Billy Squier: Feelings In Movement
Everyone Desires You
Feelings in Movement
Study Tips on how to Reside
In Your Eyes
Maintain Me Happy
It Retains You Rockin’
One Good Lady
She’s a Runner
Catch 22
Hearken to the Heartbeat
Together with his third solo album, Billy Squier couldn’t miss. Buoyed by the success of his four-million-selling breakthrough Don’t Say No, the Massachusetts-born rocker teamed up as soon as once more with Queen producer Reinhold Mack to create 10 tracks of state-of-the-art, radio-friendly pop rock. With a canopy portray by Andy Warhol, Feelings In Movement reached No.5 on the Billboard chart.
The hit single Everyone Desires You echoed the Massive Beat rhythms of his signature hit The Stroke, the title observe was rock/funk within the vein of Queen’s The Recreation – with Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor on backing vocals – and She’s A Runner was Squier’s Beast Of Burden, whereas the crisp songwriting on tracks like Study How To Reside and the chic In Your Eyes packed an actual punch. He’d by no means be this good once more.
Each week, Album of the Week Membership listens to and discusses the album in query, votes on how good it’s, and publishes our findings, with the goal of giving individuals dependable critiques and the broader rock group the possibility to contribute.
Different albums launched in July 1982
- Mirage – Fleetwood Mac
- Photos at Eleven – Robert Plant
- Imperial Bed room – Elvis Costello and the Sights
- The Envoy – Warren Zevon
- Trip – The Go-Go’s
- The Sudden Visitor – Demon
- Billy Idol – Billy Idol
- Screaming For Vengeance – Judas Priest
- Coney Hatch – Coney Hatch
- Freeway Music Reside – Blackfoot
- Juggernaut – Frank Marino
- Revelations – Killing Joke
- Beneath the Massive Black Solar – X
What they stated…
“On this slice of AOR heaven, Squier expands on the Led Zeppelin-influenced exploits of Do not Say No. Proper off the bat, Squier delivers a right away blow to the pinnacle on the album’s opening triumvirate Everyone Desires You, Feelings in Movement (a distant cousin of Queen’s Get Down Make Love little doubt), and the moody Study Tips on how to Reside.” (AllMusic)
“Very like Squier‘s information earlier than and after, Feelings In Movement is far more of only a good rock and roll album than any type of out of this world, unique, groundbreaking masterpiece and on the finish of the day, that’s cool. A few of the greatest information ever have been ones constructed on the energy of excellent catchy tunes whereas historical past has proven that probably the most technical of musical releases are likely to fall in need of business success.” (Sleaze Roxx)
“Prefer it’s predecessor, Feelings in Movement was co-produced by Squier and Reinhold Mack and it reached the Prime 5 of the pop albums charts whereas ultimately gaining multi-platinum ranges in gross sales. The sonic qualities of manufacturing are likely to tilt in direction of the high-end of the EQ spectrum with the percussion being somewhat over-produced. Nonetheless, the album’s actual saving grace is the compositions, all written solely by Squier, and powerful sufficient to keep away from sounding dated.” (Classic Rock Review)
What you stated…
Christopher Myles: Sensible album.
Clayton Rauser: Nice album.
Pete Delgado: Fairly good album.
Dan Holmes: Simply terrible.
Greg Schwepe: For me, Billy Squier’s Feelings In Movement was a extremely anticipated comply with as much as 1981’s Don’t Say No. That album was an ideal instance of “For those who play it, they may purchase it.” After listening to a number of tracks from that on the radio, I purchased Don’t Say No and performed the crap out it. A type of albums that really left me ready for the artist’s subsequent launch. Then I stumbled onto a replica of Story Of The Tape within the report library at our school radio station, that is the album the FM station at dwelling didn’t play. So, armed with a Maxell UDXL-II C-90 cassette and the keys to our Manufacturing Studio the place we had a cassette deck and turntables, I now had a “free” copy of this “new to me”, however previous debut album. Now I simply needed to look ahead to a brand new launch from Squier. And I didn’t have to attend that lengthy, as a result of again then there was no 5 12 months time lapse (or extra!) between releases by artists.
Proper on cue upon launch, tracks from Feelings In Movement have been performed on FM rock radio and I used to be quickly the proprietor of this launch. Listening once more immediately with a extra crucial ear, I believe I lastly found out the attraction of Squier’s music. It’s The Riff. The Hook. The Fill. The Flourish. The Embellishment. I discussed throughout final week’s overview that the choice for that week went in a single ear and out the opposite. Nothing caught with me. With Feelings In Movement, it’s fairly the alternative; every observe had somewhat piece of ear sweet that caught with me as the subsequent observe performed. Simply strive not to recollect one thing from this album.
Everyone Desires You leads off and throughout the first 20 seconds you could have a repeating guitar, some synthesizer prospers, finger snaps, and a reasonably hefty backbeat to suck you in. And what in all probability sticks with me most? Effectively, in all probability that sluggish G be aware (guessing!) string bend that seems right here and there all through the music; “bowwww” (with “Guitar Face” for emphasis). You realize the one I’m speaking about!
Subsequent comes Feelings In Movement with one of many slinkiest bass strains I’ve ever heard, adopted by a plethora of guitar riffs. And we actually have a little sax flourish of their too. Hook me up.
Stripped down to only guitar, bass, and drums, Squier’s music has loads of energy to maintain the listener tied down. However then he he provides all these different flavours; synth line, sax, handled drums, tons of quick guitar riffs; and you’ve got an album that sticks with you.
It Retains You Rockin’ does simply that. Not numerous additional stuff on that one apart from the cymbal-filled drumming and memorable guitar riff.
She’s A Runner might be my favorite music with the lone guitar intro together with Squier’s barely raspy voice. The keyboards seem within the background and the music builds from there. As soon as once more, loads of hooks to maintain you caught in place. Then about 2:50 into the music you could have a short memorable guitar solo with an excellent tone.
General, a worthy comply with as much as Don’t Say No even whether it is barely extra polished and never as raucous. However not by a lot. Full of loads of hooky memorable songs. 8 out of 10 for me on this one, however I’d give the nod to Don’t Say No as the marginally general higher album.
Brian Carr: Don’t Say No is an absolute basic, however I’m going manner again with the comply with up Feelings In Movement simply as lengthy. I don’t detect any drop in music high quality between the 2 information: the funky groove and bass line on the title observe; Study Tips on how to Reside is a beautiful tune with a superb hook and good guitar solo; I sang In Your Eyes and She’s A Runner sufficient again within the day that I nonetheless bear in mind all the lyrics. Actually, I’m not completely positive why I give up following together with Squier’s profession contemplating how a lot I’ve at all times appreciated the dynamic duo of albums.
Chris Middleton: I really like this album and all the pieces Billy did! Lots of nice songs on this one!
Dale Munday: What’s that dreadful drum sound about?!?
Rob Binter: The songs have been weak. He simply hit the candy spot on Do not Say No. I used to be actually disenchanted on this album. And keep away from the video ideas. Simply movie the band taking part in dwell! What might have been.
Mike Canoe: Like different membership members, I received Feelings In Movement on the energy of Billy Squier’s earlier album, Do not Say No. Like different membership members, I performed it a few instances and moved on. Listening to it this week, my opinion hasn’t modified a lot. I now understand it has as many or extra recycled Led Zeppelin riffs, tips and tics as Kingdom Come or ’80’s Whitesnake with a fair stronger whiff of cheese, particularly the blat blat blat keyboards that have been so dominant within the ’80s. Squier’s voice can also be screechier than I bear in mind however which will simply be not sufficient espresso on a Monday morning. Closing observe Pay attention To The Heartbeat might be probably the most palatable after just a few listens however that may be as a result of I hear Zepp’s Dancing Days riff in there.
George Pyrtle: It undoubtedly wasn’t nearly as good as Do not Say No, however I would not name it unhealthy. It is a 6-6.5/10. For those who’ve by no means listened to his Blissful Blue album, give it a spin. There’s good things to be heard on that.
John Davidson: Interminably uninteresting, over-produced pop rock. There are hints at Aerosmith and even Robert Plant buried within the horrible 80s manufacturing however they don’t seem to be given sufficient room to make a distinction.
In Your Eyes might have been a Rod Stewart quantity, nevertheless it plods when it ought to soar.
A complete album of the sort of songs you used to get on a (now unwatchably tacky) brat-pack film will not be for me, which is gloomy as a result of he has an honest voice.
Retains Me Rockin’ is one of the best of a reasonably unhealthy bunch – the truth that such a trite and mediocre music stands out tells you all you should know. As dated because the yuppie tradition that it embraced. 3/10.
Evan Sanders: My opinion of Billy Squier will at all times be biased from rising up one metropolis over from his hometown of Wellesley, MA. I bear in mind him being hailed in the identical class of native favorites Aerosmith, Boston, or the Vehicles when his first album got here out. The second album, Feelings In Movement, was very fashionable domestically as nicely. Alas, even I’ve to confess this one does not maintain up nicely years later. It does have a number of radio-friendly songs like title music, the opener Everyone Desires You, Study How To Reside, and She’s A Runner.
However too lots of the different songs sound generic now somewhat than treasured deep cuts. A few of the feedback right here identified how he was straddling arduous rock and radio pleasant rock on this album, and I believe that does ring true. Not like a band like Aerosmith that transitioned over time to being extra radio-friendly, Squier appears extra like he does not know methods to replace his unique sound to develop his viewers. I will have to provide it a 6/10, recognizing the a number of catchy songs, however taking a step again from his earlier breakout album.
Gary Claydon: The primary order of enterprise the place Billy Squier was involved was, how do you pronounce his surname? ‘Cos that ‘e’ is, like, within the fallacious place, innit, squire? So, does it rhyme with ‘choir’ or ‘beer’? As soon as that was squared away, what in regards to the man’s music? His first album, Story of The Tape, spawned The Massive Beat, which was not solely the blue print for his breakout album Do not Say No however had a easy 4/4 drum beat, sans cymbals and hello hats, which might, unexpectedly, go on to turn out to be one of the crucial sampled drum tracks in hip-hop historical past.
I purchased Do not Say No on the energy of some enthusiastic critiques within the extra rock-orientated UK music press. It is a good album, with a tough sufficient edge to maintain it from being mainstream fodder, even when tracks akin to The Stroke did begin to grate a bit after some time. Factor is, although, I by no means thought it a ‘basic’ and I am unsure it is aged in addition to it might have executed. Nonetheless respectable sufficient although.
Talking of issues that have not aged nicely, Feelings In Movement was (is) an actual disappointment. It picks up the place Do not Say No left off with Everyone Desires You however that basically is nearly as good because it will get. Over-produced, closely processed, artificial AOR with nothing to pull it above mediocrity. The faux-funk is irritating and the entire thing is attempting manner too arduous to (unsuccessfully) recapture the air of cool that emanated from it is predecessor. I by no means cared a lot for the Andy Warhol album cowl, both. 3/10.
Blackie Stalion: The album was much less guitar-heavy than Do not Say No in each its preparations and its manufacturing. The album lacks the various tempo of its predecessor. Aspect one is strong; Everyone Desires You, title observe, and Maintain Me Happy are the highlights. Past the aptly titled It Retains You Rockin‘, facet two slides right into a considerably forgettable slog, probably leaving Do not Say No followers going from music to music ready to listen to one thing that appears like Whadda Ya Need From Me. Songs like Catch 22 develop on you after the a centesimal pay attention, somewhat than seize you the primary time. General it is a respectable album, with Bobby Chouinard’s Bonham-esque drumming pushed to the forefront. 7/10.
Paulene Ashmore
Prime contributor
Like Keith, I additionally purchased “Don’t Say No” on the again of seeing Billy as assist band (can’t bear in mind for who now 🤪) round 1981 as he blew me away too. I performed it and performed it after which purchased this one when it got here out. Extreme disappointment. It solely received performed just a few instances after which simply gathered mud. I nonetheless have “Don’t Say No” however “Feelings In Movement” has lengthy gone …
Matthew Joseph Hughes: The album cowl and Everyone Desires You are a adequate cause for me to purchase this album for $1 at goodwill and rock out to the primary music after which rapidly lose curiosity. If there have been 2-3 extra nice tracks on this, I may be prepared to heat as much as the others, however I do not suppose there are.
Keith Jenkin: One of the disappointing albums I’ve ever purchased. Squire blew me away once I noticed him at Studying Competition in 1981 and I purchased Do not Say No because of this and cherished it. Sadly I discovered this comply with up so over-produced with all of the raunch of its predecessor fully watered down. It did not matter whether or not the songs have been any good or not, I simply discovered the entire thing unlistenable and on the uncommon events I’ve revisited the album since that has remained my opinion.
Philip Qvist: Okay, everyone knows the story. It is mid 1984 and Billy Squier is selling the only Rock Me Tonite from his fourth album Indicators Of Life; and what we get is a video of the artist prancing round his bed room in a pink shirt – and the remaining is historical past. Even the person himself has stated that this cringeworthy video completed off his profession.
If solely it was so easy.
For positive it’s an terrible video, however give it some thought; what number of unhealthy movies did it take to complete off Journey, or Toto or loads of different artists on the time? How about by no means. Take a look at Iron Maiden’s Flight Of Icarus for an instance of an terrible video – that one did not derail their profession both, as unhealthy as that video was.
The reality is that the music profession of our man Billy was ending as a result of the promise that he had proven on Do not Say No in 1981 had all however vanished in 1984 – one unhealthy video however. And I’ll say that the cracks began exhibiting on Feelings In Movement.
Because the early 80s model of me could not afford each album that I needed, I compromised and acquired the Everyone Desires You single – and 80s synthesizers however, that music, and opening observe, rocked. Subsequent observe, Emotions In Movement sounded very acquainted and that’s as a result of it appears like Queen’s Dragon Assault; and with Roger Taylor and Freddie Mercury contributing to the music, together with their producer Mack, I can see why.
The following three songs of Aspect one are additionally fairly good rockers, particularly the rocking Maintain Me Happy – nevertheless it then falls aside after that. Aspect two merely grew to become a slog, nothing unhealthy, however nothing nice both. Solely She’s A Runner saves Aspect two from whole mediocrity.
That is an album of the instances, and I absolutely get why I needed to purchase Feelings In Movement within the early 80s – however let’s get actual; this report has dated badly. I’ll give this a six however solely due to its opening two tracks and Maintain Me Happy. That is one report that I’ll in all probability by no means play in full once more.
Kingsley Jayasekera: I purchased this after listening to a dwell recording on the radio I believe. The album was a giant disappointment. His crashing, thumping, shrill sound simply received sporting and one of the best songs all seemed like rehashes of his earlier higher songs. All in all it sounded too brash to be a melodic simple pay attention and too tender to be heavy. It simply gave me a headache.
Peter Thomas Webb: Billy Squier’s downside was that he could not determine whether or not to be a full-blown rocker, like Sammy Hagar and Tom Petty, or a radio-friendly pop idol, a la Rick Springfield or Shaun Cassidy. Straddling the fence was a lethal gambit within the fickle eighties, the place the merest concession to pop might get an artist branded as “disco” by the rock group.
Squier definitely wasn’t disco, and his 1981 breakthrough album Do not Say No is a strong set of AM radio-ready pop performed with FM arena-rock angle. Its follow-up, Feelings in Movement, tries the identical balancing act however fails miserably – primarily as a result of the songs aren’t nearly as good. About one of the best are In Your Eyes, a fey however solidly crafted energy ballad, and Maintain Me Happy, a celebration rocker harking back to Boston’s Smokin’.
Generic tensions start with the opening observe, Everyone Desires Some, through which studio-processed drums slap like moist bacon on Formica as Jeff Golub’s lead guitar fights desperately for air. The remainder of the tracks comply with swimsuit, by no means positive whether or not to give attention to getting teen women onto the sock hop dance ground or get the boys across the perimeter to bang their heads.
Producer Reinhold Mack had introduced an analogous schizophrenia to Queen’s The Recreation two years earlier. However Queen (whose Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor sing backup on Feelings in Movement) had the anthemic grit and campy showmanship to make something they did sound intentional.
Billy Squier’s profession tanked one album after Feelings in Movement, allegedly as a result of the video for Rock Me Tonight confirmed him foolishly prancing like an influence pop George Michael. However the sorry truth is Squier did not simply dance like that in movies – he did it on stage, too, each time he doffed his guitar and did his bizarre little rooster dance.
Squier was a very good singer, a talented songwriter, and an underrated guitar participant (for proof, tube the video of his 1981 live performance at Santa Monica Civic Auditorium). However behind all the pieces he did there gave the impression to be enterprise varieties (A&R reps, perhaps, or managers) sculpting his each transfer – as a substitute of letting him flourish because the melodic rock artist he supposed to be. My score: 3/10
Closing rating: 6.34 (61 votes forged, whole rating 387)
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