Pub Rock

Mellow tunes that go best with a cold mug of beer.

Roughly spanning two decades, from 1970 to 1989, "Pub Classics" delivers mellow tunes that should ideally be heard over a mug of beer.

Starting with Allanah Myles' bluesy "Black Velvet", sung in her rich and lilting voice, the album follows up with Santana's "Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen", a track with pulsating drums and a controlled guitar.

"The Glory Of Love" by Peter Cetera, the lead singer of the group Chicago, is a typical product of eighties music, sporting heavy drums played at a steady beat, accompanied by piano. Bad English's hit single, "When I See You Smile", is an emotional love song that uses the standard piano and guitar to create its melody. Mr. Mister's "Kyrie" is hummable, while "Keep The Dream" by Freiheit is an uplifting song whose message is to keep on trying in the face of obstacles without losing patience it has rich orchestral support in the form of a backing chorus, trumpet and drums.

"The Flame", by Cheap Trick, a hit from their platinum album "Lap Of Luxury" (1988) has a good rhythm, and Bonnie Tyler's "It's A Heartache", sung in her scratchy, rasping voice is unique. Starship's "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" needs no introduction - released in 1987, this track was first heard on the soundtrack of the movie "Mannequin On The Move" (1987). Another hit single from Toto's multi-platinum album "Hydra", "Africa", has a swaying pace.

Besides the ones mentioned, popular eighties group like Meat Loaf, Journey, The Cars and Europe are included here. All the songs in this collection are flowing, golden-toned and gentle. The mood is one of nostalgia - the lyrics are important factors in the success of these tracks, and they speak of loss and hope and things that could have been.

Designed for easy listening, this star-studded "pitcher full of soft rock" churns up old memories and forgotten feelings.

This article was first published on06 Dec 2000.