NIce...I was expecting some flaming...actually song for song..."U cant tune a piano..." is the best REO LP...includes Rollin with the changes...and Time for me 2 fly...and the great jam TUrkey trot...in all seriousness...comparing Journey,Styxx,Kansas,etc is like splitting hairs...they all had their moments and contributed heavily to the birth of stadium and mulit-platinum late 70s/early 80s FM AOR rock...the main weakness above anything else is the lack of quality lyrics...for the most part the playing and songwriting is there...albeit in a somewhat cheesy fashion...but that is the fun of rediscovering old LPS...its like going into a time machine!
Returning to REO's "Hi-Infidelity".....
Few records in American rock history have sold as many copies as this LP and then consequently written off...which is a shame...for what it was...mainstream American arena rock...its a surprisingly strong LP...the opening track "Dont let him go" showcases some aggressive Chuck Berry inspired guitar work...and the guitar work for the majority of the record is quite good...there are some hiccups...side 2 is by far the weaker of the 2...and the production...although very good...borders on the clinical at times...ok...let the REO jabs fly!