If you compare the real contenders in 1977, Piper were just in behind, their songs were good but not great, to really get the best out of this album, you really have to sit down with it and give it some time, it’s gritty styled power-pop combined with some radio friendly jingle-jangle.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Piper
ALBUM: Can’t Wait
LABEL: A&M
SERIAL: SP-4654
YEAR: 1977
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Billy Squier – lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, percussion * Alan Nolan – guitars, backing vocals * Tommy Gunn – guitars, backing vocals * Danny McGary – bass, backing vocals * Richie Fontana – drums, percussion, backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Can’t Wait * 02 Drop By And Stay * 03 See Me Through * 04 Little Miss Intent * 05 Now Ain’t The Time * 06 Bad Boy * 07 Comin’ Down Off Your Love * 08 Anyday * 09 Blues For The Common Man
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
We all remember 80’s rocker Billy Squier for his exploits during that decade. Eric in a previous review of Squier’s former band Piper, were given a write-up in our 1976 section. Piper didn’t die on the vine for just one album. No, they did kick on for a second set called ‘Can’t Wait’ and died on the vine after that.
However, we’ve decided to cover this second LP just to be the eternal completists that we are. A&M did give this band a big promotional push, but the debut didn’t really have the songs nor the right production to send Piper into the big time, despite one critic labelling it one of the best rock debuts ever released in the U.S.
Err yeah.. right.. Perhaps he forgot about a certain ‘other’ band from Boston who also released an album in 1976 which changed the course of melodic rock forever. Anyhow, ‘Can’t Wait’ musically sounds marginally better than the debut, and overall the songs appeal to me just a bit more, but that’s not really saying a lot.
The Songs
If you compare the real contenders in 1977, Piper were just in behind, their songs were good but not great. To really get the best out of this album, you really have to sit down with it and give it some time. It’s gritty styled power-pop combined with some radio friendly jingle-jangle.
The songs crank up eventually, as evidenced on the opening pair of ‘Can’t Wait’ and ‘Drop By And Stay’.. As you work through the playlist, you’re kinda hoping Piper will kick into high gear, but they don’t quite make it. Perhaps we are unfairly biased because most of us are familiar with Squier’s later solo material. ‘Now Ain’t The Time’ heads off into rural territory, while ‘Bad Boy’ sounds totally inoffensive and kind, despite being one of the better tracks here.
However, the award for best track goes to ‘Comin’ Down Off Your Love’. Now this is more like it! If the entire album had sounded like this, then it could’ve been one of the best albums of 1977! ‘Blues For The Common Man’ is energetic stuff, like Status Quo and the Rolling Stones bumping into each other in the parking lot!
In Summary
Ever the optimist, Squier could see a dead-end coming up with Piper, and ditched the band soon after. His solo career beckoned in 1980, and Capitol Records invested heavily with a string of LP’s, hitting paydirt with ‘Can’t Say No’, ‘Emotions In Motion’ and ‘Signs Of Life’ all selling by the crate-load.
Piper on Video
Coming Down Off Your Love
Click to go to YTM album page.
