This is the last of Rick Springfield’s 1980’s albums, culminating in a break away from RCA Records after this 1988 release.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Rick Springfield
ALBUM: Rock Of Life
LABEL: RCA
YEAR: 1988
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Rick Springfield – lead and backing vocals, vocal arrangements, sampling, guitar, keyboards, horn arrangements, percussion
Additional Musicians: Dann Huff, Tim Pierce – guitar * Randy Jackson – bass * Kimo Cornwell, Bill Cuomo, Alan Pasqua – keyboards * Curt Cress – drums, percussion * Carol Steele – percussion * Larry Williams – horn arrangements, saxophone * Gary Herbig – saxophone * Bill Reichenbach Jr – trombone * Gary Grant, Jerry Hey – trumpet * Maxi Anderson, Rose Banks, Tommy Funderburk, Jean Johnson McRath, Richard Page, Fred White – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Rock Of Life * 02 Honeymoon In Beirut * 03 World Start Turning * 04 One Reason (To Believe) * 05 Soul To Soul * 06 Tear It All Down * 07 Woman * 08 Dream In Colour * 09 Hold On To Your Dream * 10 (If You Think You’re) Groovy
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
This is the last of Rick Springfield’s 1980’s albums, culminating in a break away from RCA Records after this 1988 release. Well actually, technically it was a 1987 issue in his homeland of Australia, with the American market picking it up in March the following year.
Had Springfield run his course in North America? Was the market that different to make RCA reconsider his tenure? Absolutely not, his style of music would still prove popular for at least another five years judging by his other contemporaries and their successes during this timeframe.
Style wise, there’s not too much difference between ‘Rock Of Life’ versus ‘Tao’ from three years earlier. All hi-tech with an emphasis on busy vocals and top-end musicianship.
The Songs
The album opener (the title track) ‘Rock Of Life’ is a bit scatter-shot, a busy arrangement with a hi-tech R&B sound with a bit of reggae thrown in. Oops..
Much better is the second track ‘Honeymoon In Beirut’, which I’m sure is tongue-in-cheek. No one in their right mind would go to Beirut for their honeymoon? lol. Cool tune though. ‘World Start Turning’ reminds me of a song I can’t quite place, especially that chorus. When I do I’ll let you all know.
‘One Reason (To Believe)’ is busy with vocal arrangements, the overall style is a hi-tech percussive affair – quite likeable. So too ‘Tear It All Down’, which has a sing-a-long quality to it plus a stinging Dann Huff solo. But from here, the songs lose momentum.
‘Woman’ at six minutes is definitely two or three minutes over the limit, ‘Dream In Colour’ has some useful moments but I lost interest too soon. ‘Hold On To Your Dream’ is pitched at the Hall And Oates fan-base, and it didn’t do much for me unfortunately.
In Summary
‘Rock Of Life’ wasn’t as successful as his prior albums, reaching #55, and after this release, he took time out from the industry.
Rick did work on a bunch of demos during the early 90’s (I have some of these on cassette), but it wouldn’t be until the end of that decade that saw him back in the biz again with the 1999 solo ‘Karma’ album plus a stint in a band situation called Sahara Snow from 1997.
Of course, Rick’s music career is as healthy as ever, and this album has since been reissued by Rock Candy Records.
Rick Springfield on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
