Side one starts with "Layin' It on the Line", an all-or-nothing rocker about the then-current world political situations. As the second single, it went to number 66 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 6 on the US Mainstream Rock chart.
"No Way Out", the first single, reached number 59 in Canada, number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on the US Mainstream Rock chart. This one reminds me of listening to the radio in my dorm room with the lights out and my headphones on. I often found myself singing along to when it came on; I still do today when it pops up in the car on the 80's channel.
The unapologetically, unrelenting rocker "Sorry Me, Sorry You" charted at number 50 on the US Mainstream Rock chart.
The mid-tempo "Live and Let Live" is next up. The sound on this song about forgiveness reminds me a good bit of Genesis, especially the drums.
"Connection" is a bold and dramatic look at the history of mankind and how it has hit a downward spiral.
Side two begins with bouncy beat of "Rose Goes to Yale", a post-nuclear apocalypse throw down.
"Magician" features a quirky, new-wave synth sound to it.
"Assassin", a look at a man on trial for killing many, is next.
"Shining in the Moonlight" has an interesting structure. It opens with a rousing guitar riff before it shifts gears into the gentler first verse. Things build again to the chorus. Lather, rinse, repeat.
"Showdown" returns to the theme of nuclear war that was woven in and out of this album. It is a cautionary tale that ends tragically.
The album closes with "Champion", a glimmer of hope in a world that has been obliterated.
I clearly remember hearing the first three tracks of Nuclear Furniture a lot on the album-oriented rock stations back in 1984; they made for a solid block of Jefferson Starship tunes. This was my first time hearing the rest of the album, and I rather enjoyed it.
For 1982's Winds of Change, click here.
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