The flash of '80s rock lives on in this greatest hits compilation by a band that bridged the gap between heavy rock, new wave and disco.
Canada's Loverboy hit the scene in 1980 with its self-titled debut album and, thanks to good looks, rocking melodies and danceable beats, shot to the top of every FM radio playlist around the country.As bassist Scott Smith tells us in the album's liner notes, "Our concerts were a celebration of life at a time when the future held nothing but promise. . . ."
Many may wonder what it would take to get in touch with that feeling once more. The answer: this release.
Fans as well as historians may remember Loverboy as being the era's New Kids on the Block. But unlike that band, Loverboy played for real. It was fast, heavy and fun.
"Turn Me Loose," the band's trademark pomp, progressively starts off the album with Doug Johnson's keyboard strands and Smith's Red-Ryder-like bass lines. Guitarist Paul Dean's chunky power chords come in and mix with Matt Frenette's booming tom toms as vocalist Mike Reno's silver-pitched tenor brings it on home.
From there the hits from the Loverboy's seven-year tenure with Columbia Records emerge, strut and close.
The nostalgic cowbell intro to "Working for the Weekend" comes in right before the demo-single "Take Me to the Top " (both from the band's second album, "Get Lucky").
Each band member is highlighted well on a different song. Just listen to Frenette's soaring fill rolling down his drum kit during "Lucky Ones" - definitely a gem caught for the moment.
The band's first single, "The Kid Is Hot Tonite," comes in loud and clear with the trend-setting guitar chug that inspired so many Loverboy protoges, and is set beside Loverboy's first real love ballad, "This Could Be the Night," a song released later in Loverboy's career, co-written by Journeyman Jonathan Cain.
Cain isn't the only musician who inspired the band to new sounds.
Bryan Adams - who in 1980 was also an up-and-coming star - turned over the rights to the bopping arrangement of "Jump." Likewise, a few years later New Jersey rock king Jon Bon Jovi and his possehead Richie Sambora pushed the pens with Dean and Reno to create the speed-demon sound of "Notorious."
Heart's Ann Wilson stepped in to sing "Almost Paradise," a ballad taken from the "Footloose" movie soundtrack.
Another soundtrack ballad, "Heaven in Your Eyes," from "Top Gun," closes the album.
Every song here is balanced well with an '80s rock mix. And those who don't know the significance of Loverboy will be surprised to learn that million-dollar producer Bob Rock cut his teeth as engineer on Loverboy's first two albums.
Take a listen and try to remember what you were doing when this band played the hits - even if it is a little cheesy at times.
LOVERBOY: "Classics - Their Greatest Hits," including "Turn Me Loose," "Working for the Weekend," "Take Me to the Top," "The Kid Is Hot Tonite," "This Could Be the Night," "Jump," "Lovin' Every Minute Of It," "Notorious," "Almost Paradise," "Lucky Ones," "Destination Heartbreak," "Hot Girls in Love," "When It's Over," "It's Your Life," "Gangs in the Street," "Heaven in Your Eyes."