It is difficult to reminisce about the music one grew up with when the number one song from the year one graduated from high school was "Down Under" by Men at Work (winner of the career-killing Best New Artist award at the Grammys for that year). I am always grateful for the fact that I preferred music others did not, because it has stayed with me; "Africa" by Toto has not aged as well.
The 1970's have fared even less well than the 1980's in the hearts and minds of music critics, even those who look back. A number of bands, many spectacularly popular at the time but now long-forgotten, are still plying their wares. Others were especial targets of critics wrath; Styx is one I often think of in this context. One album of theirs was compared to a "parking lot of whale vomit". Of course, this same critic paid them a great compliment by saying that no one lliked them, but their fans, who were buying albums by the millions and selling out concerts.
One band from the 1970's often lumped with Styx, but far different, is Kansas. I first discovered them in 1980. My older sister was off to Cameroon in the Peace Corps, and left behind a fantastic record collection. Among the many gems was the complete collection (available up to that time) of albums by Kansas. I sat and listened and have been a committed fan ever since. Even in the dark days of the late-'80s and early-'90s, I still listened, even though I would never argue with anyone that the loss of Kerry Livgren was one the band never recovered from. If you thought "Dust in the Wind" was a good song, listen to "Cheyenne Anthem". If "Point of Know Return" or "Carry On My Wayward Son" were rocking enough, "Miracles Out of Nowhere" and "Lightning's Hand" will blow you away. A great collection, beyond their double Ultimate collection, is the CD/DVD Device, Voice, Drum.
Virtual Tin Cup
