Classic Album of the Day- Boston - Self Titled (1976) *****
This is an interesting pick in the context, I have rightfully bestowed the highest ranking (5*) for this classic. But it is not a perfect album in that respect. The better half of this LP, is the close to the GOAT, in the AOR-isphere. And in retrospect, this is one of those cases, where a half an album merits, being among the best. Because, from my corner POV, I view sappy ballads as a travesty, when you have a band that has the ability to fill an album with the same quality as "More Than a Feeling", and "Piece of Mind" Still, not enough to dock what is close to perfection rocking.
In Boston's Self Titled work in 1976, this is the case of vinyl schizophrenia. Don't get me wrong, this is maybe the most played work that I listened to in my entire youth. I wore out 3 albums and (4) 8 Tracks during the late '70's and early '80's. More than A Feeling is my favorite rock anthem of all time, and I literally played it 10,000's of times at 110 decibels. Piece of Mind is right up there too. Then the drop off commences. Here is the rub..... Boston's wailing riffs and wonderful vocals mask the fact that their love ballads suck. To this day, I have never understood how they thought that formula of junking up half their albums with that stuff, is beyond me. And they continued that trend their entire damned career. Just think what would have become of Boston, if they had stuck with what worked.
To me this was the golden age of guitar wizardry. Tom Scholz and EVH epitomized the change in that standard chording progression and solos were not absolute formulas anymore. They showed that the entire tune could revolve around guitar melodic schemes. Scholz didn't have the ability of self promotion EVH had, nor did he lead his band into a catalog that gave them a lasting legacy that VH had.
Still this is one of the best selling debut albums of all time, at 17M units. It also remained on the charts 132 weeks. No doubting its greatness and legacy. This album will remain relevant a 100 years from now.
So here is the rundown of the tunes, as in the past I have ranked them in blue.
Side 1
More Than a Feeling- When I first heard this guitar tour de force of galactic riffs in 1976, I was blown away. From Scholz' mastery of guitar to Delp's fine vocals..... This was my theme song of the Late '70's. I spent countless hours blasting the tune out of my truck from my Craig Power Play at 110 decibels. My friends knew when I was coming. I know this syncopated riff classic was swiped from the James Gang's book of riffs (Tend my Garden), but I didn't care. 1
Piece of Mind- Another fabulously great song by Boston. Maybe the greatest harmony in the late '70's The last minute of the synched guitar work in layered progression is still a feat that seems near to impossible to replicate. 2
Foreplay/Longtime- Another excellent excellent one from a Side 1 that was mouth droopingly great. Wow.... just wow. 3
Now I issue a challenge ..... Look at yours and your friends copy of this LP. I'll bet money side 1 is a helluva lot more worn than Side 2.
That was no accident, as you will see.
Side 2
Rock and Roll Band- I knew it couldn't last. Pedestrian sounding tune that was pointless on content and inspiration, Who gives a shit about your record contracts, and rise to power. To me this whole side is strange, and the fact they spent their entire creative capital in one bang was crazy. The song itself is strong, for most bands.... Problem is, that Boston teased us with greatness, and good, just wasn't good enough. 6
Smokin'- Best on Side 2- Straight forward standard rock tune, and pretty in tune with all the smoke filled cars that were cruising in the day. Best keyboard on the LP, if you are into that part of Boston's repertoire . 4
Hitch a Ride- Ugh!!!! When Boston does ballads.... They suck. Nice keyboard solo work at the mid point of this number does not fully redeem this cut. 7
Something About You- Decent stuff. Not to Side 1 standards though. Also at this point you are getting somewhat of a 1 dimensional feel to this band's sound. At least on side 2. 5
Let Me Take You Home Tonight- Another sappy crappy Boston Ballad. An awful ending to an album that started on a pace to be one of the greatest of all time. 8
This is an interesting pick in the context, I have rightfully bestowed the highest ranking (5*) for this classic. But it is not a perfect album in that respect. The better half of this LP, is the close to the GOAT, in the AOR-isphere. And in retrospect, this is one of those cases, where a half an album merits, being among the best. Because, from my corner POV, I view sappy ballads as a travesty, when you have a band that has the ability to fill an album with the same quality as "More Than a Feeling", and "Piece of Mind" Still, not enough to dock what is close to perfection rocking.
In Boston's Self Titled work in 1976, this is the case of vinyl schizophrenia. Don't get me wrong, this is maybe the most played work that I listened to in my entire youth. I wore out 3 albums and (4) 8 Tracks during the late '70's and early '80's. More than A Feeling is my favorite rock anthem of all time, and I literally played it 10,000's of times at 110 decibels. Piece of Mind is right up there too. Then the drop off commences. Here is the rub..... Boston's wailing riffs and wonderful vocals mask the fact that their love ballads suck. To this day, I have never understood how they thought that formula of junking up half their albums with that stuff, is beyond me. And they continued that trend their entire damned career. Just think what would have become of Boston, if they had stuck with what worked.
To me this was the golden age of guitar wizardry. Tom Scholz and EVH epitomized the change in that standard chording progression and solos were not absolute formulas anymore. They showed that the entire tune could revolve around guitar melodic schemes. Scholz didn't have the ability of self promotion EVH had, nor did he lead his band into a catalog that gave them a lasting legacy that VH had.
Still this is one of the best selling debut albums of all time, at 17M units. It also remained on the charts 132 weeks. No doubting its greatness and legacy. This album will remain relevant a 100 years from now.
So here is the rundown of the tunes, as in the past I have ranked them in blue.
Side 1
More Than a Feeling- When I first heard this guitar tour de force of galactic riffs in 1976, I was blown away. From Scholz' mastery of guitar to Delp's fine vocals..... This was my theme song of the Late '70's. I spent countless hours blasting the tune out of my truck from my Craig Power Play at 110 decibels. My friends knew when I was coming. I know this syncopated riff classic was swiped from the James Gang's book of riffs (Tend my Garden), but I didn't care. 1
Piece of Mind- Another fabulously great song by Boston. Maybe the greatest harmony in the late '70's The last minute of the synched guitar work in layered progression is still a feat that seems near to impossible to replicate. 2
Foreplay/Longtime- Another excellent excellent one from a Side 1 that was mouth droopingly great. Wow.... just wow. 3
Now I issue a challenge ..... Look at yours and your friends copy of this LP. I'll bet money side 1 is a helluva lot more worn than Side 2.
That was no accident, as you will see.
Side 2
Rock and Roll Band- I knew it couldn't last. Pedestrian sounding tune that was pointless on content and inspiration, Who gives a shit about your record contracts, and rise to power. To me this whole side is strange, and the fact they spent their entire creative capital in one bang was crazy. The song itself is strong, for most bands.... Problem is, that Boston teased us with greatness, and good, just wasn't good enough. 6
Smokin'- Best on Side 2- Straight forward standard rock tune, and pretty in tune with all the smoke filled cars that were cruising in the day. Best keyboard on the LP, if you are into that part of Boston's repertoire . 4
Hitch a Ride- Ugh!!!! When Boston does ballads.... They suck. Nice keyboard solo work at the mid point of this number does not fully redeem this cut. 7
Something About You- Decent stuff. Not to Side 1 standards though. Also at this point you are getting somewhat of a 1 dimensional feel to this band's sound. At least on side 2. 5
Let Me Take You Home Tonight- Another sappy crappy Boston Ballad. An awful ending to an album that started on a pace to be one of the greatest of all time. 8
