Foreigner (Foreigner album)

''Foreigner'' is the debut studio album by British-American rock band Foreigner, released in 8 March 1977. It spun off three hit singles, "Feels Like the First Time", " Cold as Ice" and "Long, Long Way from Home". It also features album tracks such as "Headknocker" and "Starrider", the latter of which features a rare lead vocal from lead guitarist and co-founder Mick Jones. The first attempt at mixing the album was done at Sarm Studios, London, but as they were dissatisfied with the result, the album was re-mixed at Atlantic Recording Studios by Mick Jones, Ian McDonald and Jimmy Douglass.

Reception

''Los Angeles Times'' critic Robert Hilburn summed up his contemporary review of ''Foreigner'' saying "The production work is crisp, the melodies are serviceable and the vocals are eager. But there is far too little point of view to make any of it commanding." ''Hartford Courant'' critic Henry McNulty said "There's something good beginning here, and the sooner you get in on it the better." ''Annison Star'' reviewer Mike Stamler felt that most of the songs were "sanforized, sanitized and safely sterilized into three basic chords" with "immature lyrics," leaving little variety on the album, and suggested that more instrumental solos would have been beneficial.

Allmusic critic Andy Hinds said that for suburban teenagers in the 1970s the "immaculate rock sound" on ''Foreigner'' "was the perfect soundtrack for cruising through well-manicured neighborhoods in their Chevy Novas," and praised the band's "pure rock craftsmanship."

''Billboard'' reviewer Gary Graff rated four of the songs from ''Foreigner'' (the three singles plus "Headknocker") among the ten greatest Foreigner songs. Graff described "Headknocker" as a "gritty, stomping rocker."

''Classic Rock'' critic Malcolm Dome rated two songs from ''Foreigner'' as being among Foreigner's 10 most underrated – "Starrider" at #7 and "Long, Long Way from Home" at #4. Dome calls Starrider a "beautifully developed, introspective tale of aspiration," even though it doesn't sound much like Foreigner and its lyrics "come across as 50s pulp sci fi." ''Ultimate Classic Rock'' critic Eduardo Rivadavia also rated two songs from ''Foreigner'' among the band's 10 most underrated – "Fool for You Anyway" at #6 and "Long, Long Way from Home" at #2.

Jones has rated four songs from the album ("Long, Long Way from Home," "Cold as Ice," "The Damage Is Done" and "Fool for You Anyway") as being among his 11 favorite Foreigner songs.

Track listing

Personnel

Foreigner
* Lou Gramm – lead vocals, percussion
* Mick Jones – keyboards, lead guitars, backing vocals, lead vocals (3, 7)
* Ian McDonald – keyboards, guitars, saxophone, flute, backing vocals
* Al Greenwood – keyboards, synthesizers
* Ed Gagliardi – bass, backing vocals
* Dennis Elliott – drums, backing vocals

Additional personnel
* Ian Lloyd – backing vocals

In July 2010, the audiophile label Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab released this album on the Super Audio Compact Disc (SACD) format. It is presented in a "Mini Vinyl" replica cardboard case but omits the bonus tracks.

Production

* Producers – Gary Lyons and John Sinclair, in collaboration with Mick Jones and Ian McDonald.
* Engineer – Gary Lyons
* Assistant Engineers – Jimmy Douglass, Michael Getlin, Kevin Herron and Randy Mason.
* Mixing – Jimmy Douglass, Mick Jones and Ian McDonald.
* Basic Tracks recorded at The Hit Factory and Atlantic Recording Studios.
* Overdubs recorded at Atlantic Recording Studios.
* Mixed at Atlantic Recording Studios.
* Mastered by George Piros at Atlantic Recording Studios.
* Art Direction – Bob Defrin
* Cover Illustrations – Alex Gnidziejko

Charts

Certifications

References

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Foreigner (band) albums
1977 debut albums
Albums produced by Mick Jones (Foreigner)
Atlantic Records albums