Foreigner

4

Another Mutt Masterpiece - the Midas Man of 80's Rock

Review Score:

(8/10)
Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the mastermind behind such classics as AC/DC's "Back in Black", Def Lepard's "Pyromania", the Cars' "Heartbeat City", this is one of Foreigner's best albums - and one of the defining moments of early 80's rock. This album has the classic "Mutt" sound of blending the boundaries of metal guitar riffs and mainstream melodies. The man is truly a musical midas, it seems everything "Mutt" touches turns to gold - or platinum. Including Shania.

I learned to play "air guitar" to this album. Everytime I listen, it brings back fond memories of bouncing around the living room, stereo turned up full blast, imagining that I am living out that adolescent dream of being a rock god just like in the song.

The disc has a number of great songs that are not available on the various Foreigner greatest hits compilations. It is well worth your time even if you've already purchased one of those albums.

However, if you already own the original 4 album, don't bother getting this remastered version. While the sound is a little better on the remastered disc, the two bonus tracks are very weak - sad, actually. I saw on VH1 that Lou Graham has had serious health problems - well, he sounds incredibly out of breath on the songs. It made me feel quite sorry for him. After hearing the last two bonus tracks, I no longer felt like a young teen rocking to my air guitar - instead, I was brought back to reality, with the realization that the juke box heroes of our youth become the has-beens to subsequent generations.

But still, the original album rocks.

More Reviews: