Foreigner - Foreigner Anthology: Jukebox Heroes (2000)

From the late '70s to the late '80s, Foreigner put together a string of commercial hit singles and albums, and they're all here on this Rhino Records compilation. Such platinum hits as "Double Vision," "Cold as Ice," "Feels like the First Time," and the one and only "Hot Blooded" are but 4 of the 39 songs featured on this anthology. In addition, several Spooky Tooth (Mick Jones and Gary Wright) songs are included, as well as some solo material from Lou Gramm.

Hardworking, journeyman British guitarist Mick Jones and American vocalist Lou Gramm hit upon a formula for success and proceeded to churn out hit after hit. The precedent for the group's sound had been set previously by such British blues/rock bands as Led Zeppelin and Free. Simple, riff-oriented melodies sung with gruff sincerity and swagger (suggestive of the great American black soul singers), matched up with a sledgehammer rock beat and short, to-the-point, electric guitar solos, were just what teens from that period wanted to hear. Fellow British cohorts Bad Company also were mining the same vein (although with less success): sexy love songs sung with some grit, merging British pop sensibilities with a hint of black sensuality. Of course, the plodding predictability of these songs became their downfall, too, as Foreigner were one of several hit machines from that period tagged as "corporate rock," which helped foster the punk and New Wave "revolutions."

Although it's easy in hindsight to deride groups like Foreigner, it's crucial to judge them on their own terms. Mick Jones just wanted "to fuse an attention to melody with some hefty rock stuff, hoping it would stand up next to a Zeppelin or Traffic or a Free record and hold its own. That's the standard I have to reach." From that standpoint, they succeeded and more, as their lifelong fans undoubtedly would agree. --Wally Shoup