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REO Speedwagon - Trouble Within The Band

Steven Sly | Kalamazoo, MI United States | 02/16/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It took another 3 years before the world had a new REO album, and this one would prove to be the end of the line for the most famous lineup of the band. Guitarist and band founder Gary Richrath was in the grips of serious substance abuse by this time while the rest of the band was turning into health nuts. This album would end up being the last with Richrath who was such an essential part of the REO sound. Drummer Alan Gratzer was also getting tired of the road and would retire soon after the albums release. One of the best songs on this album is a blatant statement Kevin Cronin wrote about Gary Richrath called "One Too Many Girl Friends". Listening to the lyrics I can hardly believe Richrath would even agree to record it as it consists of Cronin basically putting the writing on the wall as far as Richrath's participation in the band was concerned. But......it is a great song and a clear indication that all was not right within the REO camp. This album continued the band's commercial success with the big hits, the rocking "That Ain't Love" and the ballad "In My Dreams" both reaching the top 40. Personally I think it is a very average REO disc. Many of the songs have that glossy 80's keyboard sound to them, that makes a lot of this material sound very dated. With the exception of "Girlfriends" there is nothing that really stands out here. I liked both of the hits ok, and some of the other tracks are decent, but I don't think it is as good as the previous record."