To: Adam
Love: Dave
Date Sent: 12/12/2018
Boston – Boston (Self-titled)
Release Date: August 25th, 1976
Adam, I meant every word that I said when I said you weren’t prepared for my next album. Listening once through will not do it justice. So it may be best that we have moved to sending albums on a weekly basis, so that you can have time to fully appreciate what your brain is trying to ingest. This has been hailed as one of the best rock debut albums. Like ever. I know what you are thinking: More Than a Feeling and that is it. I mean, it could end there, but I won’t let it. Even though it is their biggest radio hit that continues to be overplayed to this day, it actually is such a well-crafted song vocally and musically that I would gladly sit idly by, while it is played on repeat for the next century. My favorite song, by far, is the second song on the album, Peace of Mind. The first 3 songs on the album will knock you on your ass. Honestly from there, the rest of the songs would probably fall into the category of above-average 70’s pop-rock to me. I do like Hitchin’ A Ride, Smokin’ and Let Me Take You Home Tonight. Overall it is a tremendous album, but Adam… my focus is on the 2nd and 3rd songs.
For me, without question, the best part of the entire album is when Brad Delp (lead singer, we are bros. Actually, we are not, as he committed suicide in 2007. And somehow the band came out with another album in 2013 without him, which is like…umm I get you are good at guitar, but have you HEARD Delp’s voice? I mean, wtf are you thinking coming out with music without him, it’s over… but I digress) screams “TAKE A LOOK AHEAD” at the 1:50ish mark of Peace of Mind. Followed by a “Wooo” afterwards, as if Brad is telling us as listeners that yes, this is in fact God’s work, me singing at this fucking level. It’s like he surprised himself in the studio with the level of awesome he just took this song to. Delp does it later in the song again, but the initial “take a look ahead” makes you wonder if there is anything else worth listening to ever again. Maybe I am crazy, but the guitar riffs combined with his voice on this track take the cake for me.
I mean, song #3 is a two-part song that is best listened to on eleven and on repeat for a solid part of your afternoon. Foreplay/Long Time was sent to me by Tom a couple of months ago and that has started this madness of obsessing over Brad Delp’s vocal chords (I bet you didn’t think he looked like this). Talking with Rich over the weekend, who’s college photos from the late 70’s actually resemble The Delp, he had said that the first 3 songs on Boston were all radio hits. I just cannot imagine Fore Play/Long Time being a radio hit. If true, this information could be used as an example during a campaign to Make Radio Great Again. That is a good wish for a genie: For my first wish, I would like to time travel back to1977, specifically to listen to one week of music on Rich’s radio. That’s what I want.
I used to think Boston was just another run of the mill band that played music anyone could play. WRONG. But if you take the time and actually pay attention, respect the voice and the guitar work, this is an epic band. I just started listening to their 2nd album and I like it so far. I am interested in your opinion, mainly because I need validation that Boston should not be solely remembered for More Than a Feeling.
Adam’s Reaction:
Yes! Boston came right out of the gates, starting off their debut album with 2-3 timeless songs that still rock as hard as they did when they first aired on the radio in 1976. More Than a Feeling into Peace of Mind may be too much to handle, though I am not surprised that they started with these two songs. #BostonFlex I have tried listening to the 1:50 mark in Peace of Mind over and over again, but it just doesn’t fill my pants the same way it does yours. I think mainly because I am fully expecting it to deliver, rather than just catching me in the moment. The album definitely “falls off,” but will continue to be revisited in the warmer months (INSERT Ollie Williams yelling “it’s cold!“).
The Favorites:
Adam: Peace of Mind
Dave: Peace of Mind