“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s Albums” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find a physical copy for sale on Amazon or in your local record store (if you even have one anymore). Death…by stereo!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Time may have (mostly) forgotten Sneaker’s “More Than Just The Two Of Us,” but the Analog Kid certainly hasn’t. If you were a teenager in the early ’80s, chances are very high that you will remember it as well. “More Than Just The Two Of Us” only reached #34 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it was a staple on classic rock radio (and at high school dances) all across the United States. It was one of “those” songs– and by “those,” I mean a song that was guaranteed to fill the dance floor with slow-dancing (and slow-groping) couples. “Open Arms” and “Keep On Loving You” may have been the leaders in the clubhouse for best rock ballad of 1981, but “More Than Just The Two Of Us” was definitely in contention during the final round.
Sneaker’s first album was produced by Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, and you can hear the Steely Dan/Doobies influence all over the record. If “Don’t Let Me In” sounds like a great lost Steely Dan song, that’s because it is– the track was written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen, and Baxter contributed his signature guitar to the song.
Despite the moderate success of “More Than Just The Two Of Us,” Sneaker only made one more album before disbanding in 1983. I’m still looking for their second album on vinyl, and I promise you that I will feature it here on the Analog Kid blog when I locate a copy. Until then, I hope you enjoy listening to one of the most underrated West Coast/soft rock/pop rock albums of all time: Sneaker!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sneaker: Sneaker
Handshake Records And Tapes, 1981
Vinyl rip courtesy of the Analog Kid
1. “Don’t Let Me In” (Walter Becker/Donald Fagen)
2. “More Than Just The Two Of Us” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
3. “One By One” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
4. “Jaymes” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
5. “In Time” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
6. “Get Up, Get Out” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
7. “Looking For Someone Like You” (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
8. “Millionaire” (Michael Schneider)
9. “No More Lonely Days” (Jim King/Mitch Crane)
________________________________________________
Bonus Tracks!
The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Sneaker: “More Than Just The Two Of Us” [7″ Version] (Michael Schneider/Mitch Crane)
Handshake Records And Tapes, 1981
More Than Just The Two Of Us [7″ Version]
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Steely Dan: “Midnite Cruiser” (Walter Becker/Donald Fagen)
From the album Can’t Buy A Thrill
MCA Records, 1973
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The Doobie Brothers: “Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)” (Holland/Dozier/Holland)
From the album Stampede
Warner Brothers Records, 1975
Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
REO Speedwagon: “Keep On Lovin’ You” (Kevin Cronin)
From the album High Infidelity
Epic Records, 1980
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Journey: “Open Arms” (Steve Perry/Jonathan Cain)
From the album Escape
Columbia Records, 1981
Filed under: Jazz, One-Hit Wonders, Rock Tagged: Analog Kid, Doobie Brothers, Jeff Baxter, Journey, More Than Just The Two Of Us, REO Speedwagon, Sneaker, Steely Dan Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
