Foreigner – Double Vision (Rhino)

Their second album returns to analog in translucent grape vinyl

The runaway success of Foreigner’s debut album from 1977 set the bar pretty high.  But their followup, Double Vision, from 1978, was just as good, and, in some ways, broke new ground as well.  The band’s biggest-selling album returns to vinyl as part of Rhino’s Rocktober series.

The album leads with the pounding “Hot Blooded,” which features a fantastic Mick Jones’ guitar solo.  Despite their heavy leanings, Foreigner’s real gift was always melding pop sensibilities with traditional, hard rock.  Take for example, “Blue Morning, Blue Day” – I love the way the guitar and piano play the lead line together, then the synths add emphasis.

“You’re All I Am” shows the band working on their ballad technique.  They were still years away from “Waiting For a Girl Like You,” yet, this is pretty good.  I love the clavinet flourishes on the verses and the tasteful solo.  The chorus is just kinda so so.  Better is the acoustic beginning of “Back Where You Belong” – featuring Jones on lead vocals.

“Double Vision” was the other other great single.  It’s amazing how hard this rocks, yet it soared to #2 on the Pop charts – the chorus is catchy as hell and Lou Gramm is just spellbinding.  “Tramontane” is a pretty cool, synth-driven instrumental.  Another fine ballad, “I Have Waited So Long,” might be the most underrated track here.  I love the acoustic guitar lines that propel the song.  Jones gives it a gentle vocal, and Ian Macdonald has a great sax solo.

The album closes with the moody “Spellbinder,” which relies on ethereal synths and a soulful Gramm vocal.

Double Vision proved that Foreigner could not only repeat their success, but better it.  Arguably, it set the stage for everything that came after.  —Tony Peters