Category: AOR Artist: Billy Squier Album: Signs Of Life Year: 1984 Label: Capitol Records Quality: eac-ape Reliser: unknown
Quote
Squier adds a little bit of keyboard color to his otherwise
guitar-driven repertoire on 1984's Signs of Life, his fourth album that
comes on the heels of his solid Emotions In Motion release two years
prior. His highest charting single, "Rock Me Tonite," is a pulsating
array of Squier's pent up energy amidst the cliched candor of bright
synth and electric guitar. Although it's well worth its number 15 chart
setting thanks to its explosive chorus, the remaining offerings from
the artist quickly lose themselves in 1980's pomposity, which could be
felt when the album was fresh, and is even more obvious today. His
usual thrusts of guitar energy are overlapped with an onslaught of
unnecessary production and overly-resilient synthesized rhythms. Songs
like "Another 1984" and "Eye on You" try hard to carry out their
science fiction motifs, but lose themselves in an overabundance of
keyboard wash. "All Night Long" does exemplify Squier's trademarked
vivaciousness, reminiscent of his work from his last album or 1981's
Don't Say No, but this is where his enthusiasm runs out. What lacks on
Signs of Life is the over-the-top approach that Squier usually adds to
his music, made up of jump-start riffs and hollow but appeasing guitar
loudness. Except for "Rock Me Tonite," this album fails to represent
Squier as the bonafide rocker he really is.
Tracks 1. All Night Long 2. Rock Me Tonite 3. Eye On You 4. Take A Look Behind Ya 5. Reach For The Sky 6. (Another) 1984 7. Fall For Love 8. Can't Get Next To You 9. Hand-Me-Downs 10. Sweet Release