This group appeared on the scene in the late 1960's as a fresh, exciting band with jazz and rock influences. Chicago's albums were red-hot through the first eight studio releases. They began to emphasize softer rock beginning with their tenth album and continuing forward. The five albums here represent all the unique parts that make Chicago one of the great groups of all-time:
1. Chicago Transit Authority
This might be a surprise to some, but the crisp sound punctuated by those trademark horns delivered with conviction still sounds as good today as it did back in 1969. There are essentially only four songs, but they're all good. Chicago's debut album features "Questions 67 and 68" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"; "Liberation" is another great example of those early Chicago horns.
2. Chicago 17
This was the group's biggest album in a long time. It contains "Hard Habit to Break", "You're the Inspiration" and "Along Comes a Woman" plus "Please Hold On" and "Only You" are particularly good album tracks.
3. Hot Streets
Another album that might come as a surprise. As mentioned above, the album is well within the new direction for the group. You're probably familiar with the hits "Alive Again", "No Tell Lover" and "Gone Long Gone". The title song, "Love Was New", "The Greatest Love On Earth" and "Take a Chance" are all solid tracks.
4. Chicago V
The classic "Saturday in the Park" is the only flat-out smash on the album, but Chicago V is a consistent album. "Now That You're Gone" is the only songwriting contribution from James Pankow that features those popular horns. "Dialogue", "State of the Union", "Goodbye" and "Alma Mater", which were all written by keyboardist Robert Lamm (who penned 80% of the album) stand out.
5. Chicago II
This double album contains the most tracks (23) of any Chicago album. The group began to perfect its sound while still sounding new, fresh and exciting. There's the jazz-rock and harder rock elements here that were present on their debut, plus "Colour My World", "Make Me Smile" and "25 or 6 to 4". "Poem for the People", "In the Country" and "Wake Up Sunshine" are other solid tracks.
Honorable Mention to:
Chicago VIII
1. Chicago Transit Authority
This might be a surprise to some, but the crisp sound punctuated by those trademark horns delivered with conviction still sounds as good today as it did back in 1969. There are essentially only four songs, but they're all good. Chicago's debut album features "Questions 67 and 68" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"; "Liberation" is another great example of those early Chicago horns.
2. Chicago 17
This was the group's biggest album in a long time. It contains "Hard Habit to Break", "You're the Inspiration" and "Along Comes a Woman" plus "Please Hold On" and "Only You" are particularly good album tracks.
3. Hot Streets
Another album that might come as a surprise. As mentioned above, the album is well within the new direction for the group. You're probably familiar with the hits "Alive Again", "No Tell Lover" and "Gone Long Gone". The title song, "Love Was New", "The Greatest Love On Earth" and "Take a Chance" are all solid tracks.
4. Chicago V
The classic "Saturday in the Park" is the only flat-out smash on the album, but Chicago V is a consistent album. "Now That You're Gone" is the only songwriting contribution from James Pankow that features those popular horns. "Dialogue", "State of the Union", "Goodbye" and "Alma Mater", which were all written by keyboardist Robert Lamm (who penned 80% of the album) stand out.
5. Chicago II
This double album contains the most tracks (23) of any Chicago album. The group began to perfect its sound while still sounding new, fresh and exciting. There's the jazz-rock and harder rock elements here that were present on their debut, plus "Colour My World", "Make Me Smile" and "25 or 6 to 4". "Poem for the People", "In the Country" and "Wake Up Sunshine" are other solid tracks.
Honorable Mention to:
Chicago VIII
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