Review: Foreigner Releases ‘Head Games – Deluxe Edition’ – This One Takes Me Back!

I’m occasionally accused of being a music snob (mostly by the Rock Chick) – my negative opinions on Coldplay are typically cited – but I’m really not. I think everyone should be free to listen to whatever brings them joy and lifts their spirit.

Rock n roll is all about good times and fun. And speaking of fun, I thought it would be good time to take a look at Foreigner’s new Head Games – Deluxe Edition, a 3-CD package celebrating their 1979 album.

I can’t tell you how this one takes me back to late middle school/early high school. I grew up in the suburbs of Kansas City and out in the ‘burbs our local rock station spoon fed us arena rock like it was baby formula. “Take your vitamins, and oh, here’s some arena rock… it builds strong bones.”

And of course, Foreigner was one of the bigger “arena rock” bands. Despite putting them on my list of “rocking 70s bands who sold out in the 80s,” I can’t resist talking about this album. Although when I mentioned Head Games to the Rock Chick, she audibly groaned. Who’s the music snob now?

I think she had the same reaction when I reviewed Foreigner’s 4 – Deluxe Edition as well. What can I say, those first four Foreigner albums still hold a secret place in my heart. You can take the aging hipster out of the suburbs but you can’t take the suburbs out of the aging hipster.

While Foreigner’s debut album is the one that has stood the test of time, it was this album – Head Games – that was my first purchase from their catalog. Of course my younger brother had the debut and I committed it, like so many of his albums, to cassette tape so I didn’t have to cough up my the lawn mowing money to buy it.

Disc 1 from the new Deluxe Edition is the original album. Head Games was the final album where Foreigner was a six-piece band: Lou Gramm (lead vocals), Mick Jones (guitar/keyboards), Ian MacDonald (guitar/keyboards), Al Greenwood (keyboards/synths), Rick Wills (who replaced original bassist Ed Gagliardi) and Dennis Elliott (drums). It was after this album that Greenwood and MacDonald split over Jones’ refusal to allow them more creative input. Band leaders, what are you gonna do?

This album was produced by Roy Thomas Baker, but it’s so ear worm centric it could have been produced by Mutt Lange (who produced 4). I remember the first track I heard from this album, “Dirty White Boy.” What a fabulous riff that song has. At 15 years old, “I’m a loner, but I’m never alone, Every night I get one step closer to the danger zone…” sounded pretty “outlaw” to me.

The title track, about a troubled relationship resonated with me before I had even been in a relationship. “Love On The Telephone,” with its great synth/electric piano mix was a song that would only become more relatable to me when I was freshman in college.

“Woman,” with kind of ridiculous lyrics and a bendy guitar sound was another favorite. “I’ll Get Even With You” was a dude anthem. These guys had a way with a rocking hook. “You gave it to me real low, you gave me such a low blow…” Who hasn’t been there? “Seventeen” was probably the heaviest track on the album and ends side one. It’s all heavy guitar and drums.

“Rev On The Red Line” about a drag racer was always a personal favorite and I was surprised it was buried as the last track on the record. “The Modern Day” was a potentially great song with an ill-advised lead vocal from Jones. When Lou Gramm is in the band, cede the microphone. This album had it all, even a ballad in “Do What You Like.” “Blinded By Science” was the only clunker… it was just too long.

Disc 2 of this Deluxe Version is mostly alternative/early versions of the tracks on the album. For me those tracks only stand as proof of the value of a good producer to add a little oomph to a song.

There are two outtakes, “Trouble” which features legend Peter Frampton on guitar, and could have easily fit on this album. The second one, “Zalia” is a piano driven ballad that was perhaps best left off. I can’t see myself returning to Disc 2 very often outside of “Trouble.”

Disc 3 is a live concert from the Head Games tour in late ’79. This, for me, is where the magic is on any of these deluxe boxes, a contemporary live set. This one reminds me of Live At The Rainbow ’78, only with a broader selection from the catalog as they had 2 more LPs out.

It starts with one of the best opening tracks ever, “Long Long Way From Home.” Who doesn’t love that riff from their debut. All their great songs are here: “Blue Morning, Blue Day,” “Cold As Ice” and “Feels Like The First Time” just to mention a few.

There’s also a great selection of the new stuff, “I’ll Get Even With You,” “Head Games,” even Mick Jones’ vocal turn on “Modern Day.” “Dirty White Boy” is ever harder rocking in this live setting. I saw Foreigner once (on the 4 tour) and I left feeling like Gramm didn’t have the strongest voice, but I may have been misguided on that.

“Starrider” is 9 1/2 minutes long complete with flute solo! As they wind towards the end we get spirited versions of “Double Vision,” “Headknocker” a personal favorite, and of course they end on “Hot Blooded.” It’s literally every Foreigner song you’d want and a great reminder of what these arena rockers once were capable of… you know, when there were actual original members in the band.

With Disc 2 being somewhat disappointing, I don’t think I can recommend this set but if you haven’t heard Head Games, or haven’t heard it in a while, it’s so worth a spin. And I know I’ll be coming back to this concert again. I may wear sunglasses and a fake mustache so the Rock Chick doesn’t know what I’m listening to, but damn, I enjoyed this concert.

Here’s to all of that rock n roll we loved in high school! “If it feels alright, maybe you can stay all night…” Cheers!