Back in 1985, The Hooters were part of the soundtrack for every house party in the nation, especially across Northeastern Pa. They played sold-out concerts from St. Joseph’s Gym in Hazleton to MTV’s New Year’s Eve show. While the rest of the musical world was experimenting with robotic synths and glossy production, The Hooters were a breath of fresh air in their originality and attitude.
Like most of the byproducts of the ’80s, the band seemed to quietly fizzle out by the end of the decade. But contrary to their perceived downfall, The Hooters were hardly stagnant since then. Chief songwriters Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman penned the massive hits “Time After Time” for Cyndi Lauper and “One of Us” for Joan Osborne, and they released a string of mostly unnoticed albums (including the excellent “Out of Body” in 1993).
2008 sees the group returning to fine form with “Time Stand Still,” their first release in 15 years and a CD whose title tells the whole story. Most of the songs have an optimistic slant as seen through the eyes of the everyman. From the opening salvo of “I’m Alive” to the closing guitar workout on “Free Again,” things are obviously looking up for the Philadelphia four-piece.
With a good mix of rockers and ballads, “Time Stand Still” could have easily been the follow-up to their smash debut, “Nervous Night.” All the trademark Hooter sounds are present: the mandolins, the two-part harmonies and the kicking backbeat. Their cover of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” cuts the tempo in half and reduces the song to a piano ballad. It’s a wise choice and takes a complete left turn from the original without sacrificing the song’s melody.
Things slow down just a bit during “Ordinary Lives,” but the unlisted bonus track “White Jeans” ends things on a positive note. Their vocal cords may have aged slightly, but the lyrical pen is as sharp and energetic as ever. After 48 minutes of music, there’s not a clunker in the bunch.
If you remember the excitement surrounding The Hooters the first time around, “Time Stand Still” is an excellent reminder of a great band. If you’re new to the party, it’s a great place to start.
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The Hooters
“Time Stand Still”