Is this the same Boston that produced 'More than a feeling' and 'Party'? When I first heard the single, 'Corporate America' (first seen as DOWNERS REVENGE on MP3.com), I didn't think they were - but now, after hearing some of the other songs on their new CD, they still remain true to their 70's roots - Will they be as big as before? I doubt it. But it's nice to see Tom Scholz and Brad Delp still rocking it up! It's funny to see a band preaching the same 'Corporate America' thoughts as many others today:
Who can stop de-evolution of the human race?
Look at you, Corporate America, you're in disgrace
Globalize; cigarettes, business jets, you love it
Maximize; but you can take your bottom line and shove it
Yet back in the original days of the 70's, they preached how they were discovered in their song, 'Rock and Roll Band':
"Boys, I think this bands outta-sight
Sign a record company contract
You know I've got great expectations
When I hear you on the car radio
You're goin' to be a sensation!"
Oh how the times change.
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
thanks Z, what's funny is "Rock and Roll Band" was total bullshit. They wren't "discovered": there was no band until Tom got a record deal based upon his "home" recordings, and then had to throw a band together to tour behind the record. they have been a studio fabrication from the beginning.
2 - Zaldor
Boston's never been more than the Monkees, eh? And now they're rebelling against the Corporate America that created them. How ironic.
3 - Eric Olsen
Well, I wouldn't say they're the Monkees because they are led by a guy in the group, who plays most of the instruments, produces, writes the songs, rather than being the puppet of an outside party, but there wasn't a "group" before there was a record.
4 - gstandard
Ah.....there is a long history of the original Boston members working together prior to becoming "Boston". Originally, Scholz joined Barry Goudreau's (original guitarist) band, Mother's Milk. Barry also got Brad Delp involved in the band. He also recruited Sib Hashian and Fran Sheehan.
Barry was the original (and only) guitarist on the early pre-Boston demo tapes in 1973 - 74. Back then, Scholz started writing the bulk on the songs, but Barry was creating the guitar parts. These early recordings included San Franciso Days (Gonna Hitch A Ride), Smokin, Foreplay and Love (Don't Be Afraid). In fact, Barry worked with Tom as early as 1969.
Later (1975), Scholz created a new set of demo recordings (6 songs) using the original Mother's Milk songs as well as a few new ones. These demos eventually landed Scholz and Delp a recording contract.
Although Barry never received any song writing credit, he most certainly contributed to the creation of the early Boston music. His most significant contribution was the high energy lead work. He created the leads for Long Time, Don't Look Back, Used to Bad News. In addition, he did the guitar work for Let Me Take You Home Tonight. Where ever you here the heavier, flashier playing on Boston / Don't Look Back, you are hearing Barry's influence.
5 - Ralph Conventri
Very easy it is to destroy, the difficult thing is in building
6 - Dave Stang
You detractors have it all wrong.BOSTON really was discovered,no bullshit.It took a lot of hard work.The Monkees they were not.Their sound was unique. I have not heard a band like this in 30 years.Yes,getting rid of Barry Goudreau was a mistake.He actually worked with Brad Delp many times after leaving the band.However,Tom Scholz is really the lifeblood of BOSTON.30,000,000 albums sold is pretty good when you don't rely on MTV for promotion, like virually every other rock band of the era did.
7 - Douglas Mays
First of all, RIP Brad Delp. If we only knew the story there.
I was a Boston fan from the get go. And I was so anti-70s commercialism at the time. But I was at the record store and happened to just pick up this new record and read the bi on the back cover. This MIT grad invented some boxes and made a record in his basement? WOW. GOOD record! I mean, some of the songs were too commercial for me, but some were very well crafted.
I went and saw them a few times. Their second tour for the Boston II album was quite amazing. The sound quality was excellent. Have not heard arena rock sound so good since. You would think in this modern age sound would improve. But no, it actually is worse.
Oh, the live version of 'More Than a Feeling' really showed that the band had some chops. It was as if Santana went into a space jam.
Sholtz's cut of Rockman sales must be something. How many producers and musicians have used such in their sound? Most everyone.
best,
DM