Search - Various Artists :: Rock on 1977

1977 Floats On

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 08/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rock On's 1977 collection gets off on a shaky with the bad country pop of Glen Campbell's stupid "Southern Nights". The Little River Band picks things up with their smooth Aussie rocker "Help Is On Its Way". The album slides back down into a pit on KC & The Sunshine Band's putrid "I'm Your Boogie Man" and Crystal Gayle's cloying "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". The Floaters revive the album with their silky smooth "Float On" which contains the great intros of the band members introducing themselves and giving their zodiac signs. Maureen MacGregor's "Torn Between Two Lovers" is passable and The Sanford/Townshend Band's "Smoke From A Distant Fire" is a great lost song that captures the SoCal soft rock sound at its best. Al Stewart's "Year Of The Cat" is a hypnotic winner, but actor David Soul's "Don't Give Up On Us" is pure schmaltz. Bob Welch remakes his Fleetwood Mac song "Sentimental Lady" with the Mac members who replaced him, Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. In either version, it is a gorgeous song and a well deserved top ten hit. Jennifer Warnes' "Right Time Of The Night" is solid and Rose Royce closes out the album with their fine "I Wanna Get Next To You"."