As part of the really good Universal Music Japan campaign of their ‘HR/HM 1000‘ series – the reissue of long time out of print albums from their Hard Rock / Heavy Metal catalog at the affordable price of 1000 Yen, here’s the underrated BILLY SQUIER 1989’s album “Hear & Now“.
After some dud albums in the mid-Eighties, ”Hear & Now” brings back Squier’s catchiness and that 1989 polished production sound wrapping all these melodies.
Co-produced by (AORsters The Ladder, Lou Reed, I’Napoleon) and Squier, ”Hear & Now” included top musicians in bass player Mark Clarke (ex Uriah Heep, Colosseum, Mountain) and drummer Anton Fig (KISS, Frehley’s Comet), plus longtime partners keyboard player Alan St John, drummer Bobby Chouinard, capable guitarist Jeff Golub, and in-demand guitarist John McCurry (who’s lengthy list of credits include Cher, John Waite, Alice Cooper).
This album really went back to Squier’s classic Don’t Say No sound – with more focus on guitars, a harder edge, and great catchy songs. “Don’t Say You Love Me” was an excellent single, got a lot of radio air-play, and would be the last Billy Squier single to hit the top 100.
“Hear & Now” really has no duff tracks, with classic Squier rock tunes like “Stronger”, “Tied Up” (a radio hit), “G.O.D”., “The Work Song”. A favorite is “(I Put A) Spell On You” – this one sounds too like it would’ve fit perfectly on Don’t Say No, and would’ve been an outstanding choice for a single here.
Other fav track is 2nd single “Don’t Let Me Down”, somewhat of a ballad, great chorus, love the use of mandolin on this song as well; this one should’ve been a big hit. Solid production on this album, which also features plenty of backing singers, rocking saxophone, percussion, synths – all the while making this album more rockin’ and memorable.
”Hear & Now” is just as good, and possibly the best album Squier did since Don’t Say No.
Despite 2 decent follow up albums, ”Hear & Now” wouldn’t turn Squier’s fortunes around at the time, but for us (and many fans) as well as for late ’80s aficionados, it is an underrated classic in Squier’s catalogue that should’ve done better.
Highly Recommended
ＵＮＩＶＥＲＳＡＬ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ 【ＵＩＣＹ～79827】
Ｈ Ｒ / Ｈ Ｍ １０００ ＳＥＲＩＥＳ
01 – Rock Out / Punch Somebody
02 – Stronger
03 – Don’t Say You Love Me
04 – Don’t Let Me Go
05 – Tied Up
06 – (I Put A) Spell On You
07 – G.O.D.
08 – Mine Tonite
09 – The Work Song
10 – Your Love Is My Life
Vocals, Guitars – Billy Squier
Guitar – Jeff Golub, John McCurry
Bass – Mark Clarke
Drums – Anton Fig, Bobby Chouinard
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Alan St. Jon
Backing Vocals – Doug Lubahn
Percussion – Godfrey Diamond, Steven Scales
Mastered By George Marino