Foreigner – Head Games (Rhino)

Final album as a sextet on translucent, light blue vinyl

Rhino Records continues its Rocktober vinyl series, mining the Warner catalog for Foreigner’s third album, Head Games.  It’s easily the hardest rocking album in the band’s catalog.  Starting out with the blistering “Dirty White Boy,” fueled by a very primitive guitar riff, and a snarling solo.  Things shift slightly for the pulsing synths that open “Love on the Telephone,” but it still rocks.  That’s followed by the downright sexist, “Women,” carried by a low, bending guitar riff – it’s anything but subtle.

“I’ll Get Even With You” had a slick guitar line and synths, softening things a little, but “Seventeen” was more hard rock with frenetic drumming and a disappointing chorus.

“Head Games” is one of the band’s finest singles – a great lead riff and keyboards, with an excellent Lou Gramm vocal over top.  “Modern Day” gives Mick Jones a turn at vocals – one of his more confident stabs at singing, and I love the acoustic guitar breakdown in the middle.

Does anyone else see the coincidence in the song “Blinded By Science”?  It’s a slow burner, with a great Gramm vocal.  For the band’s next album, 4, Thomas Dolby would provide keyboards.  He would then take the money from that album sales and put it toward his solo career – his breakout hit being, “She Blinded Me With Science.”  Hmmm…

Two of the best songs round out the end of the album – “Do What You Like” is a moody piece with a melodic guitar solo – yet the song just sort of fades out before really finishing.  “Rev on the Red Line” is the most underrated song here – Gramm kills the singing, whipping out the racing/love innuendos in this midtempo song.     

Head Games was Foreigner essentially treading water.  It’s a decent album, but it was obvious the band was in need of something new.  They would jettison several band members and take on a new direction with their next album, 4, carrying the band to even bigger heights.   —Tony Peters