Why is Foreplay so short?! Vocal ANALYSIS of "Foreplay/Long Time" by Boston!

[@TheCorpsehatch]

This whole album is a classic. Not a bad song on it at all. It's one of those albums you have to listen to in one sitting.

[@martycech5844]

Masterpiece!

[@mr.knowitall6440]

Yeah, the album has a great flow to it. It "pairs well" with a little wine, a little herb, or a little mushroom... 🤙😎

[@Novakiller]

You took my words! 😏👏🤣😈🤘

[@e.g.6386]

​@@user-lw4hz5hx5h Hitch A Ride has one of my all time favorite guitar solos. Not the most complicated but it's one of those ones you HAVE to crank the volume on.

[@mannyfran8024]

Agreed. One of the best debut albums of all time. The just released demos is an interesting listen too🎶.!!❤

[@stevenewcomer8837]

Tom Scholz recorded the first Boston album in his basement studio playing ALL of the instruments himself. Remember this was way before digital and ProTools. When he finished the music he brought in Brad Delp who was introduced to him by Barry Goudreau to do the vocals. Brad did ALL of the vocals by himself; lead, backup vocals, and harmonies. That’s why the harmonies sound so unbelievable. After completed Tom shopped record companies and got a record deal. He changed the band name from Mother’s Milk to Boston and then had to assemble a band so they could tour. For personal reasons the song “A Man I’ll Never Be” is special to me. It was on their second album. I lost my daughter on March 9, 2023 at the age of 29 after a five year battle with three rare diseases that left her GI tract completely paralyzed. I felt that song was about me and as hard as I tried I could not be the man I needed to be for her. I could not find a way to save her. 😪 A short time later I found that she passed on the same day as Brad Delp, March 9th.

[@joelhammond4162]

So sorry to hear about your daughter. I could not imagine. My sympathies and condolences. I love that song too! Great synopsis, except one note, he did bring in the drummer earlier to lay down the drum tracks for the recordings as well. Scholz holds a Masters in Engineering from MIT and while working for Kodak helped to develop their version of the One Step instant camera. Then later as a by product of not being satisfied with most guitar effects and sound gear available on the market, he just made his own, which led to the formation of Rockman and the famous Rockman portable belt attachable guitar amplifier. The tiny amplifier sound output was so good for its time and so quiet in terms of unwanted noise, it was used in the studio for years to come by many artists and album producers, such as John Mutt Lange. Need or necessity is the mother of invention as they say, but needless to say Tom is quite the innovator. Very interesting.

[@Ken5244]

Small correction -- Tom didn't play "ALL of the instruments himself." Sib Hashian played all of the drum parts on the album except for one song (that Jim Masdea played on). And Barry Goudreau has said that he played guitar on "Long Time." Other than that, yes, Tom played all of the keyboard, bass and the rest of the guitar parts on the album.

[@richardharrold9736]

Sounds kind of like how Dave Grohl recorded the first Foo Fighters album almost entirely on his own, with only one guest guitar track...

[@clansome]

@@Ken5244 Tom played all the instruments (except drums which Jim Masdea played) FOR THE DEMOS. The group was formed afterwards.

[@wraithsong24-7]

So sorry for your loss.

[@ddevlin13]

Not the first time I am making this comment. Elizabeth's ability to take a song that I have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of times in the past 47 years since its release and make me feel like I am listening to it for the first time is a gift beyond words.

[@dartheviscerus4491]

Well said!

[@cubbieken]

Amen brother

[@jamesleasure8836]

Amen! She exudes the joy of music.

[@BlackRoseImmortal]

Any time a reactor who has never heard a great song finally hears it the first time and THEY GET IT, always makes it feel like the first time I heard it too. Brings me right back.

[@Lyeah73]

Same! She makes me hear things in songs I’ve never heard before. I love listening to songs though her mind. ❤

[@davide.pedersen3378]

Tom Schultz is a MIT graduate. He's made millions of dollars with his guitar and bass effect units. The organ is a modified Hammond B-3 organ that he customized it himself. When you hear Boston, you know it's Boston. No other band sounds anything like them. And the entire album is a treasure-trove of hit Rock songs. My personal favorite is Smokin'. It's very upbeat, and has some of the coolest keyboard solos in all of rock. And the vocals are worthy of your analysis. 😎☮️

[@neechee5150]

@davide.pedersen3378 Tom has been very clear that for the first two records he used a Hammond M-3 not a B-3. He even talks about how the M-3 allowed him to emphasize a different series of harmonics than the B-3 did.

[@davide.pedersen3378]

@@neechee5150 did not know that 😎☮️

[@crashandburngaming5103]

I had a Rockman way back in the 80’s. wish I knew where it went lol.

[@snartal]

No digital synthesizers then. No drum machines. No clap effects, those are real hand clapping in the bridge. I can't imagine how much time and energy was put into every second of this music. As a little 7 year old kid, I had the picture album and played it continually on my turn table.

[@valeriekyriakopoulos1018]

​@@crashandburngaming5103I still have my Rockman!

[@placerpacklifeppl5842]

“You’ll forget about me after I’ve been gone “…clearly, the world has not, and should never, forget his amazing talent.

[@andybittner3834]

😢

[@anicolau]

@@andybittner3834 Brad will always be missed

[@fk6823]

He was and will always be a Icon

[@beadybaby]

RIP Brad. I still remember where I was when I heard he had died.

[@BWinced]

@@beadybaby same. In the car at a traffic stop, next to a Catholic school.

[@Cadinho93]

That transition from Foreplay to Long Time is one of the greatest transition in all of rock music. It's absolutely mind-blowing whether you're hearing it for the first time or the 100th time. Also, this entire album is pure gold and widely considered one of the best debut albums ever. You can take the debut part out and it's just one of the finest albums ever recorded from start to finish. Absolutely zero filler and every track stands on its own.

[@Ken5244]

I agree with most of what you said, but "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" is a "filler" song. Musically it isn't on the level of the rest of the songs, and the lyrics are stupid. "Let me take you home tonight, I'll show you sweet delight." Really? C'mon. Other than that song though, yes -- a brilliant album.

[@ZenyattaFan1]

@@Ken5244 That song was written by Brad. That's the only song on the album that wasn't written by Tom. Brad is an incredible singer but he's obviously not nearly as good of a songwriter as Tom.

[@bonesely9858]

Van Halen, Eruption to You Really Got Me.

[@rticblue2843]

And 1984, jump

[@vermontsownboy6957]

I'd enthusiastically agree with you except for "Let Me Take You Home Tonight." Feels like a silly song to take up B-side space. In fact "Let me take..." was the only song arranged, tracked, and recorded in studio out west. The rest of the album was essentially put together in Scholz' Watertown MA home basement, with the help of friend John Boylan...who's main task was to run interference with CBS recording execs. "Let Me Take...." was a decoy song to keep the CBS execs busy on the west coast while Scholz finished the album work in his Watertown basement. You have to admire Scholz' brilliance that underlay the ambition and commitment to this project.

[@shadowsbane877]

This will totally get buried, but that's ok. My name is Amanda. My father claimed when I was a little kid that he named me after that song. (In reality I'm a couple years older than the song) But all those years ago, he'd turn the volume way up in the car and open all the windows and serenade me during it. When he passed away a decade later, I can't tell you how many Boston songs I listening to. Every album was precious to me. Their work really is amazing!

[@olias056]

Hey, why let a few minor flaws ruin a great story!! it's great that your father had that story to tell and did his best to make you happy!

[@shadowsbane877]

@@olias056 oh absolutely! I enjoyed every time, and when I hear it on the radio I smile and sing along. I miss him something fierce.

[@terrywood8499]

There are songs that I like just because they are great and some because they remind me of people, places or events. My playlist has all of those songs on it and I have come to think of it as the sound track of my life. Boston is part of the sound track of your life and will serve to remind you of your dad and the good times you had!

[@RavenStorm702]

It became a very popular name after that song came out. Any girl with that name was either on cloud nine over it or it drove them nuts.

[@Ulfius1984]

You might not know this, but the song "Amanda" was actually "leaked" in 1984. I was a DJ for a college station when we received a copy of the "leaked" song, so if you were born in 1984 or after, your dad could be telling the truth.

[@rooster_cogburn1001]

As a kid, I remember seeing “No synthesizers or computers were used in the making of this album” printed on their LP sleeves.

[@midi510]

In 1976, I was a junior in high school and I spent over $3,000 on the best stereo system I could find. It cost more than my first three cars together. This album came out the day after my 17th birthday. It was one of the albums I'd use to show off the high fidelity of my new stereo. The purity and clarity of the music amazed everyone who listened. The impression still lingers over 45 years later.

[@scottbrandenburg5871]

I hear ya, I graduated in 77 smokin was our class song. My Father came back from Vietnam with the flagship sansui with 4 speakers. I can relate. We were undenighably blessed with the best of the best music ever......

[@grievouserror]

The production on this record was phenomenal and the original vinyl was mind-blowingly clean, especially by the standards of the day. We could crank it and there was none of the normal hiss you might expect; really noticeable on those quiet parts where the organ starts to come back in. Even when I got the CD version there wasn't nearly as much difference between the two as I'd come to expect. Quite literally a perfect album and it was a joy watching someone else discover it.

[@stanbaumgartner9823]

Thank You

[@UnlikelyToRemember]

we truly lived in the greatest time in rock & roll (I was a freshman). More than a Feeling first charted 18-Sep-1976 -- some of the other songs on the chart on that day: play that funky music lowdown devil woman you should be dancing say you love me don’t go breaking my heart still the one rock’n me magic man baby, i love your way don’t fear the reaper you are the woman the wreck of the edmund fitzgerald beth/detroit rock city fernando get up offa that thing love is alive get closer turn the beat around got to get you into my life the rubberband man last child do you feel like we do gimme your money please

[@krowe33]

I feel ya. This album should be used to judge the quality of any stereo system. I can't think of any other album back then that sounded as good as this one cranked up to 11 on a killer system.

[@NightmareTeeVee2]

Brad Delp is probably one of the most under appreciated & underrated singers in rock history. Absolute beautiful voice & it’s really unfortunate how everything unfolded later in life for him.

[@jamestaylor5995]

I came here to say the same thing.

[@dontmakemelaugh01]

I came to ask , what planet you two are from ?

[@goopah]

@@dontmakemelaugh01 Yeah, he was great, but hardly underrated or under-appreciated. The dude got and still gets tons of accolades. Back in the day, all my music friends knew who he was. And if you were to ask random folks today, I bet a good percentage have at least heard the name.

[@doctordetroit4339]

He was not underrated or underapprecaited.....BITD he was untouchable. Boston had the best selling first two albums of any band in history until GnR came along. But no one can sing like that forever. Perry is another example. Brad had demons and got himself into a pickle. And overreacted.

[@danielnordeen8410]

RIP Brad I miss your talent... So sad he had depression...

[@johnwilliams3075]

Tom Scholz, the driving force behind Boston, wrote the whole thing and recorded the keyboards, guitar, and bass. This was in addition to his technical contributions to the recordings themselves, and even his designing of new equipment and effects to be used in that process. A true genius!

[@doctordetroit4339]

Including his own studio. And the Rockman he made changed rock entirely in the 80s. Ask Def Leppard.

[@frmadeira]

Also detainer of a Masters in Mechanical Engineering by the MIT

[@JohnAlbertRigali]

Original drummer Jim Masdea claims that he helped Tom Scholz compose most (all?) of the debut album’s songs and did all of the original drumming, and that Mr. Scholz replaced Mr. Masdea’s drum tracks on all of those songs except “Rock and Roll Band” with redos by Mr. Masdea’s replacement John “Sib” Hashian. Although he hasn’t offered any proof of that, Mr. Masdea’s testimony is compelling and, I dare say, convincing.

[@bobbafett1849]

​@@JohnAlbertRigaliSib's son in law is The Rock

[@brianaviles3133]

The guitar solos on this song were played by Barry Goudreau, not Tom Scholz

[@liv2drum57]

I know that I'm an old timer but there is no new music that can touch this ! The musicality and creativity is phenomenal !! Layers of quality music upon layers of quality vocals all done by creative and talented musicians.

[@BuccWylde]

The second this album dropped it literally put every major music studio on notice. You had studio execs everywhere saying "who is this...and how did they get such quality mixing and dynamic sound production?" It became THE sound of summer 1976. The album was played a ton nationwide. Darn near every track became a radio hit and made them rock royalty overnight. It is considered one of, if not the greatest debut album in rock music history. Tom was a genius.

[@mbrown001]

In the early days, Tom would search for a studio to record in. He’d show up with all of his wow & flutter meters and other engineer gear and start testing the equipment at other studios. He was never satisfied with the quality of their equipment so instead built his own studio to his stringent specifications. A true golden ear.

[@jeffidyle4957]

Around here the classic rock stations still play all songs on the album pretty regularly. Something About You not as much, but I'm sure I've heard it at least once - and it's as solid as the rest.

[@markldavis1]

From what I remember is the album masterpiece was started in 1971 made over a 5 year period. Love this album

[@MissyM68]

I love it! Part of my youth. My high school sweetheart & I would listen to the album in 1985 sitting in my 1974 Camaro before school (Iron Maiden and Led Zeppelin were favs too). We were both musicians. He had a smooth bass voice and his primary instr 32:38 ument was bass guitar and loved Geddy Lee and Chris Squire (also guitar and piano) I played flute & piano. I sang alto in choir. 😊

[@joeyschwartz5150]

Second only to Van Halens debut effort.

[@cornbobrimlove7892]

In my opinion, This is one of the most ground breaking, iconic rock albums ever made in history. The melodies, the sound design, the unique style of playing of all the instrumentation, organ, bass playing, singing, uplifting iconic melodies..... on and on.... Just a once in a century type of masterpiece! Will stand the test of time because exceptional music is timeless!

[@emjem99]

Yep.

[@croycamaro]

LEGENDARY

[@michaelhiltz7846]

This album puts the cream in a Boston cream doughnut.

[@TheRealSlimLeif]

Agreed. And then you realize it's their debut ablum which makes it even more amazing

[@ernienolan7241]

Tom Scholz.....

[@HaloAmbienceAndMore]

I played this song at my high school graduation in 2014. Took me a whole year to get the keyboard part down. Those triplets at 183 BPM are nuts! No one from my class really got it but their parents loved it!

[@Phornax7]

Like a reverse Back to the Future

[@HaloAmbienceAndMore]

@Phornax7 haha that's hilarious "guess you guys aren't ready for that yet... but your parents are gonna love it"

[@konradkanuckle5920]

My sister gave this album to me when I was about eleven....In my twenties I realized why I was a metal head, I used to play the third time ( guitar ) when electric at the end at 45 RPM instead of 33!!!

[@konradkanuckle5920]

She also gave me, Alan Parsons, Sweet, Manfred Mann and Steve Miller....still all my favorites and Parsons is probably why RUSH IS my favorite band!!!

[@threalismaradona9899]

Awesome

[@capnron77]

If you're not already sufficiently in awe of Brad Delp's voice, check out Rick Beato's "What Makes This Song Great" on this or pretty much any Boston song he's analyzed. When he isolates the vocal tracks, those otherworldly harmonies go from jaw-dropping to utterly soul-changing. No mere mortal has ever cranked out the high notes as smoothly as he could...

[@theradzone934]

I’m telling ya, when that long organ note fades into the opening solo riff on Long Time, one of the best moments in all of rock and roll! To me, that’s the sound of the weekend starting.

[@firepraise510]

Amen, brother.

[@brianlamb7937]

And every guy i knew would immediately go into the air guitar,,,lol

[@TroyEskes]

Hell yeah 👍👍👍👍

[@michaelreyes8670]

I blast my stereo amp or any musical whenever i play this song.

[@tommccann9269]

That note is an octave above middle 'C' on a Hammond M3 organ played through a Leslie 147 speaker in chorale. It is indeed sublime. I learned to play that part and the 'C' is held through the entire chord progression until it resolves to C major at the end...with the bass pounding a low C...

[@Cacodemonia]

That whole album is completely flawless. No one makes records like that anymore. Tom Scholz is a pure genius. Sadly, Brad Delp took his own life in 2007. Easily one of the best voices in rock.

[@TimBennettRightRelationships]

Indeed. Flawless. Genius.

[@martyboy5602]

Heck, no one made records like that back in the day. Boston was on a different level.

[@Kylora2112]

This album was lightning in a bottle...Boston never really lived up to their debut on their follow-ups.

[@RGSpyder]

No one could live up to this album but Third Stage was an unbelievably good album and if that had been their debut album there wasn't an artist in 1986 that could live up to it. They also had great songs on Dont' Look Back and even one or two on Walk On and Corporate America although the whole albums where not great.@@Kylora2112

[@pkiser99]

Now, imagine it's 1977. You've just started college and you hear this song for the first time. It was life-altering.

[@Frobiwan1965]

I was just starting junior high and it was also life changing! Maybe more like, life EXPANDING

[@phil-nt4yz]

i was in high school ten years later and had same feeling.

[@byrnc927]

I was 19. It was the first Super crisp Dolby song I ever heard. Phenominal album pushing almost 50 years now. My favorite of all time.

[@Greenriver842]

Smokin' a little reefer with your buddies driving around listening these tunes.

[@byrnc927]

@@Greenriver842 Oh, this was the cruising around soundtrack in the summer of 76.

[@RonNg1]

I just love when Elizabeth nerds out. It gives me even more appreciation for this than I already have. I've seen this video about 10x and I still get joy out of each time seeing it.

[@andrewjohns2323]

she made me hear things in his voice I had never noticed... JUST by getting excited and pointing things out... so great...

[@johnosborne3187]

Such an amazing story. Tom, an MIT grad, built the equipment he uses. He played guitars, bass, and keyboards. The first album was charting when Tom's boss at Polaroid told him he should quit and devote all of his time to his music.

[@MR-backup]

Crazy how bands back then, were made up of members that could also be running multi billion dollar companies or creating the next space travel ship.

[@noahbarkelew6093]

​@@MR-backupHuh?

[@tuby1502]

He had also something to do with one of the polaroidcameras that came out in the late seventies.

[@Annastasia666]

The ABSOLUTE joy Elizabeth gets from this song is so damn cute! It's like Christmas morning for her every single reaction vid she does. Love it to death!

[@BC-ui9yt]

I don't know about music, but I fall more in love with Elizabeth every day!

[@keithcraw4859]

Definitely best reaction videos out there !

[@vinsgraphics]

She brings out little snippets that make you appreciate the song in different ways. You listen for these nuances when you play it again and again. Makes you love this even more than before.

[@Annastasia666]

​@@vinsgraphics BINGO! You just articulated what I have always thought but couldn't put it into words. She really does. I have heard this song like a bajillion times it seems, but her explanations and tid bits are so helpful and, like you said, make one love the song even more. LMFAO! She keeps talking about subdivisions and I'm like why is she talking about housing?? LOLOL!

[@MrDalebenberger]

Elizabeth Zharoff is definitely the cutest and happiest and most appreciative music reactionist on KZbin. She makes great music better!

[@twisted2291]

For a debut album for any band. This one is one of the rarest ones ever, cause there is not a bad song on the whole thing. Start to finish. This album is 100% rocking.

[@j_freed]

Of course Appetite for Destruction is better for those exact criteria. I like Boston, but Tom Schultz has a very classical approach to how he crafts things together. It's very proper. GNR is real rock 'n' roll to me, just my take on this.

[@ofsinope]

You don't close your eyes and drift away to Appetite for Destruction. Not only does Boston have no low points, it has the vibe of floating on a cloud.

[@Mr.Ekshin]

I'm so glad that Liz finally started doing movie reactions a few months ago. Star Wars should be a lot of fun!

[@BarryChapman]

@@j_freedpoor take

[@cgmxtreme70]

This album was absolute perfection and I never get tired of it. However, to see someone with such technical knowledge and talent get so excited and show such joy listening to it, actually brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. Music moves the soul like nothing else !!

[@jamesdavison2927]

It is one of the few albums I could listen to every day and never get tired of it

[@johnburkhart4753]

Only three musicians in the studio. Brad on all vocals, the drummer (different than their touring drummer), and Tom playing EVERYTHING else. And all recorded in a basement room the size of my kitchen. It’s truly mind blowing.

[@resenborough]

the drummer was Sib Hashian

[@sf98]

@@resenborough Sib was the touring drummer, the studio drummer was Jim Masdea.

[@resenborough]

@@sf98 actually Jim Masdea was the band's original drummer but for some reason the record company demanded that he be replaced for the recording sessions. Sib was hired and was the drummer for the first 2 albums and early sessions of Third Stage before being replaced with Masdea.

[@blushrts]

This album still sounds AMAZING. Done in a basement in 1975

[@TheBentox]

@@resenborough Although Jim's drums *are* on "Rock & Roll Band", but that's the only track he's on.

[@jcparker500]

I was a teenager when this came out, and all of our minds (mine and my friends) were blown. And it still holds up to this day.

[@joephysics5469]

It was the golden era of music. Technology in instrumentation/recording/production that required 100 percent human input.

[@MrDoneboy]

You and me both, I was 15 then!

[@jimrunsfar]

Same

[@spaceody2000]

I was 14 years old and living in a small town in Northwestern Germany. A whole new world lit up.

[@digibirder]

Elizabeth's joy is infectious! That is why she's the best!

[@IansDrumsandBass]

She deff had a lot of fun doing this one! 😊👍🏻

[@DontLikeUsername]

This is without question my most favorite classic rock song. Period. It's impossible for me not to crank my radio up to 11 when this comes on and my family just knows to keep quiet (unless they're gonna sing along) and let the song play. The album is truly a work of art, but this song stands out for me. Thank you!

[@JimToscano]

I get so emotional when I see someone enjoying and “nerding out” to a band that I love so much. This has such a deep connection to my childhood and one of the reasons I became a musician. This record is such a work of art. Tom Scholz playing, engineering production and Brad Delps voice get me on every song….

[@greg2976]

She's the perfect "Nerd"( in a good way) to nerd out with this Classic!

[@boblazarjr5559]

I’ve read that Brad had a four to five octave range not counting his falsetto, and one musician stated that Brad could sing higher without going into falsetto than any other tenor he’d ever heard. Just an incredible voice! Listening to Brad’s isolated vocals on songs such as “More Than A Feeling” gives me chills.

[@joepharmasst]

Must be nice to actually have talent in this world

[@jorgemolne4973]

Brad was amazing; especially for the day! 6 octave range with power and control, really surprised Daniel Heiman doesn’t get more recognition asa modern voice master

[@yogibarista2818]

Someone told me that Brad could hit notes only dogs could hear ;-)

[@mikebozik]

I had this thought today, does Brad have a whistle voice? I suspect some of the ultra-high harmonies may have been played on guitar, but I have no evidence of it. I would greatly appreciate anyone who can enlighten me. 😊

[@joepharmasst]

@@mikebozik If you hear them break the track down he in the guitar are in harmony sometimes

[@metalmark1214]

Glad you are returning to Boston. Foreplay is usually played together with Long Time. It acts as an intro to Long Time. Foreplay was the first song Tom Scholz ever recorded, and he did this on a two-track machine in his basement. Scholz also stated that it was the first piece of music he ever wrote, and that he wrote it as far back as 1969. This entire debut album of Boston was great and was one of the most successful debut albums in rock history with over 17 million copies sold.

[@BrandonWestfall]

One could say...it's Foreplay for the the song.

[@Daniel-bm4cv]

“The Man I’ll Never Be”……BOSTON I think you’ll cry tears of joy. One of the greatest ballads I’ve ever heard. I’m a child of the seventies and teen in the eighties. My generation had our choices of so many powerful and deeply thoughtful song writers and authentic artists. No auto tune was ever needed, unless it was Madonna recording .

[@danieladrianleone3527]

Boston is amazing. A true exponent of the spirit of those years. Kansas is another band with the same concept. And without a shadow of a doubt, "Carry On My Wayward" is the emblematic song of that spirit that can only be described as magical: excellent melodies, virtuoso instrumentation, dizzying rhythm, choruses, climates, which transport you to history so you can live it" in situ".

[@midi510]

As much as I like "Leftoverture", "Song for America" spent more time in my car's 8-track back in the seventies. "Free for All" was another album that was played daily at least once.

[@danieladrianleone3527]

@@midi510 I also like them a lot. My favorite Kansas album, over the years, remains "Masque." It's hard to pick a song or two, but I think the "The Pinnacle"/ "Misteries and Mayhem" that couple is simply unbeatable. And like you, I listen to it at least once a week. In fact, every now and then I wake up humming those magical and powerful melodies.

[@bixby9797]

That one immediately sprang to mind.

[@briankrames1883]

Daniel, yep, a lot of great American bands came out in the late 70's/early 80's after the British heavyweights came across the pond about 10 to 15 years ago! We have Boston, Kansas, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Chicago, Journey, ELO, etc. with a lot of beautiful harmonies and great lead singers, especially Dennis de Young, classically trained! All of these are really good bands; I have seen Boston, Styx, and REO Speedwagon in concert and all 3 were phenomenal!

[@patrickdare5356]

@@briankrames1883 ELO was Briitish, but they definitely fit in with the style you are referencing.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

This entire album blew our minds in 1976 when it came out. Made my senior year of high school that much better!

[@uncnorseman2670]

I heard this for the first time in my Drill Instructor's office in Boot Camp while he was lecturing me about something and got in a LOT of trouble for the distraction it caused...

[@larryC1070]

High school senior here as well in 76. This album dropped on the airwaves like an F4 tornado. Brilliant! 1976 may have been the best year EVER for rock music! Perfect life timing for us!

[@craigcraigster4999]

And my junior year too. 😎 Will never forget the first time I heard "Smokin'" and Tom's Hammond solo. 🔥🔥🔥

[@marcusd1796]

Same. Senior year. Wasn't a problem at the time, but cruisin' around listening to it on 8 track wasn't optimal. Track changes mid song. Like record skips ... you anticipated the hiccups when hearing it on the radio.

[@PirateAndArmadaCo]

Born in the 90s, I thank my father for getting me started in music with this album and Jimmy Buffett as a kid. This song specifically is still one of my favorite electric to acoustic switch songs.

[@shawnbrennan2583]

Brad Delp was a legendary vocalist and very influential in rock music, and Tom Scholz, with a Masters in Engineering from MIT and a passion for music. To put it simply, if Tom wanted a sound and nobody knew how to make it, He'd just invent it. This band was so amazing, on the radio and in concert, there was no choice but to name a city after them.

[@72dodge340]

haha, well played my man!

[@ericarnaud7983]

I saw Boston 3 times in concert. I was so lucky to have been young enough and old enough to not only enjoy, but experience the greatest bands of the greatest decade for music.

[@stephenacrey4079]

Amen brothers, me too. Saw them in dallas 1980 summer blowout. Great memories.

[@ericarnaud7983]

@@stephenacrey4079 I was there too.

[@scottlurken9667]

Always amazes me how much more fun it is to listen to the “classics” when Elizabeth is narrating 🎉❤

[@lananiella]

Absolutely. I wonder in this case though with the title, is she giving a little passive aggressive subtle message to her husband when she says "Why is Foreplay so short?".

[@odurandina]

Always amazes me how many times she stops the music to talk. "Ok, i'm moving on........." NOPE you're sure not.

[@lananiella]

@@odurandina Also amazing that you stick around anyways, apparently. There's lots of other reaction channels that may suit you better. May you find happiness there that eluded you here.

[@SnakePit6517]

Much like Sgt. Pepper’s, Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Van Halen 1, 2112, A Farewell to Kings, Hemispheres, A Night at the Opera, Thriller, all the Led Zeppelin albums, and the 5 original Metallica albums, I will almost always find time to go back to Boston’s debut album. If you haven’t listened to this album from start to finish, if you have the time, I strongly recommend it. Boston’s debut is a testament to skilled musicianship, superb songwriting, and groundbreaking yet still massive production that helped define 80s rock and metal. And the fact that it was almost entirely done by Tom Scholz in his basement is truly inspiring.

[@jhouck1969]

If I had to add one more album to that list it would no doubt be Back in Black - to me the epitome of ass-kicking hard rock, and even more amazing with Brian Johnson having to fill the huge hole left by Bon Scott's passing.

[@pucknuts33]

R.I.P Bradley Delp. He was just as amazing live.... saw them way back when..... That first album is a masterpiece

[@nickwilburn3166]

He sounded the same Live as he did in the studio... It was incredible... even 20 years later into the 90's, his voice never changed

[@VanD-Dam]

You are truly lucky to have seen them live. I regret that I never did, too young, and now I find there are very few live video recordings of the band.

[@jimmythebold589]

brad makes me so angry! that voice. no fair! rip!

[@jimmythebold589]

yup, he must've been diligent with his warmups, perhaps he didn't drink and smoke?? @@nickwilburn3166

[@JK-js2td]

​@@VanD-Dami was too young in the 70s to catch Boston...but i was at their Third Stage tour. I had nosebleed seats...but Brad and the band sounded awesome

[@EricSchenkelberg]

this piece is life changing. much like Aja, it transcends pop music in its complexity yet still retains that groove. rarified air. RIP Brad. Best voice in rock n roll. ever.

[@jackloomis1130]

You can't do an analysis of Boston and NOT do More Than a Feeling. Such an absolute classic, like the rest of this album!

[@oyesuken]

She thought Brad hit his apex high on this song, can't wait for her reaction to the "there it is...wait, WHAT...one more step?!!"

[@CantankerousDave]

She already covered it a couple years ago.

[@mikelair9144]

Suuuurrreeee can. 😂

[@douglasholdenjr.45]

Brad Delp was such a phenomenal vocalist!!! So sad that he committed suicide. 😢 Tom Sholtz, Boston's guitarist, songwriter and mastermind, is a genius!!! Very underrated!!!!

[@wrongbeach35]

One of the greatest albums ever written, recorded, and especially produced. Tom Scholz absolute genius. The story behind it’s recording is the stuff of legend. Literally had to invent stuff to get the sounds he heard in his head like that “top secret space pedal”.

[@michaeldezego340]

Besides writing all the songs and playing nearly all the instruments, Tom Scholz, an MIT graduate, designed the effects used on the recordings. Pure genius!

[@jeffweese4551]

Well -- I rarely ever comment, but this is one of my favourite songs and, to me, has a much deeper meaning and resonance. The "Foreplay" portion symbolizes the anticipation or build-up setting the emotional stage for what follows, much like the anticipation that one feels before a significant shift in circumstances. "Long Time," on the other hand, dives into nostalgia and reflection. The lyrics hint at the passage of time and the recognition that things once familiar are now distant or lost. To me, this relates to a multitude of experiences such as lost love, missed opportunities, or the change of one's surroundings. It offers a poignant reminder that time is a constant force, changing our circumstances whether we are prepared or not. Philosophically, the song underscores the temporal nature of existence. It prompts listeners to consider the passage of time as both a creative and destructive force, emphasising that each moment is an irrevocable step in a longer journey. This dual nature of time serves as a potent reminder to be mindful of the present moment while also contemplating the broader arc of one's life. In short, the song serves as a complex musical allegory for life - urging you to navigate its ups and downs with both resilience and reflection.

[@stephanhamilton2083]

About the best rock song ever written😊👍👍😊

[@ReconScoutMedic]

Omg …. I hope it’s the original recording 😊 … I understand why you listen to live performances but the live Guns and Roses release yesterday deflated me 😂

[@MrJctii916]

... And recorded in a basement

[@mikeburger5761]

...and not the only "best rocksong ever written" from Boston! ☝️

[@mcflu]

It's on the top end of my list for sure

[@kenkonwick6660]

One of tge better ones yes, but, to quote Larry David, Curb your Enthusiasm. Not even close to top 100

[@geoffreyweeks1697]

One of the best albums ever! You mentioned "Subdivisions" early on during Foreplay. Which got me thinking about Rush, my favorite band. They had a great song called "Subdivisions." Six and a hlaf minutes of greatness! Give it a listen! 👍

[@misterwirez7731]

Be cool or be cast out...

[@maface6712]

I thought of the same song lol

[@shmerelize]

Such a relevant song for the times! (Subdivisions)

[@cruesome2]

Can you imagine that Tom shopped this album, basically in the state that you're hearing it, for years and almost every record label turned him away? It boggles my mind that they couldn't immediately hear how timeless and nearly perfect this album is.

[@rigel2112]

I think I feel his pain. I have 20 years experience and am having trouble finding a job because I interview so poorly.

[@neechee5150]

@cruesome2 That is urban legend and not supported by the facts. There are some facts that Tom keeps leaving out of the narrative. First the reason why Toms demos were not getting any traction was because he was sending his demo tapes "in cold". That is simply not how it was done in the record business at that time. At that time the bands that were getting signed had radio stations playing their songs before the demos were submitted and the bands had insiders who would promote the project and the ratio play before the demos were brought in to the labels by insiders/ promoters who had already been brought on board by the band. Also there is not one track from the demo that made it to the record. The record was made up of newly recorded tracks that were solely intended for the record. Given the fact that all of Brads vocals were recorded by Boylan at Capital Studios Studio C before the record was mixed, and given the fact that the song Let Me Take You Home which was written by Brad was recorded at The Record Plant LA by the band as pictured on the back of the record before the record was finished and released there is no way that what you claim is true.

[@timothyblazer1749]

I witnessed something like this. I was second engineer on a combo project, combining house and rock. A remake of Chain of Fools. In the end it was iconically beautiful, and possibly timeless. The label nixed it. Said it was "too produced" and they wanted "just a dirty house version". Everybody at the studio was depressed for weeks after that. Something broke too... that artist never really was able to make it cross chart like he wanted to. The producer quit music after that. Why? Because not only did they say they wanted a different version, they forbid ANY release of that single. Which tells you all you need to know.

[@grenner23]

Brad Delp did ALL of the vocals on this album. Backing, harmonies, lead. Truly a gifted vocalist. As one commenter stated, very sad how life unfolded for him.

[@TheAcgtrs]

17+ million copies sold of Boston’s debut album…, you’re not alone in wanting to hear Brad Delp’s voice again, and again. Thank you for revisiting Boston.

[@jerrytaylor4078]

Listening to Brad sing Beatles songs is interesting. He sounded eerily like Paul McCartney.

[@kevinburke5463]

I LOVE watching you get so tickled and excited on the various parts of this song! It’s like watching a kid on Christmas opening individual presents and thoroughly enjoying each and every one! I get so caught up in the fun energy you’re exuding. So much so that I feel I’m sitting on the floor next to you amidst piles of gift wrapping and just excitedly waiting for you to open and discover the next gift!! Your reactions are cute and wonderful! This, combined with the effortless expression of your professional knowledge, makes your reactions a pleasure to watch each and every time. Thanks for making this old man feel like he did on the many Christmas mornings of his childhood!!

[@joho0]

Brad Delp, the lead singer of Boston, took his own life in 2007. Imagining how much pain he must have been in and knowing how much joy he brought to countless people, left me wondering about the meaning of life and the whole point of existence. It triggered my own little existential crisis and left me wondering what real happiness even looks like.

[@T-bone1950]

I know that feeling well. Not fun.

[@williamgabrielski8740]

It’s tough facing things like that. It’s even tougher trying to do it alone. Reach out to the people who care about you.

[@hikerdan]

I’m thinking real happiness looks like Elizabeth.

[@philsharron1184]

A friend of mine went to see Journey at Cobo hall in Detroit. When he got there, on the billboard, a band he had never heard of Boston was backing Journey up. Everyone at first was bummed that this band was backing them up. on the stage was a circular curtain that covered a corner of the stage. Boston started with this song and as the curtain rose Tom was playing a church organ with a guitar on his back. By the end of this intro everyone was loving them.

[@keithbrown7685]

I wonder if that "church organ" sound came from a Hammund organ, maybe a B3 or C3, not sure though.

[@philsharron1184]

It was a real church organ with the big pipes

[@keithbrown7685]

@@philsharron1184 It speaks large. It speaks Bach.

[@schumi9xwdc]

Boston came before Journey, how is it possible to know Journey but not Boston?

[@mrz80]

@@schumi9xwdc Journey was formed in 1973 and released their first album in 1975. Boston was formed and that first album came out in 1976.

[@tylerbuckner3750]

All the “top-secret effects” units were engineered and built by Tom, himself. This dude is by far one of the top level prodigies in music history.

[@timmooney7528]

One of his early effects was a stereo receiver he modified. In the late 80's Scholz R&D produced the Rockman, a Walkman-sized device that provided that big amp sound through a set of headphones. Some guitarists would drive larger amplifiers with the device.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

He had a mechanical pedal hookup on an Echoplex so he could change the delay time on the fly.

[@saldivarosvaldo1627]

Mastermind Tom, MIT genius and Brad, together was the driving force for this masterpiece.

[@halhortonsworld5870]

The way you are smiling and laughing is the effect Boston music has on most everyone. Their music is just 'fun'. Their song 'Hitch A Ride' has what is considered by many guitarists to be the best guitar solo ever written. Boston is basically the template for all modern rock music. Tom Scholz is a genius.

[@jimsackmanbusinesscoaching1344]

It always make me think of summers in the late 70s and early 80s. Being out with friends and just having fun. Music to drive in a convertible with the top down with.

[@roguecheddar]

What's amazing to me on this song, is that you can hear everything! Every instrument, vocal, harmony, is in a place where you can hear it all, with no one piece completely drowning out another. Tom Scholls' ears and attention to detail is fantastic! Even when the guitars are going off at the end you can still pick out every nuance of the harmonies and lead vocals. This album is a sonic masterpiece, especially for it's analog time. Nowadays they autotune the shit out of everything and still can't come close to this level of perfection.

[@jonathanroberts8981]

There’s a video around in which they visit the house where the album was recorded. The present-day owner had no idea.

[@neechee5150]

@roguecheddar6252 You do know that this record was mixed at Westlake Studios on their new at the time API console, and that this record was mixed by producer John Boylan, engineer Warren Dewey and Tom??

[@roguecheddar]

@@neechee5150 I do know that Tom's original tapes were practically good to go as is. Either way, all the songs were stellar.

[@neechee5150]

@@roguecheddar said, " I do know that Tom's original tapes were practically good to go as is". Pt. 1 How do you "know" this personally? Did you listen to Toms "original tapes" in a major studio with the mixing capability, a world renowned mixing room and the very high end studio monitors that were on par with the gear used at Westlake Studio where this record as mixed? I also submit that if you are not a world class studio audio engineer or a world class producer who specialized in analog recordings who actually heard the "original tapes, you personally do not know that those "original tapes" were "good to go". Second when you say "original tapes" are you referring to Toms demo tape that he submitted to Epic and to producer John Boylan? If so, you should know that when interviewed by people who really know the art of analog recording that existed at the time this record was made, Tom admitted to the fact that not one track from the demo made it to the record. He could not BS these people because they could have called him out for lying. If you are referring to the demo tape tracks that were submitted to Epic and Boylan you would know that the difference in the level of production on the tracks that were used on the record is vastly different and this is very clearly noticed when it comes to Brads vocals. When Boylan signed on to produce the debut Boston record, Bolyan wanted to make sure that Brads amazing once in a generation vocals were recorded and engineered in a manner that was worthy of Brads talent. All of Brads vocals were recorded by producer John Boylan at Capital Studios Studio C using their Quad Eight Console their high end mic preamps and high end eq's, compressors and Neuman U 87 solid state mic. Toms home studio could NOT equal that level of production and quality of the recording it self In addition IF you have actually heard the demo tape tracks that were submitted to Boylan and Epic you would know that the arrangements were tweaked a bit and this is obvious in the harmonies and melodies for Brads vocals. You would also know that the production level on those demo tape tracks is no where near that we hear on the record.

[@neechee5150]

@@roguecheddar Pt 2 Then there is the fact that Boylan made Tom re-record all of the drum tracks on the record because they were not on par with what would be considered professionally recorded tracks. Boylan also had Tom re-record some of the acoustic instrument tracks as well only after Boylan hired LA engineer Paul Grupp to go to Toms studio to teach him how to record drums and acoustic instruments and mic technique. Then there is the production work that Boylan had to do on Toms drum tracks before the record could be mixed. Boylan had to use noise gates on the drum tracks in order to give the music a back beat and to have some clarity and punch in the snare drum sound. Boylan is on record explaining this in detail. Boylan pushed Tom to improve and to make this record what is is today. Boylan's contributions can not be overlooked or minimized.

[@johnfeery2240]

Boston was my first concert - blew my tiny 14 year old mind - that organ sound was just immense! The first all stops out chord blew the whole audience back a foot en masse 😮 Glad to hear that Elizabeth recognised the genius of Tom Scholtz's engineering and production as well as Brad's voice 👍

[@TheUrthlight]

I was there also and at 14. Also, mind blown. It was my first concert as well

[@Bsquared1972]

Me too! I saw them open for REO Speedwagon.

[@briankrames1883]

@@Bsquared1972 Yes, I remember that concert! Both bands sounded really, really good!

[@svede12]

Brad had one of the most incredible voices in rock. His range was impressive

[@Chucksguitargeekery]

There’s a local non-profit museum that puts on big concerts, and you can volunteer to be on the stage crew to see the concert for free. Boston was there like 10 or so years ago and I volunteered. After soundcheck, Tom Sholz was warming up on the Hammond organ and just blazing through “Foreplay” at double speed. Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched with jaws dropped, he really doesn’t get enough credit for his organ work.

[@kevinhuether9038]

That's what she said

[@kuminiac]

It is a comfort to see someone who takes so much joy in music.

[@keithbrown7685]

and at the same time, takes it seriously. I appreciate both those things.

[@levideverney9248]

This lady loves doing this. She sure knows about music. My favorite band of all time.

[@jeffgerber9309]

This is one of those LP's that was a truly magical point in rock music history. They were even able to replicate the sound and energy live on stage.

[@cjwatson1972]

The industry was going disco. Most of the suits didn't want to sign a basic Rock band at the time. Promoters Paul Ahern and Charlie McKenzie disagreed and pushed hard to get Epic to sign them. Ahern was the person referenced in "Rock and Roll Band": Playin' for a week in Rhode Island, Man came to the stage one night, Smoked a big cigar and drove a Cadillac car, And said "Boys, I think this band's outta sight."

[@lambo2655]

Another great analysis. I love how you're beaming over the songs I grew up with. Superb album from start to finish. Not a mediocre song to be found which is pretty rare. Like many have commented you really need to listen to it's entirety in one sitting. I just turned 59 and I never get tired of listening to these timeless songs from these legendary bands.

[@bradbeam3767]

Easily in the top 3 greatest debut albums of all time. Each and every song on it is a masterpiece. There is not a bad song on it..and they are all very special within themselves. If there is such a thing as a perfect album, this is it. ✌️💗

[@ap-eo3do]

You, sir, are not wrong!

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

Out of curiosity, what are the other two?

[@bradbeam3767]

@AldousHuxleysCat In my not always so humble opinion,

[@AldousHuxleysCat]

@@bradbeam3767 I think you may have possibly named more than two. Honestly I've never really given a lot of thought to greatest debut album. It's interesting you chose The cars first album, a friend and I were talking about that album the other day and he said to me he had listened to it for the first time in a long time and realized the whole album is nothing but one gigantic hit. I don't disagree with any of your choices, so I will just toss in one from the '90s that opened up a new area of music for me in worldbeat : Rusted Root When I Woke --- that led me down some pretty crazy paths.

[@bradbeam3767]

@AldousHuxleysCat Interesting. I haven't listened to Rusted Root since the 90's, and perhaps per our discussion I may take a listen to it from front to back and go down memory lane. And yes, my apologies, I did list more than 2 alternatives because it's such a hard and both 'subjective and objective' question that really doesn't have a definitive answer...other than perhaps album sales. But for me, that's not what I base my decision or opinion on. Say for example Boston's debut. That to me, is 'steadfast'..the others I've mentioned could easily be swapped out amongst themselves but Boston's debut ( to me) is one of the best ever. And album sales for it, while very good for its time wouldn't come close to any of the current trendy stuff out today. It also didn't start or create any new trend or cultural phenomenon, other than perhaps how it was recorded? Other than that, I based my opinion of that strictly on the songs and the quality of each and every one of them. It's a perfect example of 'the music doing the talking'. Not to sound cliche' but,..all killer, no filler. I actually would throw Black Sabbaths debut in there too, it had hits (or standout songs) and the rest were solid, but in that case, like Zeppelin, Hendrix , The Doors and of course The Beatles ..they started something new along with their debut. So while in those instances, perhaps not every song was a 'banger', they, with their debut, which is a bands introduction to the world created something that eventually left an indelible footprint on music and pop-culture. Some bands might have become very successful and left a huge footprint but it didn't happen with their debut...it took time whereas , others didn't. The Cars are interesting, because I'm a very big fan of their first 2 albums. Truly groundbreaking stuff and waaaay ahead of their time. They ushered in a whole new sound and were basically America's answer to British 'New Wave'...before 'new wave' was 'new wave' if you know what I'm saying. I think their are a few songs on it that I wish would have been exchanged with a song or two from their Candy-O release which would have made their debut more/near perfect ,but all in all, it is a spectacular debute that, again, was a game changer in music and pop culture...even if the album sales by today's standards don't or wouldn't reflect that. Anyhoo', cheer's, I enjoy a good open, civil conversation about music and learning other people's points of view. I also dig your 'screen-name'...pretty cool. I wish I had thought of that. Yes, I think because there are so many good 'groundbreaking' debut albums perhaps a top 10 list would be more appropriate as to not exclude those that deserve a place in such an iconic class... like I said, I think Black Sabbath deserves to be on there as well... Years ago ago a friend and I were talking about this and how hard it I'd because of the extra criteria that should be considered in order to make the cut. I'm a pretty big Stone Temple Pulots fan and think their debut is pretty spectacular as well and also fits much of the extra outside forces that I think make a debut album...one of the best ever. Thanks again for the convo', I always welcome good, friendly, open and non judgmental interactions via chats... something I feel has gotten terribly lost along the way in this new age of 'social media'.. So ...again.. Cheers! And rock-on my friend...✌️🤘👌🙂

[@js6729]

That "Top secret space effect" is called the Tom Scholz Hyperspace pedal, there's only 2 in existence but what it is is he modified an old echoplex (tube tape echo/delay) to where he controls the delay time and repeat rate with a dual axis expression pedal (so he can control both parameters simultaneously with one pedal)

[@martinedwards2004]

With giant hits like Foreplay/LongTime and More Than A Feeling getting all the attention, I feel that Smoke’n never gets the love or attention it deserves. The middle solo section is a Schultz masterpiece of his classical training. It contributed to me exploring classical music in university and falling in love with it.

[@13_13k]

I agree 100%. Smoken' is such a great song. It does get less attention than it should.

[@Ashley-jp4nn]

Best song about weed ever.

[@insanecomicdude]

South Park used it in an episode where Kyle's dad got into internet trolling and it was absolutely perfect.

[@mykhedelic6471]

The first time I heard this song pair (that I can recall) I was in maybe 4th grade and I had this clock radio that would wake me up at 645am when it was still dark to get ready for school. The DJ (what're those) must've cued it up right at 645 because the clock went right off as Foreplay shimmered into being. I woke up to this sonic, celestial headtrip explosion and I had no idea what was going on or where I was-- I just launched into awesomeness and journeyed to a better rockin' place. What a way to emerge from dream space and into an amazing new world. I was definitely ready to get to school and carpe that diem. A memory that will trigger even when I'm old and senile. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@mustseevideos7777]

That's a great story! Loving it!

[@rayvanhorn1534]

Without much debate, the greatest debut rock album ever. Every single is absolutely fantastic. Elizabeth, you are just a treasure. Your beautiful way of taking a song, dissecting it & breathing freshness into it with your analysis is amazing. I’ve heard this song countless times & you break down the musicality & vocals in such a way it’s almost like really “hearing it” for the first time. Thank you for bringing us more classic rock…more Boston. 😊

[@0okamino]

It’s also among the not just most, but _utmost_ solid albums, regardless of whether we’re talking debut or otherwise.

[@danrobertson7095]

In second place is probably Stone Roses first album. Different, but almost as important to it's generation of musicians.

[@gordonevans3764]

Van Halen's first album as well was all 🔥.

[@Tom-ok2rh]

@@gordonevans3764if you hadn’t said it I was definitely going to say it too..both of these debut albums were wonderfully engineered 👍👍

[@bobcannell9007]

And 2 years later The Cars did it again.

[@gregusmc2868]

My very first rock concert. 15 years old, Boston played Ohio State’s St. John’s Arena on homecoming. Had OSU pennants hanging off their instruments. I still have the school newspaper-The Lantern’s-review. “Little Band from Boston Blows Roof off St. John’s!” Mom and dad were outraged I paid 6.50 for a ticket. 😂❤

[@charlesdenninger6818]

My dad played this record for me when I was about 10 or 12 in the late 80’s. It was one of the first time I can recall getting goosebumps and the hair on the back of my neck standing up hearing a song. The dynamics, the harmonies, the guitar and organ……and then he told me it was recorded in his basement. Reminds me of my late dad and his instruments in our basement. Great reaction. I wish I could hear this for the first time again!

[@homeslice1958]

6 months ago @Cadinho93 wrote: "That transition from Foreplay to Long Time is one of the greatest transition in all of rock music. It's absolutely mind-blowing whether you're hearing it for the first time or the 100th time." I could not agree more, and here's a pro tip for you all... The next time you take a plane trip, get a window seat, wear over-the-ear noise-cancelling headphones, and start "Foreplay" when your plane is taxiing out to the runway. You may have to stop and restart 'Foreplay', but time it so that when the transition from 'Foreplay' to 'Long Time' happens (about 2:25) you're hurtling down the runway, just about when your wheels leave the ground. I've done it dozens of times, and I get chills most of the time. It's a blast! Whenever I hear "Long Time", in my mind I can see the view out the airplane window of so many cities falling away below me. You can thank me later!

[@elderberry-hamster]

When you think of 70s music and what made it so damn great, Boston's first two albums are top shelf. This little band headed by the technical genius of Tom and jawdropping talents of Brad's singing, is an example of pushing the evolution of rock music to new heights! Love it!!

[@radone5896]

It's more about Tom's relationship to music and his struggle to make it in the music biz, letting go then continuously returning to his craft. He wrote the music, played the instruments (except for drums). He even created his own guitar effects, being an electrical engineer. Hard to fathom that many music producers passed on this album. This man is pure genius.

[@davestang5454]

Tom Scholz played drums on some of the tracks as well. He even sings backing vocals on some BOSTON songs.

[@RichardChappell1]

The last verse really clears it up: "There's a long road, I've gotta stay in time with, yeah I've got to keep on chasin' that dream Though I may never find it I'm always just behind it The dream is being a musician. As a practicing artist, you chase the dream, and it seems you can't quite catch up.

[@neechee5150]

@@davestang5454 Tom does not play a single drum track on the first three records and those records are all that much better for that fact. Tom did not sing a single back up vocal on the first two records. All vocals on the first two records are 100% Brad. Tom could not sing like that even on the third cold day in hell and he knows this.

[@neechee5150]

@radone5896 Scholz's degrees from MIT are in mechanical engineering and Tom worked as a design engineer at Polaroid. Tom did not play all of the non drum instrument tracks on this record. I don't know how or why this urban legend myth continues. The song Let Me Take You Home which was written by Brad was recorded by the band as pictured on the back of the record at The Record Plant LA. In legal documents Tom was forced to admit under oath that Barry does in fact play guitar on Foreplay, Long Time and Let Me Take You Home. Tom was also forced to admit that Fran plays bass on Foreplay and Let Me Take You Home. Tom has also admitted that Brad plays 12 string acoustic guitar on Let Me Take You Home. Tom has not been transparent and upfront about why it took so long for him to get a record deal. At the time Tom was just sending in the demo tapes "cold". This is not how things were done in that era. The bands/artists that got signed had already been getting radio air play and so there was a demand for the music before the band was even signed. Also back then artists who got signed had promoters and people with connections bring the demo to the execs. Tom did none of this, but as soon as he got someone with inside connections to pay attention to the record, Tom and Brad got a record deal pretty quickly

[@radone5896]

Thanks for that, I used his Rockman overdrive and effects which were groundbreaking, even Jeff Beck ordered one, so I just assumed he was an electrical engineer because of that@@neechee5150

[@joelhammond4162]

This debut album from 1976 is the one of the greatest rock albums ever and certainly the best debut album ever! There is not a bad song to be found. You can put this on and just let it play beginning to end. This is the perfect sunny summer day cruising with the top down music! Thanks for this. Great reaction and breakdown!

[@Raczoon]

Delp was such an amazing vocalist that it's easy to overlook the incredible sound engineering provided by Tom Scholz. Rick Beato did a video where he picks apart this song combo, electronically isolating individual instruments to give more insight of what all is going on in the song, so much so that even you might hear a few things you didn't notice. It's titled "Is this BOSTON's Greatest Song?" The answer is Yes, BTW. And I think it might also have one of the greatest intros in ALL music history.

[@zippitydoodah5693]

What a tantalizing take on the track, Elizabeth! This is one of your videos I watched twice in a row. You missed nothing. It was an intense pleasure to listen to this classic track with you. I so often get frustrated at what some people's analyses miss. Nothing escaped you and watching you geek out on the perfection of this wonderful creation makes me feel normal for geeking out on it my whole life. Bless you and yours.

[@PFreet]

The vision you talked about was just Tom Scholz doing the entire thing in his basement. Brad overdubbed all of the vocals and harmonies later...pure genius. It is little wonder why it was one of the biggest selling rock albums in history. Every song on this album is spectacular...listen to them all.

[@grilledspaghetti]

I love the decay of the final huge chord in Foreplay, the reverb is like an instrument unto itself. It just sounds so huge, like being let go into space. Edit: Glad you felt the same.

[@williamadamsmusic3025]

It's funny to watch somebody listen to something I've been listening to for fifty years! I'm glad she's analyzing the studio version... The live versions are never the same thing!

[@Bsquared1972]

Imagine being 14-15 years old and hearing this for the first time! Boston redefined modern guitar sound, and Brad's vocals are still some of the best in rock history. Very well-reviewed...nice job!

[@danw1955]

One of the greatest rock albums of all time, IMHO, and to think it was recorded in a guy's basement! Tom, Brad, and Barry just knocked this out of the park.😍 This came out a couple years after I graduated, in 1976 or early 1977, and surprisingly only stayed in the Top 100 Billboard chart for like 10 weeks and only made it to #22 for some reason... The local radio stations played it non-stop, and yet I never got tired of it, unlike a lot of songs! Great review Elizabeth.😉👍👍

[@markk.4941]

Just 2 songs into Boston and you have become a fan, just like the rest of us when we first heard them. The production on this album is masterful considering it was 1976. Tom Scholtz designed his own effects pedals to get the sound he wanted from the guitars. They became the "Rockman" series of pedals sold in the 70s and 80s. Next try "Hitch a Ride".

[@curtrobinson3496]

OMG, the joy in your reviews is so wonderful. Musically spot on and educational, but your enjoyment takes me back to listening to this and many of the other songs you've analyzed when I was just discovering it all... great!

[@briankrames1883]

Boston is so complex; however, there is hidden simplicity where they just overwhelm your senses with all of these incredibly blended sounds, different instruments together, then add in perfect harmonies and Brad's phenomenal vocals, there is that emotion, passion, and meaning to their lyrics where you feel what they're singing and playing.......brings you into their musical realm..........you're just along for the ride, absolute masterpiece song, album, and band!!

[@keithbrown7685]

It puts something into rock music, that isn't always present--melody.

[@jameswarkentin2798]

Something Brad Delp and Tom did on this album, sometimes you can't tell what is voice and what is keys or strings. The level of production that went into the record has rarely been equaled.

[@auntieevil9324]

I saw them live in 1987 at the TEXXAS JAM in Dallas. The stage and rigging did this flip thing and turned from a massive pipe organ set into an enormous space ship, during Foreplay. It was so immense. They were perfection.

[@louisbonilla6780]

I was lucky to see Boston at the Capitol Theatre Passaic NJ early 1977 and all my friends waited for Brad Delp to hit that note in "More Than A Feeling" and when he DID so perfectly we all stood up (10 of us) and applauded - Tom Scholz was simply amazing to watch as he switched from Lead Guitar to Hammond B3 Organ - Boston as a LIVE Band were just incredible - they played a few songs from the forthcoming LP - it was one of my all-time favorite concerts - Thanks for that wonderful dissection of "Foreplay/Long Time" opening up like ELP at top-speed - Happy New Year❤🎸❤

[@gunner4365]

I'm pretty sure that the organ is a Hammond B or C-3 played through a Leslie cabinet. A classic sound for a reason. I was in high school when this album debuted and it's difficult to describe the enormous effect it had on the music scene. Nearly 50 years later it's still a 'driveway' album and I'll probably have this played at my funeral.

[@deanrubine2955]

Actually it's a Hammond M-3, a lesser known, slimmed down version of a B-3, through a Leslie obviously.

[@gunner4365]

@@deanrubine2955 Ah, very cool. Thanks!

[@neechee5150]

@gunner4365 According to Tom, the M3 can emphasize/produce a different series of harmonics than the B3 as well as being a sized down more bare bones B3

[@Beaufortlawrence]

The world would love to hear your reaction to the layers and harmonies in “feelin satisfied” by them. Exceptional composition 👌🏼

[@lesalbro8880]

I am in complete agreement with this comment.

[@TheCharismaticVoice]

Great suggestion! Thanks!

[@bostonwhofan]

It's great to see Elizabeth almost blushing because she loves parts of the song so much. In my opinion, she is the greatest reactor to music on youtube because of how naturally and easily she explains what she's hearing an feeling from a technical and emotional perspective. BTW, the meaning of the lyrics is similar to the lyrics of Bob Seger's "Why Don't You Stay". And speaking of Bob Seger, I don't think she has ever reacted to a Bob Seger song yet. Would be great to see her react to Bob Seger's magnificent voice and lyrics.

[@sudmuf9232]

"You'll accompany me" or Bob's cover of "If I were a carpenter" would be good songs for review.

[@patrickdare5356]

She loves reviewing live performances, so the live version of Turn The Page would be good.

[@jeffreypedersen8402]

Hear, here! Elizabeth IS the best reactor. 🫠😏She was also my first😯😲

[@BhutJolokias]

I just found this today. My best friend and I would DJ on the side for some extra money in High School. Time frame was 1977 to 1979. We'd play High School proms at small schools mostly (in the Colorado Springs area). We scored a gig at the Olympic Training Center in 1979 when we were seniors in High School. Among those in attendance were members of the Miracle on Ice team that defeated the Russians in 1980. Of course we didn't know it at the time, but we love our small place in history. I mention this because the first song in every gig we had was Boston's Foreplay/Longtime. Peace out Boston fans.

[@11Bravo.]

The pure excitement you have for music. Is literally my fav. And why I love your channel. You're awesome.

[@AudioVile]

I graduated High School in '76. This album was ALL the rage that summer. For Christmas/Holidays there was a party, and this was the ONLY album that was played. Over and Over. Great reaction to piece that's almost 50 years old. They don't make music like this anymore! Great reaction, Elizabeth!!

[@scottingram7634]

I'm class of '76 too and I remember well how HUGE this album was. Everybody had it.

[@arisaka9963]

Class of 75. Played the hell out of it.

[@matthewplowden8610]

Brad was second to none in rock vocals. Truly and exceptional voice. RIP brother.

[@markfrost2707]

I am so proud of our music. I just graduated from a major university and tye number one class, that took me 4 years to get into?? "The History of Rock n Roll" and 75% of all music sold in classic rock. it will stand the test of time like Bach and Beethoven live on, so will Boston

[@nib68]

One of my guilty pleasures is having a few drinks and checking out a few reaction channels doing songs from my younger days. Your channel is a top go to. #1. Because you always seem to be able to pick up on the nuances and obscure tidbits of songs that until I hear you explain them, I could'nt quite explain well myself. I only knew they resonated and I liked them. #2. There is just a pure joy and real happiness in your reactions when you hear something truly extraordinary that's infectious. It's rare to see anyone be truly happy and excited about anything these days, and you honestly provide a vicarious ride along for those watching. Helps that you're too damn cute too lol. Keep on keeping on. Love this stuff.

[@allthegoodnamesareinuse]

"A triple decker burger of vocal harmonies" is the best description of Brad's vocals I've ever heard 😂

[@MrHws5mp]

"It was quite an exciting.... part.... of.... a ... song" 🤣 Not only vocal analysis, but a master class in swerving double-entendres in real time... Love you Elizabeth ❤

[@mthomasy]

That transition is certainly... afterglow-y...

[@KenTadeo]

Your reactions to hearing this the first time was priceless and genuine. I died lauging at certain parts how the music moved you. Well done.

[@CaptainBakerJason]

There is no Boston without the brilliance of composition and innovative guitar /effects of Tom Scholz and the legendary vocals of the late, great Brad Delp. 💪🏻🎸🎤🎶🤘🏻