I haven't heard REO Speedwagon's 9 Lives, but I would add REO T.W.O. to the list
Established Artists: Hidden Gems/Classic Rock
Every major artist has an LP that for whatever reason didnt connect with their audience, had diminished sales, or was at the time a critical failure...however...over time this release has taken on a new light...here are 3:
Ac/dc-Flick of the Switch...largely ignored upon release, this Angus and Malcom production...especially on side 1..rivals any of their post BIB work...recorded at the same studio as BIB...it lacks the immediate clarity of that album...but still is a highly listenable experience.
REO Speedwagon-NINE lives...the last truly hard rock lp the band ever released before turning into an FM power ballad juggernaunt...9 boasts muscular riffs, Chuck Berry licks, and tough, yet clean production...it also reminds us of how criminally underrated Gary R. is as a lead guitarist...puzzling how this album is unknown to many...it is that good
VH:Fair Warning...side 2 is as dark and heavy as VH got...besides WACFirst...IS this love one of the best VH tracks ever committed to vinyl....side 1 has a fair amount of filler...but who cares...this rocks....
Ac/dc-Flick of the Switch...largely ignored upon release, this Angus and Malcom production...especially on side 1..rivals any of their post BIB work...recorded at the same studio as BIB...it lacks the immediate clarity of that album...but still is a highly listenable experience.
REO Speedwagon-NINE lives...the last truly hard rock lp the band ever released before turning into an FM power ballad juggernaunt...9 boasts muscular riffs, Chuck Berry licks, and tough, yet clean production...it also reminds us of how criminally underrated Gary R. is as a lead guitarist...puzzling how this album is unknown to many...it is that good
VH:Fair Warning...side 2 is as dark and heavy as VH got...besides WACFirst...IS this love one of the best VH tracks ever committed to vinyl....side 1 has a fair amount of filler...but who cares...this rocks....
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- 19 posts total
Used to be a Billy Joel fan back in the 70s but hadn't listened to him in years. Thought he was pretty much done for me until I found this track on a Leonard Cohen tribute album. He sings the hell out of this song. It gets me every time. |
Nanbil - You think The Who's - Quadrophenia; YES' - CTTE; Styx's - Grand Illusion ; Genesis' - Selling England... qualify as per the OP's intro???! Yeesh!! I never followed sales when these LPs were first released so can't compare their numbers to earlier releases but I can say for sure they were major LPs for me and had a big impact on others as well; especially going by FM radio air play back in the day. The exception for me being the Styx...just never a big fan of theirs but others were all over it. I'll be interested in your insights on the history of these releases. |
- 19 posts total