HOOTERS - ONE WAY HOME (1987)By the time of release of their 3rd album "One Way Home", The Hooters were already an established chart act, having achieved significant success with the MTV staple "And We Danced", and the corresponding album "Nervous Night". In addition to this, chief songwriters Rob Hyman (Keyboards/Vocals), and Eric Bazilian (Guitar/Vocals), were enjoying the fruits of Cyndi Lauper's success, having written and performed on her breakthrough 1983 album "She's So Unusual". Anticipation could not have been greater for this 1987 release, and although "One Way Home" was not supported by any smash singles, it would go on to remain in the U.S charts for a number of months and achieve Gold sales status. Drawing heavily on traditional instruments such as the Melodica, Mandolin, and Accordian, the album blends traditional eclectic Folk and Rock with quite stunning effect. From the nagging insistence of the opening Keyboard flurry and Edge style Lead Guitar on the opener "Satellite", one is taken through a series of brilliantly performed songs, none lacking in energy or originality, and draw comparisons with R.E.M., U2 and Del Amitri at their best. Following on from the outstanding "Satellite", the startling quality continues with "Karla With A K", which contains one of the most memorable traditional Celtic Folk intro's I have ever heard, and is a great love song. "Johnny B", "Graveyard Waltz" and "Fighting On The Same Side" continue the momentum unabated and just when one thinks that the quality of writing will start to meander on Side Two, the listener is again pleasantly shocked by "Washington Day", a gargantuan ballad, comparing the vitality of love to the most important day in American history. The song seems to have so much a traditional earthy feel, that one might have thought it had been sung around campfires since Independence Day, so memorable is the song. The band would release two more less well received original albums and a live set, and Bazilian and Hyman would go on to write for artists such as Joan Osborne, and would leave the world with this album as something worth cherishing. Almost full marks, but for the slightly clumsy Reggae on the title track "One Way Home". Buy, borrow, or steal, it's your choice, but don't let it pass you by"Satellite"
darmuzz says
I had an ex who used to listen to "Nervous Night" to the point where I got tired of it. It's nice to hear The Hooters again in a different context and remember how accomplished they were! Same ex used to also listen to the David & David album "Boomtown" around that time...I think I was listening to Tears for Fears and The Cult!
deadmandeadman says
An excellent write-up for a truely deserving band. The Hooters was that rare group that could expand a traditional music's colors without jarring the sensibilities. And as you note, their use of 'non-traditional' instrumentation, (ironic, isn't it?) is in no way just for effect. One wonders why the Melodica (hooter) isn't heard all through popular music, especially more folk music. It has a sound both mellow and smooth, with a harmonica-like richness of tone.
I salute you Jammy Jeff, excellent job.
Jammy Jeff says
Darmuzz - IMO "Nervous Night" isn't as good as this album. It's more formulaic. They threw the obvious influences out of the window and went for something completely authentic for this album.
BTW - Nothing wrong with TFF and The Cult. Both fine bands don't you think ? Even now.
Jammy Jeff says
Deadmandeadman - Thanks. It's odd, I never ever see this album in critics "best of" lists and yet every person I know who has a copy of it extols the virtues of it and cites it as one of the best albums of the decade.
Augusts1 says
I liked these guys when their first album came out but I guess I got distracted by other bands I was more into like The Smiths, The Cure, New Order/Joy Division, Depeche Mode, etc. I'm glad I got distracted, lol!
HOOTERS - ONE WAY HOME (1987)By the time of release of their 3rd album "One Way Home", The Hooters were already an established chart act, having achieved significant success with the MTV staple "And We Danced", and the corresponding album "Nervous Night". In addition to this, chief songwriters Rob Hyman (Keyboards/Vocals), and Eric Bazilian (Guitar/Vocals), were enjoying the fruits of Cyndi Lauper's success, having written and performed on her breakthrough 1983 album "She's So Unusual". Anticipation could not have been greater for this 1987 release, and although "One Way Home" was not supported by any smash singles, it would go on to remain in the U.S charts for a number of months and achieve Gold sales status. Drawing heavily on traditional instruments such as the Melodica, Mandolin, and Accordian, the album blends traditional eclectic Folk and Rock with quite stunning effect. From the nagging insistence of the opening Keyboard flurry and Edge style Lead Guitar on the opener "Satellite", one is taken through a series of brilliantly performed songs, none lacking in energy or originality, and draw comparisons with R.E.M., U2 and Del Amitri at their best. Following on from the outstanding "Satellite", the startling quality continues with "Karla With A K", which contains one of the most memorable traditional Celtic Folk intro's I have ever heard, and is a great love song. "Johnny B", "Graveyard Waltz" and "Fighting On The Same Side" continue the momentum unabated and just when one thinks that the quality of writing will start to meander on Side Two, the listener is again pleasantly shocked by "Washington Day", a gargantuan ballad, comparing the vitality of love to the most important day in American history. The song seems to have so much a traditional earthy feel, that one might have thought it had been sung around campfires since Independence Day, so memorable is the song. The band would release two more less well received original albums and a live set, and Bazilian and Hyman would go on to write for artists such as Joan Osborne, and would leave the world with this album as something worth cherishing. Almost full marks, but for the slightly clumsy Reggae on the title track "One Way Home". Buy, borrow, or steal, it's your choice, but don't let it pass you by
"Satellite"
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