BILLY SQUIER — The Tale Of The Tape (review)

BILLY SQUIER — The Tale Of The Tape album cover Album · 1980 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
siLLy puPPy
Although BILLY SQUIER was able to tour with KISS with his previous band Piper, their career never managed to take off and he decided to go it alone thus releasing his solo debut album THE TALE OF THE TAPE in 1980. He indeed got a lot more attention on his own as the single “You Should Be High Love” got radio play and although this album didn't break any records in the sales department it still managed to spend a couple months on the Billboard albums chart.

This album pretty much showcases what Billy was famous for namely strong catchy pop rock songs that have an AOR appeal and anthem arena rock possibilities. “The Big Beat” begins as a catchy no nonsense sing-about-nothing track that for some reason caught on as the most sampled song in hip-hop history. The catchy pop rock songs continue throughout the album and all is good until we get to tracks like “Who's Your Boyfriend,” which is a re-recorded track that was actually on a Piper album. This song and the ridiculously bad “The Music's Alright” with a never-ending stream of la-la-la's at the end totally derail the flow and leave this album sagging way down towards the end.

BILLY SQUIER was first and foremost a pop star with a hard rock edge so any comparisons to more talented guitar players and rock groups shouldn't even be considered. This is simple stuff. The lyrics are fairly bland never really delving into anything deeper than what you would expect from an AOR act, however Billy really knew how to make a poetic outcry out of the most mundane every day events. I''ve always found his music to be interesting in the songwriting department and despite some totally lame tracks here and there the ones that begin the album are quite melodic and rally up the urge for a sing-along session.

Best tracks “The Big Beat,” “Calley Oh,” “Like I'm Lovin' You” and “You Should Be High, Love.”
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siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Those are the best three. He steadily goes down hill after that but i really love Hear & Now. The best album after those three. Will get to reviewing all of them since no one is breaking down the doors to beat me to it :)
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
I've actually only heard this album, Don't Say No, and Emotions in Motion. I should listen to more. :P
siLLy puPPy wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Thx :) Don't Say No is his most consistent and most popular but he had many albums that had great tracks without being great albums
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Nice review, I think it's a pretty good album. From what I've heard though, Don't Say No is my favorite.

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