Original recording remastered
Reviews (35)
Don't count Billy Joel as being "done" yet....
As Billy Joel's career entered the mid 1980s, much of the momentum he had built in the late 1970s had slowed down.In the late 1970s and 1980s, one could almost count on the release of a Billy Joel album every 12 to 24 months. As Billy began to settle down in his family life with Christie Brinkley, things began to slow down - this was evident after 1983's "An Innocent Man" as Billy would now go on what seemed to be a 36 month cycle for releasing albums.With the slowdown in momentum, many people began to wonder if Billy's best days were behind him. However with the release of his 12th album, "Storm Front" - Billy would prove them wrong. Not only did this album contain some new songs that would join Billy's long list of hits, but it would also produce some more hidden gems.
I look at Billy Joel's career as having three phases.The first phase is what I call "Old Billy Joel".This basically includes all of his material from "Cold Spring Harbor" through "Turnstiles". These are perhaps the strongest days as the piano sound, but they also contain most of Joel's least heard material. The next phase is what I call "Middle Billy Joel".This was his most successful period and covers from "The Stranger" to "Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume 1 and 2".Joel would go through a transition during this phase - expanding his musical horizons and exploring different avenues.The final phase is the "Later Billy Joel" phase - this covers "The Bridge" to "River of Dreams".In this phase, Billy would start to incorporate some of his older styles of music while not abandoning his desire to continue to explore new avenues.For the most part, on "Storm Front" Billy continues to move forward exploring new avenues - with just touches of reaching back to the past. I think much of this is due to the fact that Billy brings in a new producer - Foreigner's Mick Jones to take over producing duties from long-time producer Phil Ramone. Mick's influence seems give this album more of a Rock edge - probably the strongest Rock edge since "Glass Houses". The nice thing about this is that Mick Jones seems to be able to bring out the best in Billy.
I think there are two themes on this album.1) Billy draws from historical sources - whether its past or present, he uses this as an inspiration for his music.This is very evident on "We Didn't Start the Fire", but also evident on other tracks;2) Billy writes some more songs on his personal life - something he has been doing since "An Innocent Man".
"That's Not Her Style":This song has a Rock edge, but on this track we get a bluesy sound from some harmonica.Reading these lyrics carefully - could "her" be none other than Billy's then supermodel wife Christie Brinkley.
"We Didn't Start the Fire":What an original song - a new Billy classic.I still never get tired of this song. This is basically a 20th century history lesson in one song.One of the biggest highway robberies would occur at the Grammys the following year when this song was robbed of Record of the Year by Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings".My words on that choice - 'You have got to be kidding me'.You aren't going to hear any piano in this song, but it isn't needed.It proves how versatile Billy still can be.This song also is highlighted by it's Rock edge and percussion work.
"The Downeaster Alexa": Alexa is Billy's daughter.He basically chose to write a song about the plight of the Long Island Fishermen.Billy incorporates the use of the Fiddle giving this song a powerful melody.
"I Go to Extremes": Possibly a song that describes Billy himself. This is another song with a great Rock edge, but there is some terrific piano by Billy in this one.
"Shameless":I found this one of the weaker tracks.Billy incorporates a Harpsichord in this one, but again this has a Rock edge.
"Storm Front": This song has another bluesy feel - complete with horns.I felt this was probably the weakest track and surprised it got to be the title track.Richard Marx does background vocals and Jones plays guitar.
"Leningrad": This song has some historic overtones, but it also is based on Billy's personal experience in Leningrad when he toured the Soviet Union.Billy uses someone called "Viktor" as a representative resident of Leningrad. Nice "Eastern European style" piano work by Billy Joel reminds us of his old days.Billy goes in a new direction with some light background vocals by a High School chorus.
"State of Grace":This is another song where Billy sings about his relationship with Christie. There is a slight retro-element to this song.Billy shows some great vocal range on this track.Nice background vocals featuring Mick Jones
"When in Rome": This is a very underrated song.Billy sings about the pressures of a dual-career couple and no doubt he is referring to Christie again. This song has a retro element that is evident in the "Tell her About It" styled background vocals.There is also some outstanding sax and horn work.
"And So it Goes": Billy seems to always pick an interesting "last" song for his albums. This song for the most part is Billy and his keyboard.It shows that Billy hasn't abandoned his roots.A slow song - this one is a bit hard to get into, but not bad.
The liner notes do contain all of the lyrics as well as musician and production credits. Perhaps the only knock on "Storm Front" is that there are some weak tracks, but I still think the strong tracks are enough to make this album worthwhile. This is a Billy Joel album I'd still highly recommend.
A gem
I had this in my collection for a few months before I actually sat down and listened to it. While I realise it is commericially minded mainstream pop music, it's still darn good. My favourite song is 'State of Grace', easily. I think now, even after my first listen that song just blew me away. 'I go to extremes' was close to doing so. I'd say my firm favourite of Joel's is 'The Longest Time' but 'State of Grace' is my new no.2. And then there are musician-ship minded ballads like 'Leningrad' [a GREAT song about Russia] and the folk song 'Downeaster Alexa' and of-course a typical Joel Ballad in 'And so it goes'. Then there are songs that, while being pop songs, are very close to being R&B, they are 'Shameless' and 'That's not her style'. 'Shameless' is frustrating because Billy's playing a harpsichord on it but it's drowned out by the other instruments and I can't hear it. The title track had hints of jazz, gospel and R&B and it also a very good song. Do as the Roman's do is my least favourite track but it's fun to listen to. OH and don't foget the big hit, 'We didn't start the fire'
Underrated Billy Joel Album from 1989
If "Storm Front" was released on vinyl, side "A" would have been top notch Joel. Side "B" would have been just the opposite. The remastered version sounds wonderful - like the band is sitting in the next room and you're lucky enough to be listening thru a forgotten set of headphones that's tapped into their jam session. The sound is crisp - the guitars tight and the drums rich. This Joel album was placed nicely between his "Bridge" and "River Of Dreams". "Storm Front" is probably my favorite latter-day Billy Joel release. Even tho half the songs (side "B") are average at best, "Storm Front" does contain three of my recent favorites of his... "We Didn't Start The Fire", "The Downeaster Alexa", and the title track. "Shameless" is a decent track by Joel, but it was utterly ruined and overplayed by Garth Brooks. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is a true history lesson (starting in 1949 and ending in 1989) and the fast pace of the song hooks you in from start to finish. "Alexa" is a lyrically great song with many references to Long Island Sound and the pursuit of the fisherman. I know many reviewers think that "Leningrad" is some kind of a cold war tribute (the lyrics might be OK), but the song is a total downer. Personal kudos to guitar whiz David Brown and drummer Liberty DeVitto... these guys were the true backbone of this album.
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