This was the band’s 11th studio release, and the last of their huge selling albums. After the release, the tour, and promotion, the band disappeared for seven years. When the band first started out, they were a progressive/pop rock band, but by the time this album was released, they had changed the sound to a pop rock outfit with their eyes on the singles chart.
To emphasize that point the opening track, Mr. Roboto, was a huge hit for the band. The concept around the album was based around the censorship of music, and was aimed at the group Majority for Musical Morality – a right wing Christian group. After the strong opening of Mr Roboto, the very poppy Cold War is next, before the uber ballad Don’t Let It End, which was another huge smash. High Time closes out Side 1, and is another full on pop song. In fact, this band sounds nothing like the band that started out in ’72.
Side 2 begins with Heavy Metal Poisoning, a rather sanitized rocker. Just Get Through The Night is next, and it really should belong on Broadway as it’s more of a show tune. Double Life, and Haven’t We Been Here Before just trundle on by, and the last song is just a reprise of Don’t Let It End.
This album is a million miles away from Pieces Of Eight, which is a classic album. When the band returned, it was without Dennis De Young, and after this album I’m not surprised. Mr Roboto is the best song on the album in my opinion.
6/10 from The Grooveman.
