Saturday, December 3, 2022

"On the Line" by Tangier

Song#:  3992
Date:  08/12/1989
Debut:  99
Peak:  67
Weeks:  7
Genre:  Hard Rock


Pop Bits:  This band was initially formed by guitarist/songwriter Doug Gordon in Philadelphia sometime in 1984. The following year they were able to record an indie self-titled debut album that featured lead vocalist Bill Mattson. The LP didn't do much to boost their profile, so Gordon decided to scrap the band and try a new approach. He began writing songs that leaned towards AOR with shades of the blues and then started to reform a new version of Tangier retaining singer Mattson. Gordon's new direction seemed to be the ticket as the band started to attract label attention. They would eventually sign on with Atco Records and work began on an album titled Four Winds. This first single would be pushed out and it would do well at Rock getting to #7. The tune was able to cross over to the Pop, but it was unable to get out of the bottom half of the chart. Further singles failed to do anything and that left the album peaking at #91. After further lineup changes, which included a new lead singer in Mike LeCompt, the band returned with 1991's Stranded. With no singles making an impact, the album peaked at a very minor #187. Tangier would split for good in 1992.

ReduxReview:  This song sort of fit in a slot between Foreigner and Whitesnake. It was prime for rock radio, but its mainstream prospects were limited. It wasn't as catchy as say a Bon Jovi track and it didn't quite fit in with the hit glam metal songs of the day. The tune was fine, but it wasn't all that memorable. The best part was Bill Mattson's voice which helped boost the song up a notch. Other than that, there wasn't anything special about it.

ReduxRating:  4/10

Trivia:  After the end of Tangier, founder Doug Gordon would take a few spins in the producer's chair. One of the jobs he took on was definitely not in the same genre/style of Tangier. Gordon would co-write and co-produce a track for the second album from the freestyle trio Linear. "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" would be included on Linear's 1992 album Caught in the Middle. It would not be released as a single, but it would be the b-side to the LP's lead single "T.L.C." (#30 Pop). Signed to Atlantic Records, the group initially hit it big with their 1990 single "Sending All My Love," which got to #5 Pop and went gold. A self-titled debut album would reach #52. Atlantic sprung for a second album and for that one Gordon would be involved on a track. However, with the LP's first single only making it to the Top 30, the album didn't sell and failed to chart. Linear's major label days would then come to an end.

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