Boston

Boston's first two records are the very definition of AOR, not just because they basically pioneered the sound, but mainly because they are better than almost every single record and band they inspired. This may be among the worst, most overblown music that rock had to offer in the '70s, but it was way better than anything Styx ever recorded.

Despite the exhortation of this LP's title and another in "Feelin' Satisfied" to "take a chance
on rock 'n' roll," Don't Look Back isn't a departure from, but a consolidation of, the sound
introduced on Boston's dazzling debut album. Once again, mastermind Tom Scholz has
marshaled a Mormon Tabernacle Choir of guitars, reworking almost imperceptibly his rich
weave of ringing acoustic tones, piercing electric notes and low-register but hig... More >

Debut pomposities having been excised, a pure exploration of corporate rock remains. Pretty streamlined. Not only are the guitars perfectly received, but the lyrical clichés seem specially selected to make the band as credible in the arena as they are in the studio, and Brad Delp's tenor, too thin for nasty cock-rock distractions, leaves us free to contemplate unsullied form. The only thing that makes me wonder is that sometimes I catch myself enjoying it, which means some corruption is still at work here. True formalists, from Mallarme to bluegrass, leave me absolutely cold. (Grade - B-)