Song #64 On My MP3 Player - Dangerous by The Neighborhoods

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I have decided to share with the Lost Soul faithful every song that is stored on my MP3 player which is a Philips GoGear Vibe 4G model. All posts are in alphabetical order. Song #64 on my MP3 player is 'Dangerous' by The Neighborhoods which is the fifth track on their 1987 album Reptile Men.

The Neighborhoods are sadly an overlooked band that released some great music during the 1970's and 1980's. Their earlier music had a power pop quality and it evolved into an impressive hard rock sound. I've been a fan since the mid 1990's and the music of The Neighborhoods is well represented on my MP3 player. Today's selection is 'Dangerous' which is an excellent example of their later hard rockin' sound.



TonyDoug Wright is The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll.

Song #56 On My MP3 Player - Cliches by The Neighborhoods

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I have decided to share with the Lost Soul faithful every song that is stored on my MP3 player which is a Philips GoGear Vibe 4G model. All posts are in alphabetical order. Song #56 on my MP3 player is 'Cliches' by The Neighborhoods which is the tenth track on their 1987 album Reptile Men.

I first heard the music of The Neighborhoods on a Rhino punk compilation CD titled Mass Ave.: The Boston Scene (1975-1983). The song was titled 'No Place Like Home' and I wanted to hear more of their music. I used to know a guy named Clem Lane and he was a great guy that was subscribed to a Guided by Voices mailing list. Clem was a guy that knew just about every bad that ever existed. I'm not joking. One day I posted to the Guided by Voices mailing list and asked where I could get more of The Neighborhoods music. Clem responded and sent me a mix tape. I became a fan of The Neighborhoods, or The 'Hoods as they are called back in Boston.

The Neighborhoods were a Boston band formed in 1977 and it was 1992 when they disbanded. The band started off with a scrappy pop punk style that matured into a slick rock sound. 'Cliches' is a great example of their later sound and I hope you enjoy today's selection.



TonyDoug Wright is The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll

My Super 70's: Roadrunner by The Modern Lovers

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My Super 70's has come to an end and there is no better act to close this week than The Modern Lovers. This Boston, Massachusetts band was led by the eccentric Jonathan Richman and were active during the 1970's and 1980's. 'Roadrunner' is the opening track to their 1976 classic pre-punk masterpiece The Modern Lovers.

Simplicity in rock and roll should be appreciated. Some bands can create complex masterpieces, and I truly appreciate those works, but a teenage Jonathan Richman took three chords and created a punk anthem about the joys of driving in your car and listening to some great rock music. 'Roadrunner' is in my opinion one of the greatest songs in the history of rock and roll.

Released in 1976, The Modern Lovers debut was an influential rock and roll album that spent some four or five years in development hell. The Modern Lovers were pursued by various record companies in the early 70's, but tensions in the band and some other issues delayed the release. By 1976, Richman was essentially a solo artist that used a variety of backing musicians that were labeled 'The Modern Lovers'.

I don't think there is a better song to open an album than 'Roadrunner'. Richman's count to six leads into a true rock and roll experience that is second to none. It might not hit you at first, but 'Roadrunner' takes the listener to a time when rock and roll was fun and kids could jump on the stage with a band that had a handful of songs that used a couple of chords.

On a side note, a lawmaker in Massachusetts is trying to make 'Roadrunner' the official state song. Enjoy!





TonyDoug Wright is The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll and is also the head writer and owner of Champion City Comics. Follow him @TonyDougWright on Twitter.