Tweet

Album Details

• Artist: Foreigner
• Album: Alive And Rockin
• Label: Eagle Records
• Year of Release: 2012
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: gwhill on 2012-12-20

Foreigner got into some seriously generic and one might say “wimpy” music at some points in their career. It lost them some respect in the minds of many rock fans. That’s a shame because they really have created some great hit songs with a real rocking edge over the years. While Mick Jones is the only original member of the band still in the group, Kelly Hanson’s performance as singer is probably the biggest departure. The thing is, at times it’s hard to believe there has been a change, his vocals sound so close. With only one exception, though, I’d have to say that I prefer Hansen’s vocals over Lou Gramm’s. I know, that might be blasphemous, but it’s the truth. It’s also the truth that no matter how you feel about this lineup, these guys rock and this set is packed with Foreigner hits.

They waste no time showing that Foreigner is a rock band when they kick into the opening volley three-fer of  “Double Vision,” “Head Games” and “Dirty White Boy.” Those three seem to rock even harder than the studio renditions. The intensity drops back for “Cold As Ice” and “Starrider.” The multiple layers of vocals on “Cold As Ice” sell it and the keyboard heavy, prog-rock like arrangement on “Starrider” is what makes it work extremely well. Hits like “Feels Like the First Time” and “Hot Blooded” also get the hard rock treatment upping the ante. “Urgent” benefits from an extended instrumental section with killer saxophone solo. Perhaps the runaway winner on this album is the unusual “Juke Box Hero / Whole Lotta Love” combination. Not only do they add an extended intro to the end of “Juke Box Hero,” but the take it out into a smoking rendition of the Led Zeppelin classic.

All in all, this killer live album is well worth having, for Foreigner fans or fans of hard edged classic rock in general. It’s one of the best live albums of the year and is sure to entertain just about anyone who likes their rock hard and classy.

User Reviews and Comments

Log In or Register to Rate Albums