Foreigner ~ Double Vision
Released in 1978 on Atlantic Records
Rock / Hard Rock
Personnel:
• Dennis Elliott - drums, vocals
• Ed Gagliardi - bass, vocals
• Lou Gramm - lead vocals, percussion
• Al Greenwood - synthesizer, keyboard
• Mick Jones - guitar, piano, keyboard, vocals
• Ian McDonald - guitar, keyboard, vocals, reeds
• Ian Lloyd – background vocals
1. "Hot Blooded" (Gramm, Jones) – 4:29
2. "Blue Morning, Blue Day" (Jones, Gramm) – 3:12
3. "You're All I Am" (Jones) – 3:24
4. "Back Where You Belong" (Jones) – 3:15
5. "Love Has Taken Its Toll" (Gramm, McDonald) – 3:31
6. "Double Vision" (Jones, Gramm) – 3:44
7. "Tramontane" (Greenwood, Jones, McDonald) – 3:55
8. "I Have Waited So Long" (Jones) – 4:06
9. "Lonely Children" (Jones) – 3:37
10. "Spellbinder" (Gramm, Jones) – 4:49
The Album
The sophomore release from Foreigner didn’t fall prey to the curse, the curse that all bands face when they have a powerful debut, the 2nd release tends to fall short of expectations. This album was just the opposite, and actually outsold the debut and was just as solid as the first release. “Double Vision” had the AOR greats “Hot Blooded”, “Double Vision”, and “Blue Morning, Blue Day”. This album also features the only instrumental song ever released on a Foreigner studio album, “Tramontane”. “Double Vision” sticks to the same formula the band used for its first release; strong melodies, sexually driven lyrics, big guitar riffs, and simple rhythms. Once you mix that formula with the vocal greatness of Lou Gramm and the outstanding musical direction and guitar riffage of Mick Jones, you end up with an album and band that helped define the classics of the 70’s. “Double Vision” solidified the bands reputation as one of the best hard rocking AOR bands of the 70’s.
The Music:
”Hot Blooded” ~ A classic head-bobbing song. The droning drum intro is great and the solo mid song has a great guitar hook. This song has become a staple for the band at concerts, fans just love the beat and sexual innuendos of the lyrics.
”Blue Morning, Blue Day” ~ This song has a great melody, some simple rhythms, and Lou’s vocals talents are up and down the scale. The lyrics are something we all can identify with; “Can’t you see what your love has done to me”.
”You’re All I Am” ~ A ballad written by Mick Jones. Simple, cheesy, and sappy, but very nice with a short synth driven solo mid song.
”Back Where You Belong” ~ Another ballad written by Mick Jones. The opening riff is great, then the music goes into some synthesized guitars and other synth work that I am not overly fond of. Eh, I guess the song is ok…..nothing special, though.
”Love Has Taken Its Toll” ~ After two ballads, the band gets back to the program with a decent rocker. Lou does a really good job on this song, which makes the song worth listening to. This song is heavy with synthesized keyboard sounds, and I must say, this song is the band’s weakest musical link.
”Double Vision” ~ This is classic Foreigner. “OHHH, Double Vision, OHHH, I need double vision, my double vision gets the best of me” awesome! This is one of my favorite songs from Foreigner.
”Tramontane” ~ This is an overlooked gem. The song is synthesized to the max, and shows off the talents of Al Greenwood, and he could really make it work. This is the only instrumental the band would ever release on a studio album, which I find a total shame, since Greenwood was loaded with talent. I believe Jones held him back, but I could be wrong.
”I Have Waited So Long” ~ Another one of Jones’ ballads. The music is decent, but I am not real fond of these sappy ballads from Foreigner. I do want to bring to light, though, Greenwood’s synth work mid song, he really does a good job.
”Lonely Children” ~ And we are back to rockin’ the house. This is another overlooked song by Foreigner. Not one of their best, but the sound is so classic to Foreigner.
”Spellbinder” ~ The grand finale of the album, and what a spectacular ending. I really like this song. The melody is mesmerizing, and Jones’ solo is pretty decent. Lou is at his vocal best.
Even though this album did better in sales, I still find the debut album a tad better. As we all know, this wasn’t the last we would hear from Foreigner, and the next two albums, IMO, are the best the band ever recorded…….but those are reserved for more reviews
I give this album a 4/5 for listening pleasure
Released in 1978 on Atlantic Records
Rock / Hard Rock
Personnel:
• Dennis Elliott - drums, vocals
• Ed Gagliardi - bass, vocals
• Lou Gramm - lead vocals, percussion
• Al Greenwood - synthesizer, keyboard
• Mick Jones - guitar, piano, keyboard, vocals
• Ian McDonald - guitar, keyboard, vocals, reeds
• Ian Lloyd – background vocals
1. "Hot Blooded" (Gramm, Jones) – 4:29
2. "Blue Morning, Blue Day" (Jones, Gramm) – 3:12
3. "You're All I Am" (Jones) – 3:24
4. "Back Where You Belong" (Jones) – 3:15
5. "Love Has Taken Its Toll" (Gramm, McDonald) – 3:31
6. "Double Vision" (Jones, Gramm) – 3:44
7. "Tramontane" (Greenwood, Jones, McDonald) – 3:55
8. "I Have Waited So Long" (Jones) – 4:06
9. "Lonely Children" (Jones) – 3:37
10. "Spellbinder" (Gramm, Jones) – 4:49
The Album
The sophomore release from Foreigner didn’t fall prey to the curse, the curse that all bands face when they have a powerful debut, the 2nd release tends to fall short of expectations. This album was just the opposite, and actually outsold the debut and was just as solid as the first release. “Double Vision” had the AOR greats “Hot Blooded”, “Double Vision”, and “Blue Morning, Blue Day”. This album also features the only instrumental song ever released on a Foreigner studio album, “Tramontane”. “Double Vision” sticks to the same formula the band used for its first release; strong melodies, sexually driven lyrics, big guitar riffs, and simple rhythms. Once you mix that formula with the vocal greatness of Lou Gramm and the outstanding musical direction and guitar riffage of Mick Jones, you end up with an album and band that helped define the classics of the 70’s. “Double Vision” solidified the bands reputation as one of the best hard rocking AOR bands of the 70’s.
The Music:
”Hot Blooded” ~ A classic head-bobbing song. The droning drum intro is great and the solo mid song has a great guitar hook. This song has become a staple for the band at concerts, fans just love the beat and sexual innuendos of the lyrics.
”Blue Morning, Blue Day” ~ This song has a great melody, some simple rhythms, and Lou’s vocals talents are up and down the scale. The lyrics are something we all can identify with; “Can’t you see what your love has done to me”.
”You’re All I Am” ~ A ballad written by Mick Jones. Simple, cheesy, and sappy, but very nice with a short synth driven solo mid song.
”Back Where You Belong” ~ Another ballad written by Mick Jones. The opening riff is great, then the music goes into some synthesized guitars and other synth work that I am not overly fond of. Eh, I guess the song is ok…..nothing special, though.
”Love Has Taken Its Toll” ~ After two ballads, the band gets back to the program with a decent rocker. Lou does a really good job on this song, which makes the song worth listening to. This song is heavy with synthesized keyboard sounds, and I must say, this song is the band’s weakest musical link.
”Double Vision” ~ This is classic Foreigner. “OHHH, Double Vision, OHHH, I need double vision, my double vision gets the best of me” awesome! This is one of my favorite songs from Foreigner.
”Tramontane” ~ This is an overlooked gem. The song is synthesized to the max, and shows off the talents of Al Greenwood, and he could really make it work. This is the only instrumental the band would ever release on a studio album, which I find a total shame, since Greenwood was loaded with talent. I believe Jones held him back, but I could be wrong.
”I Have Waited So Long” ~ Another one of Jones’ ballads. The music is decent, but I am not real fond of these sappy ballads from Foreigner. I do want to bring to light, though, Greenwood’s synth work mid song, he really does a good job.
”Lonely Children” ~ And we are back to rockin’ the house. This is another overlooked song by Foreigner. Not one of their best, but the sound is so classic to Foreigner.
”Spellbinder” ~ The grand finale of the album, and what a spectacular ending. I really like this song. The melody is mesmerizing, and Jones’ solo is pretty decent. Lou is at his vocal best.
Even though this album did better in sales, I still find the debut album a tad better. As we all know, this wasn’t the last we would hear from Foreigner, and the next two albums, IMO, are the best the band ever recorded…….but those are reserved for more reviews
I give this album a 4/5 for listening pleasure
