Terry's Reviews
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Loverboy Classics – Their Greatest
Hits Columbia/Legacy – 1994 Loverboy is a band that I think has something for everyone. They mix things up pretty good between rocking hard and ballads. Mike Reno’s voice is an unmistakable stamp and Paul Dean’s guitar playing is pretty damn cool. Doug Johnson’s keyboards came ahead of the curve. Matt Frenette’s drums and Scott Smith’s bass work always set the base for the others to play off. |
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| "Turn Me Loose" has been a radio staple
since it first was played on the airwaves in 1980. "Working For The Weekend"
captures what we all feel about the normal workweek. Paul Dean plays a mean wah-wah guitar
rhythm in "Take Me To The Top." "Take Kid Is Hot Tonite" takes me back to my high school church softball games in the early 80s, because the first Loverboy was one of the albums we use to listen to driving to and from games. It’s very interesting to read in the song anecdotes that Loverboy enlisted the help of Jonathan Cain from Journey to nail this "This Could Be The Night." If girls weren’t interested in the band before this song, they’d be hooked after hearing this ballad. "Jump" is a party symbolized through music and lyrics. For some reason I’ve always felt that "Loving’ Every Minute Of It" was funny because of the "Woo–Ohh-Ohh-Ohh" background vocals. Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora collaborated with the band on "Notorious." Mike Reno got together with Ann Wilson of Heart to create "Almost Paradise" for the FOOTLOOSE soundtrack. I really like the contrast of the light opening of "Lucky Ones" that changes to a harder darker edge. Scott Smith conceived "Destination Heartbreak" as a somber, moody tune and it does have that effect. "Hot Girls In Love" is one of the bands sillier tunes but is harmless good fun. The keyboard intro "When It’s Over" mixed with distorted guitar mixes beautifully. "It’s Your Life" is a keyboard busy little tune to jumble things. "Gangs In The Street" is Loverboy on a more serious level and I like the heavier, dark feel. It’s been said that "Heaven In Your Eyes" nearly destroyed the band. I find that fascinating as it means the band was battling between art and commerce. Knowing this gives me a whole new perspective on Loverboy as a band. This CD is a classic that absolutely should be part of everyone’s collection. |
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