Double Vision (Foreigner Album)

''Double Vision'' is the second studio album by the British-American rock band Foreigner, released on 20 June 1978 by Atlantic Records. Recorded between December 1977 and March 1978, it was Foreigner's only album co-produced by Keith Olsen and the last recording with bass guitarist Ed Gagliardi who would be later replaced by Rick Wills.

''Double Vision'' was the first in the line of many other recordings in which A&R executive John Kalodner would simply have his name listed twice in liner notes, as a play on the title of this album. The phrase "John Kalodner: John Kalodner" originated when the producer Olsen was wondering just how to credit Kalodner's involvement in the band and the album. In keeping with the double vision theme, guitarist Mick Jones came up with an idea of doubling the name.

"Tramontane" is the only instrumental track Foreigner have released to date on a studio album.

Mick Jones takes the lead vocals on "Back Where You Belong" and "I Have Waited So Long".

Release

The album peaked at number 3 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart and earning platinum certification a week after its release. It has now been certified 7× platinum for sales in excess of 7 million units and along with the compilation '' Records'' (1982) is counted as Foreigner's best selling album. In Europe, however, ''Double Vision'' reached the Top 40 only in the United Kingdom.

The lead single, released in June 1978, was " Hot Blooded," which reached number 3 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. In September, it was followed by " Double Vision," which charted at number 2. This was the highest position Foreigner had attained to that time. The third and final single, "Blue Morning, Blue Day," was released in December and climbed to number 15 on the chart.

Reception

'' Los Angeles Times'' critic Robert Hilburn described ''Double Vision'' as "slickly produced, commercially powerful, but artistically vapid." ''The Record'' critic Rick Atkinson said of the album that it used the same formula as Foreigner's debut album such that "Foreigner's Clone" would have been an appropriate title.

According to Atkinson, "Tramontane" was the only "new and different track" on the album. Atkinson describes "Tramontane" as having a "heavy keyboard line" but that all members of the group "get a quick shot at the spotlight." On the other hand, '' The Morning News'' critic Gary Mullinax described "Tramontane" as "a densely textured instrumental that is pleasant enough but doesn't really go anywhere." Unlike most Foreigner songs, Tramontane was written primarily by Al Greenwood. Ian McDonald played a lyricon on the track.

''Murfreesboro Press'' critic Van West also recognized ''Double Vision'' as having similarities to ''Foreigner'', but said that there are important differences; in particular, ''Double Vision'' has "more individualistic interpretations" and a " heavy metal tonal structure" instead of some of the "careful harmonies" of the debut album.

''New York Daily News'' critic Ace Adams called ''Double Vision'' "a fine collection of songs" that is "hard rock at its best."

Jones has rated two songs from the album ("Blue Morning, Blue Day" and "Spellbinder") as among his 11 favorite Foreigner songs.

Track listing

Personnel

Foreigner

* Lou Gramm – lead vocals, percussion
* Mick Jones – lead guitar, backing vocals, acoustic piano, lead vocals (4, 8)
* Ian McDonald – guitars, keyboards, reeds, vocals
* Al Greenwood – keyboards
* Ed Gagliardi – bass, vocals
* Dennis Elliott – drums

Additional musicians

* Ian Lloyd – backing vocals
* David Paich – string arrangements

Production

* Producers – Mick Jones, Ian McDonald and Keith Olsen.
* Engineers – David De Vore and Keith Olsen
* Mixing – Jimmy Douglass, Mick Jones and Ian McDonald.
* Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound (New York, NY).
* Technicians – Troby Laidlaw, Randy Mason, Mac McCollum and Michael McConnell.
* Design and Photography – Norman Seeff
* Management – Bud Prager at E.S.P. Inc.

;Remastering credits
* John Kalodner – John Kalodner
* 1995 digital remastering by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.
* Dan Hersch – 2002 digital remastering
* Shawn R. Britton – 2011 MFSL mastering (at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, Sebastopol, California)

Charts

Certifications

References

External links

The Official Foreigner Website

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Foreigner (band) albums
1978 albums
Atlantic Records albums
Albums produced by Keith Olsen
Albums produced by Mick Jones (Foreigner)
Albums produced by Ian McDonald (musician)
Albums recorded at Sound City Studios