Search - Loverboy :: Big Ones

Not bad collection of Canadian hard rockers

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 03/09/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Canadian rock during the 80's: there's Bryan Adams, Rush, Glass Tiger, and the Toronto-founded Loverboy. When it comes down a definitive single by them "Turn Me Loose" is definitely a candidate, with its pulsing bass, chugging guitar, and the hunger apparent in Mike Reno's voice when he says "I gotta do it my way or no way at all" which more or less sums up the fierce mindset of the protagonist.The other is the hard-hitting guitar and synth workout of the anthemic "Working For The Weekend" from Get Lucky, of which this is the best single from one of their best albums. Three other songs from this album are the hard rock hoochie-coo of "Lucky Ones," the pounding "When It's Over" and the not-too impressive "Take Me To The Top."Of the songs that I heard when I became aware of them, the first one, "Lovin' Every Minute Of It" and its pounding tribal rhythms, synths and chanting, sported some backing vocals that make it sound more like Def Leppard. Yes, the song was written by a certain Robert "Mutt" Lange, although it lacks the lustre of his later works, it does have his signature. The other single from the Lovin' Every Minute Of It album, the synth ballad "This Could Be The Night," was clearly trying to capitalize on Reno's duet with Heart's Ann Wilson on "Almost Paradise" (not on this compilation) and made the group sound more like Foreigner. Still a memorable ballad. And as if that weren't enough, they repeated the formula on their contribution to Top Gun, "Heaven In Your Eyes," which is the best of the hard rock ballads, what with the hard-hitting power vocals and guitars in the chorus."Notorious" from their last studio album, was quite a kicker, produced as it was by Bruce Fairbairn and co-written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. Their last stab at greatness was enhanced by a video featuring a bevy of beauties representing girls who were "every mother's nightmare, every schoolboy's dream." Although I find the belted wish of "I want to be your slave" a bit demeaning.The Bob Rock-produced "For You" and "Ain't Looking For love" are harder-edged numbers with more emphasis on guitar and power vocals in the chorus. Ditto for "The Kid Is Hot Tonite," from their first album, is what the early Cars would sound like if they had the hard-driving guitars in the chorus. The keyboards could easily fit on a Cars album. Mike Reno's intense vocals and Paul Dean's hard guitars encapsulated the power formula of Loverboy, and what made it work. After that, it was a matter of whether the song itself was good.The exclusion of "Dangerous" from Lovin' Every Minute Of It or "Almost Paradise" might make this incomplete to some. Still, a worthy compilation of a band that in a timely manner broke up right at the end of the 80's, leaving behind one brand of 80's hard rock."

This will take you back to the 80s

Scott Niemeyer | Maryland Heights, MO USA | 03/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was in high school when Loverboy was popular. I bought all of the albums and liked most of their songs. This CD definitely has all of the highlights from all of their albums. It even has a couple of the popular songs that weren't on the albums, but on movie soundtracks.Every song on here is good. I had forgotten about some of these songs; Loverboy doesn't get much airplay anymore. But when I listened to it the first time, it took me back 15 years. A few of the songs might sound a little dated, but I forgot how GOOD some of these songs were. I used to know all of the lyrics to these songs, and it was amazing, after such a long time, how they came flooding back.One disappointment with this CD is the omission of "Strike Zone", but that can be found on the "Keep It Up" CD. Otherwise, this is a great buy!"

Good overview of one of Canada's biggest exports

New World Smurf | Richmond, Virginia | 06/08/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Mention the name Loverboy to anyone who grew up in the eighties, and they'll say either "Working For The Weekend" or "that guy in the headband." Loverboy was a competent power pop quintet, and that shows in this collection of their biggest hits. Yeah, "Working For The Weekend" is here, along with "Turn Me Loose", which twenty years after its release still sounds excellent. Basically, all their singles are here, with the glaring exception of "Queen of The Broken Hearts," which actually was a bigger hit than many of the songs included (it can be found on the "Keep It Up" and "Super Hits" CD's) and arguably their best known video. If that had been included, my rating would be better. Still, a decent collection for the casual fan."