20/20 – But Is It Any Good?

ARTIST: 20/20

TITLE: Look Out!

YEAR RELEASED: 1981

CHART ACTION: #127

SINGLES: Strange Side of Love,

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Only if you adore power pop

LINEUP: Steve Allen, Ron Flynt, Joel Turrisi, Chris Silagyi.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Second album from relocated Midwestern power-pop quartet is hooky and melodic

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Power pop was either a hit or miss (usually a miss) on the charts, since it fell in between radio-friendly rock, pop, and adult contemporary and only the catchiest tracks could catch on with the radio.

Which means a band like 20/20, who had catchy hooks, harmonies, and interesting songs and melodies, didn’t catch a break in the era when the Top 40 was transitioning away from disco and into new wave and arena rock.

This second foray by the band covers a lot of the same ground as their debut. Some of the tracks near the end didn’t work as well in reality as in concept, and at times it felt like a slight re-write of the first one. Still, there was enough here that it could have done better on the charts had radio taken a flyer on it.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: They added a new drummer, and after the album only Allen and Flynt remained.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Two extra tracks.

GRADE: B+: A few duds near the end, otherwise another good representation of power pop.

ARTIST: 20/20

TITLE: 20/20

YEAR RELEASED: 1979

CHART ACTION: #138

SINGLES: Cheri, Tell Me Why (Can’t Understand You)

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW: Oh, please.

LINEUP: Steve Allen, Ron Flynt, Chris Silaygi, Mike Gallo

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Another heartland power-pop band (though this one formed in LA with guys from Oklahoma) met with critical acclaim but little success.

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Shining harmonies, some tight guitars, interesting keyboard flourishes, and hooky tunes. With all of those elements in its favor, 20/20 became more of a legend than a success. Well, they were a legend in certain power pop circles. They never had success.

Fans of the Shoes and other like-minded bands were dazzled by the potential of 20/20, especially since they had the blessing of Bomp! Records (who put out their first single). But they didn’t hit with the general public, except for some limited play on power pop friendly stations.

It’s also kind of an uneven album. The faster cuts seem to not have as much polish and substitute energy for hooks, and for a band that thrives on hooks and polish, that’s an issue to my ears. Most of this is prime power pop, but really for connoisseurs only. Still, I’m a connoisseur.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: Mike Gallo, who had the name and the idea, met Steve Allen and Ron Flynt (who were from Tulsa). Gallo was then asked to leave after or during the recording of the album. Ah, well.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: It was released on a combo CD with their second album. At times, that CD went for $30 or more.

GRADE: A-: Enough good to outweigh the unconvincing tracks.