Straight Up winds up somewhat less dynamic than No Dice, largely because that record alternated its rockers, pop tunes, and ballads. Here, everything is at a similar level, as the ballads are made grander and the rockers have their melodic side emphasized. Consequently, the record sounds more unified than No Dice, which had a bit of a split personality. Todd Rundgren's warm, detailed production makes each songwriter sound as if he was on the same page, although the bonus tracks -- revealing the abandoned original Geoff Emerick productions -- prove that the distinctive voices on No Dice were still present. Frankly, the increased production is for the best, since Badfinger sounds best when there's as much craft in the production as there is in the writing. Here, there's absolutely no filler and everybody is in top form. Pete Ham's "Baby Blue" is textbook power-pop -- irresistibly catchy fuzz riffs and sighing melodies -- and with its Harrison-esque slide guitars, "Day After Day" is so gorgeous it practically aches. "Perfection" is an unheralded gem, while "Name of the Game" and "Take It All" are note-perfect pop ballads. Tom Evans isn't as prolific here, but the one-two punch of "Money" and "Flying" is the closest Straight Up gets to Abbey Road, and "It's Over" is a fine closer. Still, what holds the record together is Joey Molland's emergence as a songwriter. His work on No Dice is enjoyable, but here, he comes into his own with a set of well-constructed songs. This fine songwriting, combined with sharp performances and exquisite studio craft, make Straight Up one of the cornerstones of power-pop, a record that proved that it was possible to make classic guitar-pop after its golden era had passed.
20/20 - Best power pop band of the 1980sChris Silagyi, Steve Allen, Ron Flynt, Mike Gallo on drumsI suppose there is a strong argument for calling The Beatles the first power pop band... although I think most people point to Beatle proteges, Apple Records' own Badfinger as the ultimate power pop band.Whatever... however... tonight in Nashville, I saw Badfinger's Joey Molland sing both Beatles a...
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i heard badfinger on the radio with their hit "come and get it" and that made me ask my mom to take me to see the film, the magic christian, which i didn't quite fully understand, being all of 11 or 12 years old. but ringo was in the movie, so that entertained me.badfinger did have a relationship with the beatles, and they were on apple records for a few albums. george harrison even played on...
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20/20 - Best power pop band of the 1980sChris Silagyi, Steve Allen, Ron Flynt, Mike Gallo on drumsI suppose there is a strong argument for calling The Beatles the first power pop band... although I think most people point to Beatle proteges, Apple Records' own Badfinger as the ultimate power pop band.Whatever... however... tonight in Nashville, I saw Badfinger's Joey Molland sing both Beatles a...
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‘There is no real Perfection. There'll be no perfect day…. There's no good revolution. Just power changing hands. There is no straight solution. Except to understand. So listen to my song, of life. You don't need a gun, or a knife. Successful conversation, will take you very far’. There is no real Perfection. There'll be no perfect man. Just peace is o
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i heard badfinger on the radio with their hit "come and get it" and that made me ask my mom to take me to see the film, the magic christian, which i didn't quite fully understand, being all of 11 or 12 years old. but ringo was in the movie, so that entertained me.badfinger did have a relationship with the beatles, and they were on apple records for a few albums. george harrison even played on...
More >
The version here is the original, which is what I want. iTunes doesn't have it.
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| Title | Lyrics | Buy |
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| 1 Take It All |
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| 2 Baby Blue |
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| 3 Money |
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| 4 Flying |
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| 5 I'd Die Babe |
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| 6 Name of the Game |
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| 7 Suitcase |
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| 8 Sweet Tuesday Morning |
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| 9 Day After Day |
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| 10 Sometimes |
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| 11 Perfection |
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| 12 It's Over |
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| 13 Money [Original Version][#] |
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| 14 Flying [Original Version][#] |
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| 15 Name of the Game [Original Version][#] |
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| 16 Suitcase [Original Version][#] |
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| 17 Perfection [Original Version][#] |
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| 18 Baby Blue [US Single Mix] |
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Click to purchase…
© 2006-2009 Mog Inc. All Rights Reserved
 "Straight Up")
