ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 26 THE J. GEILS BAND - FREEZE-FRAME (1982)

[RJhog (Admin)]

1. Freeze-Frame

2. Rage In The Cage

3. Centerfold

4. Do You Remember When?

5. Insane, Insane Again

6. Flamethrower

7. River Blindness

8. Angel In Blue

9. Piss On The Wall

 

How 'bout we look at something from The J. Geils Band this week? Freeze-Frame was released in 1981 and happens to hold the distinction of being the only J. Geils Band material that this boy owns. I remember listening to this with my cousins. One of them owned it on vinyl and I remember listening to it quite a bit, but, if you had asked me two weeks ago what songs were on it, I would have only been able to list 3 that I remember. But as I listened to it for this week's AOTW, they all came rushing back to me.

 

There were four singles released from the album. Of course, the big one that everybody is familiar with would be Centerfold, which was a number 1 hit. The title track was also a very decent hit, registering a number 4 on the Billboard hot 100. The other two were Angel In Blue and Flamethrower, and neither of them were particular hits. Out of these 4 singles, I'd say that Angel In Blue is easily my favorite, while Flamethrower is a distant second. All 4 singles are really good songs though. What strikes me is that I don't even remember the latter two being released as singles. I would have picked Angel In Blue for the hidden gem award, but I try not to pick singles, even if they weren't hits. I've never forgotten that song, but the one I did forget that I shouldn't have would be Flamethrower. I love the start of that song.

 

The album cuts are somewhat strong as well. Rage In The Cage , Do You Remember When?, Insane, Insane Again and Piss On The Wall are pretty good, but I'm not all that crazy about River Blindness. None of these songs really have a structure or the melody to have been released as singles, so they are relegated to being album cuts, lost in time. The good thing is that you can hear them now and judge for yourselves.

 

So, another week, another album in the books. The artwork for this one is, well, wierd. That's the best way I can describe it. You can still find this album easily on Amazon, $8.99 new, though I don't believer it's been remastered. Enjoy listening.

 

My Favorite Single: Angel In Blue

 

Hidden Gem Award: Do You Remember When?

 

Most Likely To Be Skipped: River Blindness

 

 

***Click this link to listen:  The J. Geils Band - Freeze-Frame

[Scott]

J. Geils is an interesting band. I own Love Stinks and Freeze Frame on vinyl but only upgraded Love Stinks to CD.  I'm gonna give this a fresh listen though and try to figure out why I didnt carry this one forward with me...