Wednesday, May 31, 2017

"One Chain Don't Make No Prison" by The Four Tops

The legendary R&B outfit from Detroit known as The Four Tops dominated the charts in the latter half of the 60s and early 70s. Monster hits like "Baby I Need Your Loving" (#11), "I Can't Help Myself" (#1), "Reach Out I'll Be There" (#1), "Bernadette" (#4), and "Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got)" (#4) earned them a ranking of the 67th most successful artist of all-time.

By the mid-70s, the Four Tops were struggling to maintain their high profile on the charts, but this doesn't mean their material was getting weaker. Consider "One Chain Don't Make No Prison" for example. This is a brilliant song that deserved to go much higher than #41 in 1974.

The Four Tops had a comeback of sorts in 1981 with the #11 hit "When She Was My Girl." Their last chart appearance was in 1988 when "Indestructible," used in the Summer Olympics, reached #35. An appropriately titled song to celebrate a string of classics spanning three decades.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

"So Wrong" by Four O'Clock Balloon

It is hard to find info on this record I have from 1997, a self-titled release from a powerpop band called Four O'Clock Balloon. It is definitely worth tracking down if you like The Knack, Smithereens, or Cheap Trick. 

Among a bevy of catchy guitar-driven songs, "So Wrong" strikes me as one of this band's finest moments.

Friday, May 26, 2017

"Troubled Times" by Fountains of Wayne

Named after a lawn ornament shop in Wayne, New Jersey, the Fountains of Wayne began as a powerpop and rock duo consisting of Chris Collingwood and Adam Schlesinger. They had a minor hit right out of the gate in 1996 with "Radiation Vibe" cruising to #71. A devoted and loyal fanbase of powerpop junkies started to follow the band, which reached new heights in 2003 with the amusing "Stacy's Mom," which went to #21.

The first three Fountain of Wayne albums are like a holy trinity of pop rock masterpieces. What a roll these guys were on, yet hardly anyone but hard core fans knew of them. Take the wonderful song "Troubled Times" for instance, from their second album, "Utopia Parkway." The melodies, the harmonies, damn near perfection!

The band's music has been featured in tons of films and TV shows, but they never really got the attention they deserved. Their last album came out in 2011 and it appears they won't be doing anymore in the near future.

Thursday, May 25, 2017

"I'm Happy" by The Four Dates

The Four Dates from Philadelphia were the backing band for Frankie Avalon. They scored a top 100 hit of their own in 1958 with the peppy tune "I'm Happy." Lost in the crowd of be-bop songs at the time, this little number always lifts your mood and makes you want to dance. It had all the makings to be a classic, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

"Back On My Feet Again" by The Foundations

Everyone knows the English band The Foundations from their most popular hit, "Build Me Up Buttercup," which went to #3 in January of 1969. The band's debut single from 1967 also did very well - "Baby, Now That I Found You" went to #11.

"Back On My Feet Again" was released in-between those two monster hits and kind of fell through the cracks, topping out at #59. 

The band's last chart appearance was in July of 1969, when "My Little Chickadee" went to #99.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

"If I Can't Believe In You" by Fotomaker

New York band Fotomaker scratched the surface of the charts in the late 70s, but really should have become a household name. Stacked with talent, this band had members from The Raspberries and The Rascals. All of them shared vocal duties and wrote a treasure trove of catchy tunes and soulful ballads.

Two of the band's songs cracked the top 100 in 1978:  "Where Have You Been All My Life" went to #81 and "Miles Away" went to #63. Probably too long for radio, "If I Can't Believe In You" should have seen some chart time, too.

Monday, May 22, 2017

"Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" by Foster The People

Led by Mark Foster, Foster the People scored an unlikely hit in 2011 with their quirky tune "Pumped Up Kicks." The song, which stayed at #3 for 8 weeks, has some pretty awful verses, but its saving grace is the instantly memorable chorus.

"Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)" was the infectious third single from that album and deserved better than topping out at just #86. The band's follow-up record in 2014 failed to spawn any charting hits, putting the band in danger of being known as a one-hit wonder.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

"The Modern Day" by Foreigner

First invading the charts in the late 70s, the 80s belonged to Foreigner. With big hits like "Urgent" (#4), "Waiting For A Girl Like You" (#2), "I Want To Know What Love Is" (their only #1), "Say You Will" (#6), and "I Don't Want To Live Without You" (#5), this British-American group featuring Lou Gramm and Mick Jones became the 45th most successful act of the 80s.

By the late 80s, however, Gramm and Jones were dabbling in solo careers, with Gramm ultimately leaving to form the band Shadow King. He'd rejoin in 1992 to complete a handful of songs for another greatest hits compilation and the band's "Mr. Moonlight" record released in 1995. That album contained their last charting hit, "Until The End Of Time," which featured Duane Eddy on lead guitar and reached #42. Gramm would leave the group again in 2003, being replaced by Kelly Hansen from the band Hurricane.

The hits were well-deserved, but the band's back catalogue is filled with hidden gems that were overshadowed by the classics. "The Modern Day," for example, from 1979's record "Head Games," is an irresistible piece of happy pop rock. This tune is one of the few (only?) sung by Jones instead of Gramm.

Friday, May 12, 2017

"Mighty K.C." by For Squirrels

Two tragedies surround the Florida band For Squirrels. The song that was giving the band national recognition was called "Mighty K.C.," the K.C. standing for Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, not the dude from the Sunshine Band.

The band is rumored to have gotten its name because they would be willing to play for anyone in their struggling early days, even for squirrels. But their hard work and talent paid off, and they were set to release their major debut, "Example," in October 1995. Just one month prior, the band was involved in an accident that claimed the lives of singer Jack Vigliatura, bassist Bill White, and tour manager Tim Bender. 

The video is a tribute to those lost in the accident. Whenever I hear this song now, the line "things are going to change in our favor" always gives me chills. "Might y K.C." would reach #70 on the charts in early 1996 and illustrates the knack these guys had to blend grunge and pop. The haunting versus are chased away by an irresistibly sing-a-long chorus.

Thursday, May 11, 2017

"Shot Of Poison" by Lita Ford

Born in London, Lita Ford hit it big early in the states as a member of The Runaways. The blond bombshell struck gold again as a solo artist in 1988 with "Kiss Me Deadly," which smooched its way to #12. Her creepy duet with Ozzy Osbourne did ever better, scaring its way up to #8. These tunes helped boost her record, "Lita," to #29.

Lita's follow-up 1990 record, "Stilleto," fizzled, but she managed a minor comeback hit jumping on the "poison" bandwagon in 1991. A lot of poison was in music in the late 80s and early 90s, both literally and figuratively. We had a band named Poison, songs called "Poison" by Alice Cooper and Bell Biv DeVoe, and now Lita Ford's "Shot Of Poison." It is a catchy tune that deserved better than #45. It would serve as her last charting hit.  

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

"I Won't Grow Up" by The Fools

Boston band The Fools brought a punk attitude to their rock formula and made a small dent on the charts in the early 80s with "It's A Night For Beautiful Girls" (#67, 1980) and their cover of Roy Orbison's "Running Scared" (#50, 1981).

The Fools raised their profile in 1979 after releasing a parody recording of "Psycho Killer" by The Talking Heads called "Psycho Chicken."

The band's rebellious party boy style is best captured on the punk anthem "I Won't Grow Up." The track comes from their debut album, "Sold Out," which was supported by a tour with The Knack.

Monday, May 8, 2017

"Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)" by Foo Fighters

Named after UFO images spotted by World War II pilots, the Foo Fighters gave Dave Grohl and second chance at the rock and roll life after the tragic suicide of Nirvana's Kurt Cobain. Grohl quickly proved he was much more than a drummer, picking up songwriting, guitar, and vocal duties for the Foo Fighters. The first album was virtually a one man band effort. The debut album was a success and spawned two top 40 hits in 1995-6, "This Is The Call" (#35) and "Big Me" (#13).

The band has continued to achieve remarkable success since the 90s, but has only landed 3 additional top 40 hits with "Learn To Fly" (#19), "Best Of You" (#18), and "The Pretender" (#37). They've had plenty of other singles break the top 100, including my favorite, "Long Road To Ruin," which topped out at #89 in 2008. How that didn't go top 10 is beyond me.

"Cheer Up, Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)" is taken from the same album as "Ruin" - "Echoes, Silence, Patience, and Grace," which went to #3 on the Top 200 albums. This was the third single from the record and should have become another charting hit for the band.

Thursday, May 4, 2017

"Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds

I'm a sucker for father and son songs, and this one by Ben Folds is one of my all-time favorites. Mixing lyrics both mundane and profound seems an apt reflection of life's journey. Folds also manages to capture the pain of evolving relationships using both blunt (it sucks to grow up) and subtle phrasing (one day you'll fly away...from me). It was written for his son, Louis. 

"Still Fighting It" comes from his debut solo effort after taking a break from his band, Ben Folds Five. Released in 2001, "Rockin' The Suburbs" only reached #42 but is one of my desert island discs - a modern pop masterpiece.

Stunningly, this moving song did not drive up the charts. Folds only has one top 40 hit to date, and that goes back to 1997 when he scored with "Brick" (#19) while in Ben Folds Five. In my book, he is one of the greatest piano players and songwriters in music today and it is baffling he hasn't emerged as the Elton John of his generation.

Wednesday, May 3, 2017

"Windows And Walls" by Dan Fogelberg

Soft rock artist Dan Fogelberg got his start on the charts in 1975 with the #31 hit, "Part Of The Plan," which featured Graham Nash and Joe Walsh as musical guests. His follow-up hit, "The Power Of Gold," (#24 in 1978) featured a different Eagle on harmony vocals - Don Henley. If that wasn't enough, Fogelberg's #7 hit from 1981, "Hard To Say," featured Glenn Frey on harmony vocals. Which begs the question...what was his beef with Timothy B. Schmit?

Fogelberg graced the charts with other ballads like "Longer" (#2, his biggest hit), "Same Old Lang Syne" (#9), "Run For The Roses" (#18), and "Leader Of The Band" (#9). He could rock out a bit when he wanted to, like on "The Language Of Love" (#13) or "She Don't Look Back" (#85 in 1987, and his last chart appearance).

Not that he needed to release more ballads, but "Windows And Walls" ranks among one of his most heartbreaking tunes about loneliness and growing old. Maybe it was too sad for radio, but it certainly deserves your attention.

Sadly, Fogelberg left us too soon, dying of prostate cancer in 2007.

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

"Other Side Of Midnight" by FM

One of the wonders of the 80s is why British AOR band, FM, never received the recognition of their counterparts like Survivor or Foreigner. Their melodic rock tunes would have fit perfectly along the other stuff playing on the radio that decade.

"Other Side Of Midnight" comes from their 1986 record, "Indiscreet." Just the perfect tune to have blasting out of your speakers during a late summer night's drive through town.

Monday, May 1, 2017

"No Fear" by Fluid Sol

Mitch Malloy is a hugely underrated talent. Almost picked up as the third lead singer for Van Halen instead of Extreme's Gary Cherone, Malloy has largely fallen through the cracks after a minor hit in 1992 with "Anything At All."

While he has put out numerous solo records, Fluid Sol is the only band project that I know to be associated with Mitch Malloy. Fluid Sol is a little harder-edged and darker than his usual melodic rock style, but it works really well. Tracks like "Just Human" and "King of Nothing" have a sharp bite that sounded more contemporary for 2004, when this self-titled record was released.

"No Fear" is a catchy track that would satisfy any fan of Mitch Malloy and underscores the injustice that he is not a household name.