Boston - Don't Look Back [1978]

Having spent the past few days doing not much other then throwing a Boston vinyl on or watching Brad Delp live videos on youtube, I thought the perfect way to start things here would be with a Boston album. Unfortunately, Delp has now passed on, but his hard hitting vocals haven't stopped ringing in my ears.

The follow up to the seminal mid 70's hit Boston wasn't quite on par with their debut but did nothing to damage their reputation as a guitar driven force in the rock world. Tom Scholz pounded out another solid set of songs after a two year wait with a little pressure from the record company. A master of patience and perfection Scholz may have preferred to wait longer but what we got was certainly what the doctor ordered.

The album kicks off with the self-titled classic with a howling guitar and a hook you soon won't forget. The boys wouldn't alter from this formula all too much on this album, much like their eponymous debut. The A side blasts out another hard rocker in 'It's Easy' before giving way to the very over rated side closer 'A Man I'll Never Be'. While the premise may be somewhat good and easy to relate to, the song is too long and too ballad like for a Boston song. It sounds more like something that would belong on their third record and doesn't fit in with the rest of the song list.

Luckily for us side two does not let down. Immediately picking things back up is 'Feelin' Satisfied', one of the best party songs Scholz would ever pen. Delp gets his shot at writing with the next two tracks co-writing 'Party' and taking full credit on another great tune 'Used to Bad News'.

The album closes on a consistent pace and leaves you wanting more. Delp's vocals remain just as rich and loud as the previous album and Scholz guitar as unique and rough as before. The crew would lose all but Delp and Scholz by the time the long awaited Third Stage would be released in 1986, but this remains a great effort from the New England band.

1. Don't Look Back [*****]
2. The Journey [***]
3. It's Easy [***]
4. A Man I'll Never Be [*]
5. Feelin' Satisfied [*****]
6. Party [***]
7. Used to Bad News [***]
8. Don't Be Afraid [***]

Album Rating = 3.5/5

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