Dad, what have you done? It’s DRT yet again, and Boston’s self-titled debut has me in a serious conundrum.
I want to hate this record, I really do. This is 70s glam rock at its corniest. With cheesy lyrics, over-the-top guitar riffs, and a ridiculous cover, there should be nothing redeeming about this album. I’d like to think that if something like this came out today, I’d stop listening after track two. I know that’s not the case, though; I love me some Foxy Shazam. I’m quite the walking contradiction, but that’s for another day. Right now, I’ve got to deal with Boston’s Boston.
When it comes down to it, disliking a record is hard to do when you already know half of its songs. I have a guitar hero story very similar to the one about Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child o’ Mine about Foreplay/Longtime…actually the story is exactly the same, so I won’t bore you with it. My point is that I can’t suddenly turn on a record that has so many components that I’ve embraced throughout my life.
More importantly, it’d be extremely hypocritical of me to hate on such a blatantly fun rock album. I have said before that it’s okay to like music for no other reason than its catchiness, and Boston is beyond catchy. If that riff from Smokin’ isn’t stuck in your head for days after you hear it, then you have no soul.
Yes, this is cheese rock. Yes, I probably lose all sorts of hipster cred for embracing it. Long story short, I don’t care. It sounds good, and life is too short to listen to records that you have to pretend to understand.
Swole Ear 
I will spare you my views on this steaming turd of an album but for one: it is NOT glam rock. It is corporate arena rock.
Herr Doktor Chops is correct that it isn’t Glam Rock, but he gets the rest wrong. I’m with Mr. Ear on this one. This album is a nostalgic good time and if I were one of those guys with a dozen tatoos, I would have to think about getting a guitar spaceship on my calf. It may not be good (and it may be good), but it is fun, whether or not you’re playing it on Guitar Hero.
…so we can look forward to DRTs featuring Kansas, Asia, Journey, Pablo Cruise, Toto and Jefferson Starship? For a nostalgic good time, of course.
I don’t know about Mr. Ear Sr., never met the guy, but I don’t like any of those bands. I think Boston is different. Better. I do think it may be time for a little DRT ELP, but I guess that is up to Mr. Ear Sr.
…ooooh and how did I forget Styx? The interweb says that they toured with Boston a couple years ago so the link is real. Plus they come from Chicago, don’t they B? “Babe” – that is truly American Gold.
Now what would be REALLY cool is if your dad had a photo disk version of this album, if that’s what they were called back then.
Respectfully, Mr. Chops, this is a polished piece of American gold. If you desist, I will reserve the urge to comment on Anne Murray, Celine Dion and Rush. Oh, did I leave out back bacon and Alan Thicke?
Have at it, B. And the bacon is “Canadian Bacon”. If you need me, I will be having a bagel burger at Beauty’s with Leonard Cohen, Rufus and Martha Wainright and the members of Arcade Fire.
Michael Buble. Oops! Did that just slip out?
I am so lost.
Why can’t you boys play nice? And what’s wrong with Michael Buble’, I love that guy.
And a Justin Bieber to you, Mr. Connick!
Don’t make fun of the Maple Messiah. He will save us all.
I’m just jealous of his hair.