Rock Evolution – The History of Rock & Roll - 1984 - (page 198)

OB1 said:
What a star you are. Thank you.

In that case, I can add my fourth pick very easily. You might have been expecting this one.

La Villa Strangiato by Rush

I am on record multiple times saying this is the greatest instrumental track by a rock band. Inspired by guitarist Alex Lifeson's dreams, it's a wonderful example of the powerhouse trio's composition skills and musicianship. The musical equivalent of a dark Disney ride.
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Yes, that's the Hemispheres track I was expecting.
 
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I referenced in the 1977 review that the American “stadium” rock was all powerful at this time.
Styx reached their peak, firstly with “The Grand Illusion then in ‘78 released “Pieces of Eight”.
Quite probably in my Top Ten albums I could pick any one of six tracks but decided to go for
Great White Hope.
 
RobMCFC said:
Yes, that's the Hemispheres track I was expecting.
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Glad I didn't disappoint. You might not have got it if I only had four picks ;-)

Bit now I'll reveal my 5th pick.

Only You Can Rock Me by UFO.

This is from their "Obsession" album, the last studio album from their classic line-up. Lead guitarist, probably the greatest German rock guitarist, Michael Schenker departed the band in late 1978, but not before contributing to one of the great double live albums. The track features a great riff, although that was quite possibly bassist Pete Way's creation. Schenker used to insist on songwriting credits on songs just for his solos, and his contribution in that department to this song is a towering masterpiece - short but out of this world. The chorus is simple, melodic and memorable. this track became a fimr favourite from the moment I first played the album and is another track that I have a sentimental attachment to.
 
Pick #6 - REO Speedwagon: Roll with the Changes

Three years before their big breakout, REO released this masterpiece, their finest track in my opinion. It opens their magnificently titled 1978 album "You Can Tune a Piano but You Can't Tuna Fish", possibly the greatest album title ever.
It's a slice of melodic mid western rock n roll. Composer Kevin Cronin's distincive vocals and piaono lead the way, while one of rock's most under appreciated guitarists Gary Richrath fills every possbile gap with his wailing guitar. The pièce de résistance comes towards the end with Neal Doughty's memorable Hammond Organ solo and Richrath's multiple solos.
 
My last nomination was Ra Ra Rasputin so from the ridiculous to the sublime with a track from their self titled debut album...

Pat Metheny Group - San Lorenzo
 
Heaven Tonight was Cheap Trick's third, and probably best, studio album, featuring another cover (like Living Color before it) with Zander and Petersson on the front and Nielsen and Carlos on the back, this time in gatefold format revealing them all to be, somewhat weirdly, in a bathroom.
It gave them their first hit, the wonderful
Surrender - Cheap Trick
 
homerdog said:
Heaven Tonight was Cheap Trick's third, and probably best, studio album, featuring another cover (like Living Color before it) with Zander and Petersson on the front and Nielsen and Carlos on the back, this time in gatefold format revealing them all to be, somewhat weirdly, in a bathroom.
It gave them their first hit, the wonderful
Surrender - Cheap Trick
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But this has saved me a pick; although I'd have gone for the live version from At Budokanm which was recorded and released in Japan in 1978 although it did not get a US release until 1979.

One of my top 2 Cheap Trick tracks. Pop rock perfection, made all the better by the KISS reference. Sits up among my favourite tracks by any artist.
 
OB1 said:
But this has saved me a pick; although I'd have gone for the live version from At Budokanm which was recorded and released in Japan in 1978 although it did not get a US release until 1979.

One of my top 2 Cheap Trick tracks. Pop rock perfection, made all the better by the KISS reference. Sits up among my favourite tracks by any artist.
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Budokan is definitely their best album, the songs are all better live, but I didn't realise it came out in '78 in Japan.

I also love the Kiss reference; Cheap Trick's grateful thanks for the leg-up they got after supporting them on the Love Gun tour.
 
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I have been ploughing through my options and harvested Heavy Horses by Jethro Tull as Pick #7.

I saw Jethro tull on tour for the second time when they were out promoting the album of which this is the title track, the second of two bucolic beauties that made up Tull's rural rock 'n' folk period. Horses were a big part of my life in 1978 because I spent most of my long summer holiday working at a riding school in Llanbedrog North Wales. Different horses but Tull main man Ian Anderson beautifully captures the essence of these marvellous creatures.
 
By way of contrast to Ian Anderson's refined and intelligent musings, pick #8 is as dumb as they come. This is something of a deep cut: Gotta Keep a Runnin' by The Godz.

The Godz were a short lived heavee rock n roll band - Chuck Berry on a double dose of steroids and who knows what else. Their eponymous debut album was a master class in gonzoid rock. Superbly produced by Grand Funk drummer Don Brewer, The Godz ARE ROCK N ROLL MACHINES.
 
OB1 said:
I have been ploughing through my options and harvested Heavy Horses by Jethro Tull as Pick #7.

I saw Jethro tull on tour for the second time when they were out promoting the album of which this is the title track, the second of two bucolic beauties that made up Tull's rural rock 'n' folk period. Horses were a big part of my life in 1978 because I spent most of my long summer holiday working at a riding school in Llanbedrog North Wales. Different horses but Tull main man Ian Anderson beautifully captures the essence of these marvellous creatures.
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Homerdog saved you a pick and you've saved me one. There's a lot to like on that album so you've saved me from making a perverse choice by sticking with the title track. I've never had anything to do with horses but it's a beautifully evocative song.
 
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Saddleworth2 said:
Seeing we are moving back to huge playlists, here are my extra six. All singles that remind me of the year:

I will survive - Gloria Gaynor
Miss You - The Stones
Who are you - The Who
Dreadlock holiday - 10cc
Take me to the river - Talking Heads
Nevel let her slip away - Andrew Gold
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Never the biggest fan of the GG track but it is an essential inclusion.

“Who are You” was on my list of possible picks but was not going to make the 10. It’s one of The Who’s finest.

Hadn’t thought about “Dreadlock Holiday” but it’s one of my summer playlist perennials.

I think “Some Girls” was the first studio album of the Stones that I bought. I played it a lot and it’s still fun - Stones playing with (then) contemporary influences. Think my favourite track from it is “Before They Make Me Run”.
 
With OB1 and Sadds going full on blitz, I can't wait much longer to get mine in too. I had Rush, REO, and Styx on my shortlists, so I will just roll with the changes here.

Bob Seger's Stranger in Town is one of his best, but I'm not giving you all the overplayed greats such as "Old Time Rock and Roll", "Still the Same", and "We've Got Tonite", all classic songs that most of us know by heart.

I've always been partial to the non-single beautiful closer, that could serve as any good-bye song in any context. It moves me every time, and that's what this is about for me.

The Famous Final Scene - Bob Seger
 
As I noted on the '77 playlist, I'm a big fan of the song 1/song 2 combos.

One of my favorite bands of the late 70's and early 80's also released their debut album this year, and from what I can see, they haven't been taken yet.

I know @FogBlueInSanFran nominated their 2nd album in the Album Review thread, so I'm surprised he isn't here as we enter in a period he'd surely enjoy (save Bob Seger, Eagles, Dire Straits, and I'm sure others).

Their debut album was one of the first ones I remember hearing in junior high that every single song was a FM radio hit - and all of these were released on singles. That's hard to beat this side of the Beatles.

While Ric Ocasek took the front and center of his band, to me it was the late Benjamin Orr that gave them their soul and spirit. Just an amazing singer with vocals that made any pre-teen kid feel like they could sing along to on the radio, when in reality that was far from the truth.

This wasn't the loudest song combo, but I'd nearly rank it #1 of the most iconic transitions with that dreamy new wave sound that I loved so much. Written by Ocasek and keyboardist Greg Hawkes, Orr just delivers his vocal best and my sentimental favourite album enders.

Moving In Stereo / All Mixed Up - The Cars (BOTH songs, PLEASE!) ;-)

She tricks me into thinkin'
I can't believe my eyes
I wait for her forever
But she never does arrive

(post edit: Good enough for Judge Reinhold, good enough for me!)
 
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