Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Eddie Money - Where's the Party?

This week (October 7th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Where’s The Party?, the fifth studio album from Eddie Money. It climbed to number 67 on the US Billboard Album chart.


Side one starts with “Maybe Tomorrow”, co-written by Money, guitarist Steve Farris, and Alan Pasqua who played synthesizer on the track.

“Bad Girls”, co-written by Money and keyboardist Duane Hitchings, has a high-energy dance beat to it. The latter is achieved thanks to Gary Mallaber’s relentless drumming.

The second single “Club Michelle”, a song about a memorable meeting in a nightclub, stalled at number 66 on the US Billboard Hot 100 after its seven week run. It has a strong synth rhythm to it.

“Back on the Road” was the B-side to the second single. The song tells of a singer who needs to go back out on tour, even if it costs in his relationship at home.

Things slow down with the ballad “Don’t Let Go”, an idle slow-dance song for the end of the night just before the bar closed down.

Side two begins with “The Big Crash”. Released as the first single, it spent twenty two weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 54; it also reached number 17 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. The lyrics tell of a woman who is running with the wrong crowd and of the guy who is trying to help her before it is too late.

The title track “Where’s the Party?” is next. Co-written by Money and guitarist Ralph Carter, this rocker tells of a guy looking for a good time wherever he can find.

“Leave It to Me”, with its helping-hand message, is next up.

“Backtrack”, the B-side to the first single, closes out the record; the album version goes nearly six and a half minutes. Money plays piano on this one while Jimmy Lyon provides the various guitar parts. The opening is really dark and somber, but beautifully done.

Looking for more Money? Check out my reviews for some of his other albums.

- For 1977’s self-titled debut Eddie Money, click here.

- For 1982’s No Control, click here.

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