Artist: Foreigner Album: Unusual Heat

Year: 1991
Duration: 50:49

An Unusual Review of Foreigner's Unusual Heat Album

Foreigner fans, rejoice! Today, we're going to take a critical look at the band's ninth studio album, Unusual Heat. Released in 1991, the album was the band's last to feature lead vocalist Lou Gramm until his return in 1994. Unusual Heat marks a departure from the classic Foreigner sound, incorporating elements of hard rock and blues. While it may not have received as much critical acclaim as some of the band's earlier releases, it's still an album that's worth revisiting. So put on your headphones and let's dive in!

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Unusual Heat, let's take a brief look at Foreigner's history. Formed in 1976, the band quickly became one of the most successful rock acts of the late 70s and early 80s. Hits like Cold As Ice, Hot Blooded, and I Want To Know What Love Is cemented the band's place in the rock and roll pantheon. But by the late 80s, Foreigner's popularity had begun to wane. This brings us to Unusual Heat, an album that attempted to reinvent the band's sound for the 90s.

Unusual Heat sees Foreigner moving away from their trademark power ballads and towards a more guitar-driven sound. The album's lead single, Lowdown and Dirty, is a perfect example of this. It's a hard-hitting, bluesy track that showcases Gramm's vocals in a different light than we're used to hearing. Other standout tracks on the album include All I Need To Know, a mid-tempo rocker, and I'll Fight for You, a slower, more emotional song that still manages to pack a punch.

While Unusual Heat is a departure from the classic Foreigner sound, there are still moments on the album that will be familiar to longtime fans. Ready for the Rain, for example, features a catchy chorus and soaring guitar solos that wouldn't be out of place on any of the band's earlier albums. And Until the End of Time is a classic power ballad that showcases Gramm's vocal range.

However, there are also moments on Unusual Heat that feel a bit over-produced and dated. When The Night Comes Down is a prime example of this. While it's a catchy enough tune, the synth-heavy production and drum machine beats sound a bit cheesy by today's standards. Similarly, Safe In My Heart is a schmaltzy ballad that can't quite escape the dreaded cheese factor.

Despite its flaws, Unusual Heat is an album that's worth a listen. It may not be as celebrated as some of Foreigner's earlier releases, but it's a fascinating look at a band that was trying to find its footing in a new decade. And while it's not perfect, there are still some great songs to be found here.

So what's the verdict? Is Unusual Heat a classic Foreigner album or a misstep? Well, it's a bit of both. While there are some great songs on the album, there are also moments that feel a bit forced and dated. But that's the risk you take when you try to reinvent your sound. I'd say that Unusual Heat is definitely worth a listen, especially if you're a die-hard Foreigner fan. It may not be the band's best album, but it's still an interesting chapter in their story.