The kids are still hot tonight
Just when you needed another fresh injection of 80s rock, Loverboy is here with a new album.
"Just Getting Started" is the name of the new album -- the band's first is more than 10 years. It will be released Nov. 6 initially in an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart.
I've been listening to the new disc for a couple weeks now, and it's a much-overdue blast of pure Canadian 80s rock. Vocalist Mike Reno's voice sounds fully recharged and he really seems energized by the new material.
The first song the band recorded -- "Stranded" -- is actually the last song on the disc. The song is written as an ode to Scott Smith, the band's former bassist who was lost at sea while sailing in 2000.
The 10 songs still feature the guitar-and-keyboards barrage and working class lyrics that made the band so accessible to fans during their hey-day. Highlights on the disc include the hard-rocking title track and the 9-to-5 anthem "One Of Them Days."
"I love the way it sounds. I love the album cover. I love the fact that we're almost giving it away," vocalist Mike Reno told a Canadian newspaper. "I love the fact that we're giving half-price downloads on most of the download systems. And I'm perfectly aware that more than half of the people in the world will steal it. I'm happy with all of that."
LOVERBOY PLAYS TAMPA BAY: Speaking of Loverboy, the band plays Oktoberfest in St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park on Saturday, Oct. 27. $5 advance at Albertson stores (with proof of purchase), $10 Ticketmaster; $20 at gate. (727) 579-2026
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
I have a friend who's a good friend of Mike Reno's son.......so therefore I know Loverboy pretty well........yeah.
They make us Vancouverites proud. Heck, we're all workin' for the weekend.
Posted by: Al | October 22, 2007 at 08:58 PM
We met some of the band while doing our live podcast last year during their show in Clearwater. Great guys. Every one of them.
Posted by: Spears | October 22, 2007 at 09:15 PM
On the rock n' roll roadmap "exclusively at Wal-Mart" is just down the road from "appearing tonight at the Ramada Inn by the airport." Too bad, because 20+ years down the road, Loverboy tunes still get me out of my seat!
Posted by: Jeff in Cuba | October 22, 2007 at 10:47 PM
Once upon a time, I'd agree with you, Jeff. But it seems more and more bands are cutting these exclusive deals. REO Speedwagon had the same deal with Wal-Mart too. Thomas Dolby did some unusual deal with his CD so that it it's only for sale on CD Baby and not Amazon.
I think when it comes to selling actual discs, bands are having to rewrite the book on how to do business. I guess we can thank iTunes (and all the other not-so-legal downloading services) for that.
Posted by: Spears | October 23, 2007 at 05:42 AM
I've been waiting for this disc for a while now and am glad to see that it is finally getting to see the light of day. While I'd prefer that it be offered beyond the Walmart lot, I'll take it. Now if only Night Ranger's Hole in the Sun would be released in the U.S.
Posted by: 80sfan | October 23, 2007 at 07:40 AM
The Wal-Mart deal might (MIGHT) be for just a short period of time. REO's album was exclusively at Wal-Mart for a few weeks before it was available pretty much anywhere.
Posted by: Spears | October 23, 2007 at 08:09 AM