Foreigner (1976) The Damage is Done

 Off Foreigner's barn storming success of a debut album this track featured a more solid group effort than the stripped down 80's outfit they would become. While a Mick Jones/ Lou Gramm song my favourite part comes at 1:35: the entrance of Ian McDonald's acoustic guitar striding in glistening strums while Al Greenwood's upbeat Moog bass line brings the triumphancy of a cavalrymen's trumpet. The body of the song has a plodding structure with some bass synth while Gramm shows off the kind of restrained hard rock vocals that made Foreigner's hit songs have an added quality to it. There are some late 70s Disco strings and Mick Jones' fiery lead at the end but it's McDonald's progressive folk guitar that provides a mellow counter point; a dynamic edge missing form their later 'Corporate Rock' sound. Like Journey, Styx et al this band started off more interesting and talented then at their supposed peak.