After a gap of some four years, Mick Jones and the guys have returned to thrill and delight all you AOR junkies. But will it be the same without the larynx of Lou Gramm? I hear you cry.
Well, the simple answer is yes. Opening track "Only Heaven Knows" sets the ball rolling with a retrospective FOREIGNER sound that is more reminiscent of 4 or Head Games, then they begin to show their teeth with second track "Low Down and Dirty," a bit of a belter, which, incidentally, was the first single to come off this opus. Obviously trying to lose their ballad tag that has shadowed them since the dawn of time.
Talking of ballads, next up for analysis is "I'll Fight For You." It kinda lights the blue touch paper, fizzles for a while, and, just as you are about to return to it, the damn thing ascends with one of those choruses that really hits you right there. The technical term is 'it connects,' so I'm reliably informed.
Unfortunately, here's where I open the trash can and forget the next two tracks, "Moment of Truth" is more a Bryan Adams track with lyrics that make me cringe. This is repeated in the forgettable "Mountain of Love." Mountain of something beginning with 'S' more like.
And so to the other side. This is where the real sound of Foreigner shows through with timeless tracks, like "Ready for the Rain," "When the Night Comes Down," and "Safe in My Heart."
Sure, new man Johnny Edwards does have overtones of Lou Gramm, but he also possesses his own individuality as a singer. "No Hiding Place" jumps all over your cochlea just to hammer the message home that they left the lights on and the music up full when they'd finished. "Flesh Wound" and the title track "Unusual Heat" round up the proceedings with the fur flying.
Grade A-
Peter Grant
Riff Raff
July 1991
Unfortunately, here's where I open the trash can and forget the next two tracks, "Moment of Truth" is more a Bryan Adams track with lyrics that make me cringe. This is repeated in the forgettable "Mountain of Love." Mountain of something beginning with 'S' more like.
And so to the other side. This is where the real sound of Foreigner shows through with timeless tracks, like "Ready for the Rain," "When the Night Comes Down," and "Safe in My Heart."
Sure, new man Johnny Edwards does have overtones of Lou Gramm, but he also possesses his own individuality as a singer. "No Hiding Place" jumps all over your cochlea just to hammer the message home that they left the lights on and the music up full when they'd finished. "Flesh Wound" and the title track "Unusual Heat" round up the proceedings with the fur flying.
Grade A-
Peter Grant
Riff Raff
July 1991
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