds

Mike Procraro- bass

Jeff Procraro- drums, pecussion

Bobby Kimball- backing vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSeldKAqM-w

Back in 1984, Toto's "Isolation" album was my come down a little bit album after listening to three or four metal albums on the trot. The great progressive rock musicianship that comes out of the speakers when it's played was the reason why. I didn't think about it then but for me, I've come to the conclusion that after the demise of both Styx and Kansas in 1984, this album was the progressive album that carried that sound on.

Next post: Molly Hatchet- The Deed is Done

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

Great Rock Albums of 1984: The Kinks- Word of Mouth

 

In the waning months of 1984, I was hit by a sudden epiphany one day whilst I was watching MTV. The video for The Kinks' first single, "Do It Again" from the 1984 "Word of Mouth" album came on and it hit. While many bands and genres in rock had come and gone, the Kinks were still going strong for twenty years. In fact, "Word of Mouth" was their 20th album! What helped was the fact that I really liked "Do It Again." On Friday nights, after a heavy night's partying, my friends and I would go to our favourite diner. Back in the day, diners had individual juke boxes in each both, so we would have to put on some tunes while we awaited our feasts. In the last months of 1984 and the first months of 85, "Do It Again" was constantly selected. Why not, it was a great song and still is.

One thing the Kinks have always been so successful at during their tenure was to bend a little with music trends while at the same time, remaining The Kinks. On this album, their sound is definitely in the no man's land between hard and progressive rock and I don't mean this in any derisory way. I mean that track I have loved so much over the past three decades and opens the album is a good hard rock song. The next couple of tracks follow suit, although the title track is the harder one of the two which follow "Do It Again." Then comes another really great track that is hot on the heels of my favourite track. "Living on a Thin Line" has both elements of hard and progressive rock. There's a very catchy melody accented by keyboards but the guitars really crunch when required to do so. An added bonus for me back then and now is the political statement in the lyrics. Dave Davies wrote the song to convey his hatred of politicians with the insinuation that politics in Britain then hadn't moved on much from England in the middle ages. I can see that as this album came out during the peak of the miner's strike.

Following on are two very interesting rock songs in the form of "Sold Me Out" and "Massive Reductions." The keyboards on the latter track are a bit of a paradox for me. In my mind, the Kinks' 1983 single "Come Dancing" was the worst song they ever made. I know a lot of you probably don't agree and that's cool. Anyway, on "Massive Reductions," the keyboards sound very similar to that song I don't like very much. However, with the hard rock of the guitars, the keyboards work well on that song. "Guilty" is a straight forward rocker and the lyrics "Guilty until proven innocent" seemed to ring true for me at the time. Not that I was in any trouble with the law. "Too Hot" is a fun song that reminds me of the Kinks of old, not that they really changed that much over the years. It's just a catchy vibe that makes you want to wiggle back and forth in your chair.

Another interesting song is "Missing Persons" which is the closest song to a ballad on the album. It is a slow song but the drums are done in military fashion and it does get harder when it needs to punctuate its point. "Summer's Gone" is a cross between 1960s pop and heavy metal. Sounds weird I know but believe me, it works on here. Some good guitar work on here too. Maybe it was a summertime fun song for the 1980s. "Going Solo" is a good closer and I have always wondered about it. With the lyrics: "My little girl's going solo" combined with the fact that the band members were parents, that it's about a daughter who's grown up and leaving the house. Just a thought, but you can't fault the album.

Track Listing:

1. Do It Again
2. Word of Mouth
3. Good Day
4. Living on a Thin Line
5. Sold Me Out
6. Massive Reductions
7. Guilty
8. Too Hot
9. Missing Persons
10. Summer's Gone
11. Going Solo

The Kinks

Ray Davies- guitar, vocals, keyboards, harmonica

Dave Davies- guitars, backing vocals, lead vocal on "Living on a Thin Line" and "Guilty"

Jim Rodford- bass, backing vocals

Mick Avory- drums on "Missing Persons," "Sold Me Out" and "Going Solo"

Bob Henrit- drums on all other tracks

Ian Gibbons- keyboards and backing vocals

Twenty years and the Kinks were still going strong as the "Word of Mouth" album certainly showed. Looking back, it amazes me just how much good rock was out there in the year so much metal was being aired.

Next post: There will be no post later on this week as I'm off to Newcastle Upon Tyne for a much needed break. However, I will go to Trillian's and if I happen to see a good band or two whilst I'm there, you'll read about it here.

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

Great Rock Albums of 1984: Tommy Shaw- Girls With Guns

  

Styx guitarist, although back in 1984 it was former, Tommy Shaw's first solo album is yet another reason why I don't let one song influence me when I buy an album. It was the opening title track that was played by radio and while "Girls With Guns" is a decent song, it on its own, wouldn't have been enough for me to buy the album. What influenced me to buy it was the songs Tommy wrote whilst he was in his former band.

The great thing about Styx in the 1970s and 80s was that Tommy, Dennis De Young and James Young all had the ability to write and perform great songs. While I don't have a preference in this realm, the songs that Tommy wrote which I really loved were: "Too Much Time on My Hands," "Blue Collar Man," "Renegade" and "Man in the Wilderness" for starters. Therefore, like with Dennis's solo album, I used the memories of the great Styx songs Tommy wrote to influence my decision to buy "Girls With Guns."

[caption id="attachment_649" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Styx[/caption]

Did my logic work out? My answer is yes. It's true that the opener, title track and first single was always intended to sound more 80s synth but I did like it. It doesn't really matter because each track after offers up something new each time. The very next track, "Come In and Explain" is very much heavy rock and Tommy does open up with his guitar on that one. Following that, he attempts a ballad with "Lonely School." Now, I don't want to knock his voice because Tommy Shaw can sing and it's not a bad song but I don't think that voice is made for ballads, at least on this song. Just my thoughts that's all. However, he does go into more familiar territory with "Heads Up." This sounds like his days with Styx and there is good harmonizing in the vocals. Plus, there's the added bonus of him laying down a particularly cool guitar solo, so full marks here.

Pure speculation here but maybe he realized he wasn't up for singing ballads because while "Kiss Me Hello" is a ballad, there is much more harmonizing on it and therefore a big improvement. Additionally, I have to give full marks to Peter Wood here because he does a marvelous job on the keyboards on this one. Tommy does end the song with a little guitar solo so full marks all around, actually.

"Fading Away" has a very progressive rock intro and then goes to a reggae sound. Now Tommy Shaw is no Bob Marley but his voice sounds okay on it. He does fuse more progressive rock into the song and the mix sounds okay. "Little Girl World" has a catchy feel good factor about it. It's one of those songs you would play at a celebration or something and has some more good keyboard work from Wood. But there's some hard guitars that do manifest themselves out of the background. A similar thing can be said for "Outside in the Rain" but the guitars are more noticeable, especially with one of Shaw's solos on it. He is also accompanied by one Carol Kenyon on the vocals. "Free to Love You" is the love child between 1980s synth and traditional Styx. Elements of both permeate the album without either establishing dominance and with another cool guitar solo, Tommy blends them well. The closer, "The Race is On" is a decent progressive rock song with saxophones on it. Nicely done in a way that closes the album out on a good note.

Track Listing:

1. Girls With Guns
2. Come In and Explain
3. Lonely School
4. Heads Up
5. Kiss Me Hello
6. Fading Away
7. Little Girl World
8. Outside in the Rain
9. Free to Love You
10. The Race is On

[caption id="attachment_4066" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Tommy Shaw, now sporting a mullet in 1984[/caption]

 

Tommy Shaw- guitars and lead vocals, mandolin

Steve Holley- drums, percussion

Brian Stanley- bass

Peter Wood- piano, electric piano, synthesizers

Carol Kenyon- accompanying vocals on "Outside in the Rain"

Richie Connata- sax solo on "The Race is On"

Molly Duncan- saxophone section on "The Race is On"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wNBsGy17V4

Tommy Shaw followed Dennis De Young in releasing a solo album after Styx. While he's not afraid to stretch out a bit on the album, he does remember that his guitar work is his main weapon as it was for Styx. However, he does have  good keyboards player in Peter Wood and that helps to make "Girls With Guns" the winner here. If I were to compare it to Dennis's album.

Next post: The Kinks- Word of Mouth

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