Thursday, October 30, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Bad Company, by Bad Company


In 1973, out of the ashes of multiple fairly well known bands at the time came one of the most heralded names in the classic rock genre: Bad Company. Singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke of the band Free, guitarist Mick Ralphs of the band Mott the Hoople, and bassist Boz Burrell of the band King Crimson came together to make a whole new band. What would seem to be a super group ended up becoming so much more over the next decade with the original line-up of the band.

Bad Company released its 1974 self titled debut album Bad Company to a vast amount of commercial success internationally. It featured radio hits that are still played to this day such as Bad Company and Can't Get Enough. Bad Company did end up going number one in the charts in North America. The sound of the over-all album has some pop elements to it, but is still very much straight bluesy rock n' roll. Both casual and hardcore listeners of the band and genre can put the album in and have one hell of a good time.

The track Bad Company is a very emotional song both lyrically and emotionally. The soft piano and vocal intro does a vast amount to build up the suspense for when the rest of the band kicks in with the chorus. The only thing I would complain about is that I think the mix should have turned up the volume of the chorus a bit to give it a bit more of an impact. Rodgers is soulfully singing his heart out telling this heart wrenching tale (of the movie of the same name that the song is based off of) and the right punch would have gotten the point across a lot better. Be that as it may, it is still a classic and a good way to spend 5 minutes rocking out.

Movin' On is one of my personal favorites from the Bad Company album. Though not as well known as the previously mentioned track, a smile always appears upon my face whenever I hear the opening chords ring out with the almost freight train like rhythm of the drum sticks on the high hat fill up the background. Movin' On is a pretty basically structured upper mid-tempo blues rocker of a tune, but the timbre of the guitar (especially in the solo) is so pleasing to the ear that I always get into the groove and start to dance along a little bit. This is one of those times where simplicity is done in the best way it can possibly be done.

Bad Company is another must have for those who collect classic rock albums. It had a huge impact during the time it came out and many of the songs on it are still covered by many bands today. Heavy metal/heavy rock band Five Finger Death Punch released a cover of the title track a few years back. It isn't anywhere near as good as the original as far as I'm concerned, but I will admit that what it does try to do it does pretty well. Bad Company has everything: bluesy soulful vocals, punching guitar, well thought out melodies, and an overall groove that will stick with you for a long time to come.

Bad Company, by Bad Company receives 4 out of 5 stars.

Track List:

1. Can't Get Enough
2. Rock Steady
3. Are You Ready For Love
4. Don't Let Me Down
5. Bad Company
6. The Way I Choose
7. Movin' On
8. Seagull

Buy the album on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Company/dp/B002DNIG7G/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1414728181&sr=8-2&keywords=Bad+Company

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