Head On - BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE***

Find Out Above Love/Its Over/Average Man/Woncha Take Me For A While/Wild Spirit/Take It Like A Man/Lookin' For No. 1/Away From Home/Stay Alive

Head On was the last studio album to achieve a respectable chart placing for the hard rock group Bachman Turner Overdrive. Henceforward the kind of rock music dominant during the previous decade would gradually go out of fashion, replaced by very different musical styles. (US:23)

“Their formula for success was starting to wear thin. Although the driving dual guitar assault is still there, things are starting to become a bit repetitive.”

“Head On saw the introduction of jazz-tinged ballads along with BTO's patented hard rock. However, the record has its fair share of weak spots. Lookin' Out For #1 was a fine example of this, the group's sole entry on the easy listening circuit, that was hard to digest for hardcore fans.”

“Head On is probably the hardest BTO to rate because it's neither great nor awful. For every weakness here, there are strengths as well. What is clear is that this album marks the beginning of a stylistic change for the band. Subsequent albums would only continue to drift further from the blueprint BTO used to make their name. Most of this is paint-by-numbers but Average Man gets the nod here.”

“If you like hard rock this is packed with hard driving power chords mixed with beautiful melodies. All their best songs are not necessarily what you hear on the radio. If you've found yourself in a world of wimpy music dig this one up, listen to it loud, and you will remember what pure rock ‘n ‘roll is supposed to be.”

“This is a great BTO album that is unique in its song selections. Full bodied rock and roll with a touch of smooth jazz, featuring the hard driving Away From Home and the jazzy Lookin’ Out for Number One. While not as heavy as previously, this album is still excellent and shows a variety of song styles.”

“I love BTO, old school rock & roll from the good old days, when rock really existed. This band was quite underrated in their day, often criticized for their form or use of chords, when in fact all they delivered was hard hitting guitar riffs, catchy chords and choruses with great vocals. This LP is one of their less mainstream titles, but one of my favourites.”