Artist: Foghat Album: Foghat (Rock 'n' Roll)

Year: 1973
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Foghat's Rock 'n' Roll Album: The Good, The Bad, and The Innovative

Foghat's Rock 'n' Roll album, released in 1973, has been regarded as one of their most successful albums to date, and remains a classic rock staple. As a fan of Foghat's rich guitar riffs and distinct sound, I had high expectations for this album. In this blog post, I'll provide you a brief history of the band, break down the album's genre, highlight the best songs, explore the most innovative parts of the album, and ultimately provide you with an honest critic of this legendary classic rock album.

The foundation of Foghat was laid in 1971, and the original members were Dave Peverett, Tony Stevens, Rod Price, and Roger Earl. The band was formed after these members left another band, Savoy Brown. The name Foghat came about as an anagram of phantom and foghorn. Soon after their formation, they released their debut self-titled album, which was successful, but not as much as their second album, called Energized. However, the band truly gained popularity with their album Fool for the City featuring their classic hit Slow Ride.

Now about the Rock 'n' Roll album, its genre can simply be described as blues rock, although it does have some southern rock elements to it. Foghat was known for their blues influence, but with this album they added a more upbeat and fast-paced sound, which was a refreshing change from their slower blues ballads.

Of all the songs on this album, the most popular were Rock and Roll Outlaw, Save Your Loving (For Me), and A Hole to Hide In. Aside from these, most of the songs on this album tend to sound similar and lack the uniqueness that is found on Fool for the City.

One of the most innovative aspects of this album is the use of slide guitar. This style and technique is often employed in blues and rock music, but Foghat found a way to make it their own by adding it in the middle of some of their tracks, giving them an additional layer of texture and color. Another standout feature is Rod Price's unconventional guitar playing. In A Hole to Hide In and Step Outside, you can hear Price's smooth licks and raw riffs.

Critically speaking, the album is a solid piece of work, but fails to live up to the hype created by the albums that came before and after it. Foghat was still in the early stages of honing in their signature style, and this album feels like it’s still searching rather than confidently secure and refined.

In conclusion, Foghat's Rock 'n' Roll album marked a transitional period for the band, showcasing a shift in their sound and genre. Although some of the songs lacked the uniqueness that fans had grown accustomed to, their use of slide guitar and Rod Price's exceptional guitar playing was impressive and noteworthy. While not their strongest album, it's still an important piece of classic rock history and one worth adding to your old vinyl record collection.

In conclusion, Foghat's Rock 'n' Roll album marked a transitional period for the band, showcasing a shift in their sound and genre. Although some of the songs lacked the uniqueness that fans had grown accustomed to, their use of slide guitar and Rod Price's exceptional guitar playing was impressive and noteworthy. While not their strongest album, it's still an important piece of classic rock history and one worth adding to your old vinyl record collection.