Thursday, May 19, 2016

"Heart In Pieces" by Chicago

Chicago has become one of the most successful groups of all-time. Despite numerous line up changes that included the departure of the distinctive voice of Peter Cetera in 1985, the band has carried on, adapting its sound to fit the times.

They had their first charting single with "Questions 67 And 68" in 1969, which first hit #71, then put them on the map at #24 when reissued in 1971. They sustained a strong top 10 presence through the 70s and 80s, hitting the #1 spot several times with "If You Leave Me Now" (1976), "Hard To Say I'm Sorry" (1982), and "Look Away" (1988). The latter came from the band's "19" album, their last to yield big hits. 

Despite a bevy of hits, "19" only went to #37. The album was mined for multiple singles - in addition to "Look Away", "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" went to #3, "You're Not Alone" went to #10, and "We Can Last Forever" went to #55. "What Kind Of Man Would I Be?", which went to #5 in 1989, was also on "19" but technically released from their hugely successful "Greatest Hits 1982-1989" compilation.

"19" begins with another potential ready-friendly single, but "Heart In Pieces" was not released. To me, it helps build the case that "19" was one of the most perfect albums to capture the grandiose AOR 80s sound.

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