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REO Speedwagon epitomized '70s arena rock.
One Rolling Stone writer once dubbed them the most popular
unknown band as they slogged their way in the Midwestern circuit
and drawing a huge audiences. Even this latest Essential
set can't explain or justify their popularity but the Champaign,
Illinois band at moments can rock with appeal and hubris. The
early barnstorming rockers aren't much to write home about, although
some are decent; but it wasn't until the songs from You Can
Tuna Piano But You Can't Tuna Fish with "Roll with the
Changes" and "Time to Fly" that broke the band,
setting up the big mammoth hits later on Hi Infidelity ("Take
It On the Run," "Don't Let Him Go"). It was hard
to escape hearing "Keep On Loving You" on the radio
back in 1980-1981 and it got the band rolling on the power ballad
tip ("Can't Fight This Feeling," "Here With Me,"
"In My Dreams"). Aside from You Can Tuna and
Hi Infidelity, this is pretty much all the REO that you
need.
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