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This was Boston's fourth album. The band has become notorious for taking excessively long to put out albums; this was released in 1994, their previous album, "Third Stage", came out in 1986. Part of the issue here was tension between the group's core members, guitarist Tom Scholz and vocalist Brad Delp. Scholz has always been a perfectionist, and a control freak. He originally wanted his own demos to be released as the band's first album; he played just about every instrument himself and recorded it all in his own basement. The record company intervened, and he was not happy with the results. The second album was 'rushed' by the record company, prompting Scholz to take 8 years to release their the album, after many lawsuits and the departure of every member but Delp.
Scholz's perfectionist attitude eventually got to Delp as well, promoting him to leave the group, and eventually create the band RTZ, which released a single album and sounded a lot like Boston. But he came back in time to do the vocals for "Walk On". The album went platinum, and peaked at #7 on the charts. One single, "I Need Your Love", received some airplay, but didn't chart very well.
This album very much captures the Boston sound, but by the time it was released, time had seemingly passed them by. The rock roots from when they came from in the 70's had been replaced by the grunge movement. Scholz's polishing of every note was the exact opposite of what was going on in the music scene at the time. The band didn't evolve in time, and so many were disappointed with the results.
Having the luxury of being twenty years on and being able to put the album properly in context with the band's work instead with the scene of the time, this turns out to be a very good album. "I Need Your Love" is a fine single that would fit in with any of their albums. "Magdalene" is even better. In the vein of "Amanda", it's all that Boston's radio releases are about, the majestic guitars hacked by a tremendous explosion of harmonies. Parts of this bring "We're Ready" to mind.
The single tracks are fine; a fair criticism would be that they are very much similar to each other. By the real been here is the "Walk On" suite. It's a four part piece in the tradition of "Foreplay/Long Time", but much more ambitious. "Walk On" itself, the first piece, would have made a good single, but the other three extend it into sorry of a prog rock bit, filled with their trademark harmonies, Hammond organ solos, and of course the Boston guitar sound. It's a great piece, too long for radio, buy great for concerts, or for long drives.
I don't want to oversell this album, it is not nearly as good as "Boston", and some of the writing is less than inspired. But it's become something of a hidden gem. If you like the Boston sound, you will get your fill here. The band has since changed direction, and Delp has passed away, so this will stand as the last true Boston album. If you like the first three, there will definitely be something here for you.
Scholz's perfectionist attitude eventually got to Delp as well, promoting him to leave the group, and eventually create the band RTZ, which released a single album and sounded a lot like Boston. But he came back in time to do the vocals for "Walk On". The album went platinum, and peaked at #7 on the charts. One single, "I Need Your Love", received some airplay, but didn't chart very well.
This album very much captures the Boston sound, but by the time it was released, time had seemingly passed them by. The rock roots from when they came from in the 70's had been replaced by the grunge movement. Scholz's polishing of every note was the exact opposite of what was going on in the music scene at the time. The band didn't evolve in time, and so many were disappointed with the results.
Having the luxury of being twenty years on and being able to put the album properly in context with the band's work instead with the scene of the time, this turns out to be a very good album. "I Need Your Love" is a fine single that would fit in with any of their albums. "Magdalene" is even better. In the vein of "Amanda", it's all that Boston's radio releases are about, the majestic guitars hacked by a tremendous explosion of harmonies. Parts of this bring "We're Ready" to mind.
The single tracks are fine; a fair criticism would be that they are very much similar to each other. By the real been here is the "Walk On" suite. It's a four part piece in the tradition of "Foreplay/Long Time", but much more ambitious. "Walk On" itself, the first piece, would have made a good single, but the other three extend it into sorry of a prog rock bit, filled with their trademark harmonies, Hammond organ solos, and of course the Boston guitar sound. It's a great piece, too long for radio, buy great for concerts, or for long drives.
I don't want to oversell this album, it is not nearly as good as "Boston", and some of the writing is less than inspired. But it's become something of a hidden gem. If you like the Boston sound, you will get your fill here. The band has since changed direction, and Delp has passed away, so this will stand as the last true Boston album. If you like the first three, there will definitely be something here for you.