''Modern Madness'' is the second studio album from American singer and songwriter

Robert Tepper Robert Tepper (born May 30, 1950) is an American songwriter, recording artist and singer, best known for his chart-topper, hit song "No Easy Way Out" from the ''Rocky IV'' motion picture Rocky IV (soundtrack), soundtrack. He is also known for co- ...

Background

After signing with Scotti Brothers and moving to Los Angeles in 1985, Tepper found himself in the public eye after actor/director

Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Enzio Stallone (; born Michael Sylvester Gardenzio Stallone, ) is an American actor and filmmaker. After his beginnings as a struggling actor for a number of years upon arriving to New York City in 1969 and later Hollywood in 1974, h ...

used Tepper's song "No Easy Way Out" in the movie ''

Rocky IV ''Rocky IV'' is a 1985 American sports drama film written, directed by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the sequel to ''Rocky III'' (1982) and is the fourth installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise. It also stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Ca ...

''. The track climbed to No. 22 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1986, and Tepper's debut album of the same name peaked at No. 144. However, the 1988 follow-up album ''Modern Madness'' was a commercial failure. Both ''No Easy Way Out'' and ''Modern Madness'' received little promotion from the label Scotti Bros. Records. As a result, Tepper separated from the label in protracted legal proceedings and was unable to record any new material although he would continue to write. A third album ''No Rest for the Wounded Heart'' would follow eight years later in 1996. The album was recorded at One on One Studios. It was entirely produced by

Joe Chiccarelli Joe or JOE may refer to: Arts Film and television * ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle * ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage * ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971 * ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...

and featured 10 original tracks. All songs were written by Tepper, except for "Don't Get Me Started" and "Daylight" which were both written by Tepper and Phil Galdston, whilst "Love Turned to Crime" was written by Tepper and Myron Grombacher (who provided drums and percussion on the album). The song "Fighting for You" is a duet, featuring guest vocals from Carroll Sue Hill. American pianist and singer-songwriter

Tori Amos Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos; August 22, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter and pianist. She is a classically trained musician with a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Having already begun composing instrumental pieces on piano, Amos won a full ...

provided backing vocals on the album. After the disbanding of Amos' group

Y Kant Tori Read Y Kant Tori Read was an American synthpop band fronted by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. The band released one album, also called '' Y Kant Tori Read'', which was largely unsuccessful. Atlantic Records abandoned promoting the album completely afte ...

, Amos decided to work with various artists as a backup vocalist while she decided her next career move. Two singles were lifted from the album. "The Unforgiven" was released as a 12" promo in America only, with a sticker label stating ''"Be one of "The Unforgiven"''. Both sides of the vinyl were the same track. A promotional music video was created for "The Unforgiven". "When You Dream of Love" was also issued in America on 7" vinyl as a promotional release only, featuring the same track on both sides of the vinyl. In a March 1997 interview with Tepper by Stefan Edström for aor.nu, Tepper was responded to Edström's criticism of ''Modern Madness'':

Release

The album was released via Scotti Bros. Records in America, Canada, Japan and certain places in Europe including Germany and Italy. It was issued on vinyl and cassette, whilst CD versions were also released in America, Germany and Japan. The album was manufactured and distributed by CBS Records Inc. Since its release, the album soon became out-of-print and remained that way for many years. In 2009, Sony/BMG re-released his first two albums digitally, and ''Modern Madness'' was made available as a MP3 download on places such as iTunes and Amazon.

Track listing

Personnel

- vocals, keyboards (tracks 5 and 8) *

Dann Huff Dann Lee Huff (born November 15, 1960) is an American record producer and songwriter. For his work as a producer in the country music genre, he has won several awards, including the ''Musician of the Year'' award in 2001, 2004, and 2016 at the Co ...

Gary Myrick Gary Myrick is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. Career Born in Dallas, Texas, Gary Myrick played guitar and sang in Dallas and neighboring Fort Worth starting as a teenager. Eventually, he built a significant enough reputation to be ...

, Gene Black - guitar *

Fernando Saunders Fernando Saunders is an American musician, singer and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. He is perhaps best known for his longtime partnership with musician Lou Reed, from 1982 to 1987 and again from 1996 to 2008. Biography Fernando Saund ...

- bass (tracks 1 to 8, 10) * Leon Johnson - bass (track 9) *

Kevin Savigar Kevin Savigar (born 9 November 1956) is an English session keyboardist, record producer, songwriter, and composer based in Los Angeles, CA. Perhaps most recognised for his longtime collaboration with Rod Stewart, Savigar has also contributed to ...

- keyboards * Myron Grombacher - drums, percussion *

- backing vocals * Carroll Sue Hill - vocals (track 3) * Dann Huff - arrangement (track 3) *

- producer * Bernard Frings,

Toby Wright Toby Wright is an American record producer and mixing engineer who has worked with artists such as Alice in Chains, Metallica, Sevendust and Korn. Credits Producer * 3rd Strike - '' Lost Angel'' *8stops7 - ''In Moderation'' *Alice in Chains - ...

- assistant engineer * Paul Lani - recording * Randee St. Nicholas - photography * Tony Lane, Nancy Donald - art direction

References

{{Authority control 1988 albums Scotti Brothers Records albums Albums produced by Joe Chiccarelli Robert Tepper albums