Mlle ALBUM REPORT June 18, 1982 BILL HARD, Editor

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THE FRIDAY MIMING QUARTERBACK' A PROGRAMMING GUIDE EXECUTIVE MEWS • 1930 EAST MARLTON PIKE, F36 • CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY 08003 • (609) 424-9114 Mlle ALBUM REPORT June 18, 1982 BILL HARD, Editor

Hard Choices TAXXI; "STATES OF EMERGENCY", FANTASY After KGB-FM's Judy McNutt busted me last week for "missing" Taxxi, we went back for a second listen and found an intensely involving record. Along with the standard songwriting and performance requirements, Taxxi scores big with some of the most interesting arrangements we've heard in months-- unusual rhythms, texture, and instrumentat'on. You might not get the message on first bounce, but roll Side 1 a few times and it will pull you in...We recommend "Cocktail Queen", "I'm Leaving", "Girl (NYC)", and for the singre7 1-The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter"--a little masterpiece.

TED NUGENT, "NUGENT', ATLANTIC All Ted really needed to put him back on tie track was a killer tune, and "Bound And Gagged" is the goods, thank you. Patriotism, harmonies, Axe overload, even a semi-rap at the end--whoa! Fans will love Derek St. Holmes being back in the bald, and if Carmine Appice ain't the man for the job, who -is? Fire it up!! Also hot "No, No, No."

BALANCE I "SLOW MOTION" b/w "UNDERCOVER MAN", PORTRAIT Our pick on last year's debut stands out as one of the premier sleeper Choices, as "Breaking Away" kept the Lp on the Index for months. Now we're certain the just-released 12" will have the same impact. Peppy, Doug and Bob are consumate musicians and savvy radio observers, and they've wisely injected the melodic qualities of that first album with a mega-dose of raw guitar and shimmering keyboard electronics. An unqualified endcrsement from us. Easy Choices APRIL WINE, "POWER PLAY", CAPITOL You've got to love the guys because they gp for the throat. Four guitars lined up, and drums to push 'em along. We're talking lean, high wattage rock and roll with hooks to crush the 18-24's without putting off the upper demos. "Enough Is Enough" is sitting pretty, 16-8 on the Song Index, with "If You See Kay" ready to take on all comers. For hot phones of the week honors, also consider "Anything You Want", "Doin' It Right" and "Runners In The Night".

REO SPEEDWAGON, "GOOD TROUBLE", EPIC In our never ending challenge of thinking up new things to say about the onslaught of automatiL., here's this week's word for the wise. This band could be a bit overexposed, especially if you've been banging the single to death. So I humbly suggest you put a hold on all other REO product for a week or two, and concentrate solely on tus nifty new record. We like "Stillness Of The Night" and "Good Trouble" best, but there's plenty more to choose from. Pinch Hit X, "UNDER THE BLACK SUN", ELEKTRA By the standard format criteria, X is off the scale. What can you compare it to?? It's almost like metal with a new wave vocal twist. If I analyze it critically, the musical components really don't hold up, but when you relax and experience it, there is a definite energy and excitement that comes off the vinyl and will work on :he radio. X seems to have the ability to conjur up images of psychedelic classics while sound -ng all the while street contemporary, and we like that unusual combination..... Go for "Under The Big Black Sun" and ' 'The Hungry Wolf". Chain Reaction PETE TOWNSHEND, "ALL THE BEST COWBOYS HAVE CHINESE EYES", ATCO Intelligence, taste, and honesty were the bywords on Pete's new solo this week. It's also noteworthy that such a personal album should yield so many strong radio tracks in contrast to the prevalent 1-track approach...Tracks: "Face Dances Part 2", 'Slit Skirts", Stardom In Acton' and "Exquisitely Bored"... Comments: Kid Leo, WMMS: "The Townshend Ll is a very, very personal album. I was somewhat taken back by the amount -67—t711i-songs, however, it is a very, very strong statement. And as Mr. Hard says, he is one of the few who can get away with being himself"...Marc Miller, WBCN: "With the possible exception of John Lennon, Pete is the only rock artist I know who can write such incredibly personal songs and not sound self-indulgent. This is a listening record and all the cuts are recommended". ..Warren Williams KATT: "I'm impressed that Pete Townshend can take experience in life and translate it so eloquently to vinyl"...Lin Brehmer, WQBK, "Staff members have covered the album with adjectives like 'personal', 'honest', 'sincere'. Lately Pete's solo material seems to be eclipsing the Who releases. It's great that after all these years Pete doesn't see any need to put out FM oatmeal"...Jeff Kauffman, WTPA, "Some people publish autobiographies. Pete Townshend sings his on 'All The Best Cowboys'. It's kind of a mid-life crisis on vinyl, with a great collection of songs that fall somewhere between those on 'Who Came First' and those on 'Empty Glass'"...Steve Feinstein, WYSP, "The album is magnificent. It's a joy to hear intelligent rock that deals successfully with adult themes. The music overflows with sublime understated touches.".. .#1 Most Added with 188 stations.