Chicago - 19

Released in 1988

Chicago may not have been terribly original when it came to devising album titles, but their creative pop-rock streak was sure still going strong with 1988's release, 19. Of course when a band releases as many albums as this proliferative group did, I suppose keeping numerical count is much easier.

19 was the last of Chicago's real albums released during the 1980's (though the band continued releasing live and studio albums throughout the 1990's into the 2000's), and it again solidified their place as one of the decade's best bands with four of their tracks hitting the Top Ten ( I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love, Look Away, You're Not Alone and What Kind of Man Would I Be?).

Some of the album's highlights are:

• I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love – A sweeping power ballad that ranks among my favorite Chicago hits.
• Look Away – This is yet another top-notch power ballad that scored the band another #1 hit.
• You're Not Alone – Another ballad, but while it features some great guitar work it's not quite as powerful as the two listed above.

There were many remarkable 80's bands, but few were able to remain commercially relevant from the start of the decade until the very end. Album after album, Chicago's talented musicians and harmonic vocalists proved they were some of the best in the business, and with 19 they concluded the decade with aplomb.

Rating: 8 stars

 

Track List Heart in Pieces I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love I Stand Up We Can Last Forever Come in From the Night Look Away What Kind of Man Would I Be? Runaround You're Not Alone Victorious

Additional Resources:

• XIV Review
• 16 Review
• 17 Review
• 18 Review

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