This is the second album released in ’78 from this Anglo-American band. The credentials from the British contingent would suggest that they would lead in a progressive direction, seeing as Mick Jones was a member of Spooky Tooth, and Ian McDonald was a member of King Crimson. All the American members were basically unknowns, and they got lucky with the finding of vocalist Lou Gramm, as he had the million dollar voice.
The band set out using the Free/Bad Company blueprint of a hard edged blues rock group, and Hit Blooded and Double Vision off this album show that perfectly – both were released as singles. The intro being blatantly stolen by Autograph for their smash Turn Up The Radio. There are moments where the Beatles are obvious inspiration, like in Back Where You Belong with the Sgt. Pepper melodies. Then there are nods to the future with the ballads, You’re All I Am, and I Have Waited So Long. Here, Gramm’s million dollar voice came into its own, and the ballads would make Foreigner the housewives favourite.
To emphasize how big the band were in the US, the first five albums all went multi platinum and they couldn’t put a foot wrong.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
