(Random) Classic Rock Album of the Day- Foreigner - Agent Provocateur (1984). ****
Thought I would try something new. With a couple of thousand of LP's, I figured it might be different and interesting to close the eyes, and point to one in a random fashion to review. Today's random pick was a big winner. And among my favorites by the band. This and IV were the creme of their discography. I see these being pretty damned close in quality. Especially when you include (IMO) some of the best rock love ballads every made. EZ both in top 10. (See below). Update: Forgot how damned good this was. I now view it as a tick above IV.
My praise runs generally counter with the pencil dicked professional music critics, who derided Foreigner as a nasty corporate driven AOR. Thank goodness most normal people don't listen to these shill and shrill ass holes, as this band had a lot of chart domination in the day, and in their careers sold over 30M units. Not really wanting to rehash the history of the band, but it bascially one of those super groups made from the ashes of Spooky Tooth, King Crimson, et.al. Though many failed like Asia, this band and the likes of Bad Company and a few others pulled off the trick of expending egos, and pooling their talents to the betterment of the product.
What I love about Foreigner is back to the matter of egos. No there aren't any musical GOATs in this band, but I consider the band (originals and replacements) consistently in the upper 1/3 tier of proficiency. Maybe the most standout aspect of their sound are Lou Gramm's vocals. He def. stands in that underrated category. OTOH, they did pull off some pretty damned good slick production feats, but a lot of that is that success breeds success. Mick Jones had a great knack and polishing the sound, and enlisted the likes of Muttt Lange (IV), that sure didn't hurt the mind set for thie preperation of this one. This is just bad ass AOR band that strangely has lost a step in collective thoughts of classic rock music fans. And that is a shame.
Fun Fact: Foreigner's first 5 albums all charted in the Top 5.
Un-Fun Fact: It took reaching 2024 for Foreigner to become a member of the so called silly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. F__ these assholes.
Side 1
---------
Tooth and Nail- Band starts the fun, with the most straight forward hard rocker on the LP. All the boxes are checked, and this still is a middle of the road number. Yep, this album is that good. 5
That Was Yesterday- Fantastic rock ballad, and still the 3rd best of that style on the album? I love how Foreigner incorporates synth without making it awkward ooze. Subtle and effective- 7
I Want to Know What Love Is. No secret, I have slammed rock ballads through these years of reviews. But this particular song may be the greatest IMO in that area. Beautifully written, and executed. The gospel choir was a perfect an ingenious touch of animated emotion to this masterfully present effort. Did any male rock singer outside of Mercury have more range? 1
Growing Up the Hard Way- This one almost has a Toto like feel to it. Though they do it even better. 8
Reaction to Action- In an album dominated by top tier balladry, this is the strongest rocker on the LP. Elliott's drumming is highlighted, and can't be overlooked- The definite "sleeper" candidate 3
Side 2-
-----------
Stranger in My Own House- Very competent, but succumbing to 80's hair band trends, and with bluesish intertwines? Hmmmm.... I won't call this filler, but is the weakest on a strong album - 10
A Love in Vein- Some unique synth, but this ballad-ish effort that seems more on lyrical content that music misses the mark. Gramm's voice shines, as it does on the rest of the LP-9
Down on Love- Awesone love ballad. This and "I Want to". create one of the best one two punch in this sub-genre history. With feeling, and the slight blues twinge...Band just just kills it. 2
Two Different Worlds- Another strong ballad like effort. Nicely builds, and works into an expansive work of art, working into to Mick Jones' best guitar solo on the album. Not many white guys sang with as much soul as Lou Gramm. 4
She's Too Tough- Harkens to early Foreigner. Middley-decent that feels like a Head Games like effort. I like nostalgia too. 6
Thought I would try something new. With a couple of thousand of LP's, I figured it might be different and interesting to close the eyes, and point to one in a random fashion to review. Today's random pick was a big winner. And among my favorites by the band. This and IV were the creme of their discography. I see these being pretty damned close in quality. Especially when you include (IMO) some of the best rock love ballads every made. EZ both in top 10. (See below). Update: Forgot how damned good this was. I now view it as a tick above IV.
My praise runs generally counter with the pencil dicked professional music critics, who derided Foreigner as a nasty corporate driven AOR. Thank goodness most normal people don't listen to these shill and shrill ass holes, as this band had a lot of chart domination in the day, and in their careers sold over 30M units. Not really wanting to rehash the history of the band, but it bascially one of those super groups made from the ashes of Spooky Tooth, King Crimson, et.al. Though many failed like Asia, this band and the likes of Bad Company and a few others pulled off the trick of expending egos, and pooling their talents to the betterment of the product.
What I love about Foreigner is back to the matter of egos. No there aren't any musical GOATs in this band, but I consider the band (originals and replacements) consistently in the upper 1/3 tier of proficiency. Maybe the most standout aspect of their sound are Lou Gramm's vocals. He def. stands in that underrated category. OTOH, they did pull off some pretty damned good slick production feats, but a lot of that is that success breeds success. Mick Jones had a great knack and polishing the sound, and enlisted the likes of Muttt Lange (IV), that sure didn't hurt the mind set for thie preperation of this one. This is just bad ass AOR band that strangely has lost a step in collective thoughts of classic rock music fans. And that is a shame.
Fun Fact: Foreigner's first 5 albums all charted in the Top 5.
Un-Fun Fact: It took reaching 2024 for Foreigner to become a member of the so called silly Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. F__ these assholes.
Side 1
---------
Tooth and Nail- Band starts the fun, with the most straight forward hard rocker on the LP. All the boxes are checked, and this still is a middle of the road number. Yep, this album is that good. 5
That Was Yesterday- Fantastic rock ballad, and still the 3rd best of that style on the album? I love how Foreigner incorporates synth without making it awkward ooze. Subtle and effective- 7
I Want to Know What Love Is. No secret, I have slammed rock ballads through these years of reviews. But this particular song may be the greatest IMO in that area. Beautifully written, and executed. The gospel choir was a perfect an ingenious touch of animated emotion to this masterfully present effort. Did any male rock singer outside of Mercury have more range? 1
Growing Up the Hard Way- This one almost has a Toto like feel to it. Though they do it even better. 8
Reaction to Action- In an album dominated by top tier balladry, this is the strongest rocker on the LP. Elliott's drumming is highlighted, and can't be overlooked- The definite "sleeper" candidate 3
Side 2-
-----------
Stranger in My Own House- Very competent, but succumbing to 80's hair band trends, and with bluesish intertwines? Hmmmm.... I won't call this filler, but is the weakest on a strong album - 10
A Love in Vein- Some unique synth, but this ballad-ish effort that seems more on lyrical content that music misses the mark. Gramm's voice shines, as it does on the rest of the LP-9
Down on Love- Awesone love ballad. This and "I Want to". create one of the best one two punch in this sub-genre history. With feeling, and the slight blues twinge...Band just just kills it. 2
Two Different Worlds- Another strong ballad like effort. Nicely builds, and works into an expansive work of art, working into to Mick Jones' best guitar solo on the album. Not many white guys sang with as much soul as Lou Gramm. 4
She's Too Tough- Harkens to early Foreigner. Middley-decent that feels like a Head Games like effort. I like nostalgia too. 6
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