The 77s
The 77s
Island
1987
Christian iconic troubadour Mike Roe's flagship band, The 77s, started life as a new wave band, that gradually progressed to alternative rock. They were introduced to me by a friend from high school and college back in the early 90s, and like most bands and artists I enjoy that don't fall under the METAL catch-all category, they had to grow on me over time.
What I enjoy about The 77s music is both the musicianship and the lyrical prose. While the tag "alternative" doesn't do the band justice, it's a good starting reference to the music. On this, the self-titled album, there is a bit of the old new wave flavor in one or two songs (especially on "Don't Say Goodbye"), but this album is more about the acoustic-driven songs with more than just a bit of blues roots showing. This album contains much of their classic live staples, and I would wager that nearly all of the songs contained are fan favorites: album opener "Do It For Love", "Can't Get Over It", "What Was In That Letter", "Pearls Before Swine", the college radio hit "The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life", and my personal favorite, the moody "I Could Laugh". Lyrically, I'm drawn to the way that the songs are very introspective and personal without getting bitter. "Can't Get Over It" and "I Could Laugh" are perfect examples.
For those who got into alternative music in the 90s and beyond, and would like a taste of what came before, or if you're just into great musicianship with well-written lyrics, this album comes highly recommended...
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