REO Speedwagon – R.E.O. Speedwagon

The translucent red vinyl looks cool, and it’s definitely 180-gram vinyl. The sound quality, though, is awful. It’s heavy and muffled. I’ve never heard of this label, and I’ll be avoiding them in the future. My original 1971 copy (which I bought secondhand for a few bucks at a local record store) sounds much better.

Cool debut album and unlike anything you'll ever hear from REO Speedwagon. Terry Luttrell's only album with the band, it gives it a different edge from the rest of their work that isn't too distant or familiar, which I enjoy. Ironically, it's much more enjoyable if you listen to it AFTER listening to REO Speedwagon's other stuff, meaning that it's not an interesting listen without any former knowledge of what the band sounds like. The first track to side B, Sophisticated Lady, is my favorite and refreshes the energy, something often ignored that can make forty minute albums feel like ten hours. But the final track, Dead At Last, on the other hand, I obviously haven't listened to enough. I just do not appreciate it on the deep level it was intended, and the final moments of the song sound like an attempt to use an overwhelming sound to overwhelm the listener with emotion. Again, it must be me 'cause I was not feeling it, and it left me off on a kinda sour note. I got my copy in decent condition for 99 cents, and I must say it's indestructible. Looking at all of it's scratches and how beat up it is, it sounds amazing. The sound quality makes up for any cosmetic imperfections. I would definitely get it after you have listened to their other stuff to appreciate it the most, however that is not an issue for most people.