The Toy Box

Retro Spins: Michael Bolton - Everybody's Crazy

Yesterday's Retro Spin of Michael Bolton's 1983 debut was a fantastic hidden gem, and one that really psyched me up for his follow-up, 1985's Everybody's Crazy.

Tracking this one down wasn't easy. The CD version has never been released in the USA, and this is partly because when Bolton's popularity took off, he pleaded with Columbia Records to not reissue his debut and sophomore album. He feared doing so may confuse his soft rock / adult contemporary audience he'd built with his latter albums. When I finally tracked on down at a decent price, it was still a roll of the dice with the seller - a mass retailer on ebay, who utilized stock photos, and claimed to have multiple copies. Fortunately, things worked out, the CD arrived, it was the right one, and well, here we are today.

Everybody's Crazy features the returning collaboration of Bolton and Bruce Kulick, among several other musicians. For Kulick, while he would return to work with the singer in the future, he would formally join the makeup clad classic rockers, Kiss in 1984.

The album is a return to form of its predecessor, for me, it didn't pack as big a punch. Though it was decent overall, I'd also say it was mostly generic rock tracks. Not too memorable ones at that. Save Our Love was really the only standout for me.

Frankly, there's not much more to say about it. For the trouble it took to get the album, and for how great his debut was, I honestly expected better.

Again, it's not a bad album. It's just not as good as his prior. I can understand why his label started watching him with concern at this point and even considered dropping him. But for any of you who know his later hits, you already know that bigger and better (depending on tastes in music) were on the horizon, and soon, Michael Bolton would become a household name. Though things would also come to a head, making that name a household joke, but that's a story for later down the road.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

Comics Corner: Web Of Spider-Man 18

Title: Web Of Spider-Man
Issue Number: 18
Release Date: September 1986

Highlights

First appearance of Medgar DuPaul, Deputy Sheriff Sarah, Sheriff Andrews
First cameo of Eddie Brock, but only his hand, and he is unnamed
The destruction of Spider-Man's red suit
Last appearance of Seth and Charla Hanks
Peter Parker makes it home to New York, wearing nothing more than a long coat, and a small piece of the red and blue Spider-Man suit

He's let into his apartment by Mary Jane who is there worrying about him, but wasn't expecting him to show up

Peter says that with his red and blue suit gone, it's officially him and the black suit
Peter's web shooters have also been damaged
Mary Jane demands an answer to where Peter has been, and he regales the flashback tale
While in Delaware, Peter is arrested - See lows and oddities for more information
While being taken to the prison work fields, Peter is pulled aside, and taken to the mansion of Medgar DuPaul with other prisons
Medgar DuPaul pays to have prisoner's brought to him to hunt them for sport
Deputy Sheriff Sarah follows Sheriff Andrews to DuPaul's home, discovering what's going on
Peter helps Sarah defeat Andrews and DuPaul, and in turn, she returns his affects, and lets him go free
After a long sleep, Peter returns to the Bugle to explain to Jonah and Joy where he's been, of course it's not the actual story

In all his compassion, Jonah tells Peter everything is okay, and that he doesn't need to be ready for another assignment until tomorrow

While waiting for his train, a mysterious hand stretches out, and pushes Peter onto the tracks towards an oncoming train

Peter is able to get to safety, but is completely panicked that his spider senses didn't warn him of the danger

The story of Venom has officially begun

Low Points

Peter steals a blueberry pie from someone's window, is arrested for it, and sent to prison
Peter gives a fake name in prison, Jay Jameson
The story collapses under common sense - See oddities below

Oddities

Peter hitchhikes from West Virginia to Delaware, making his way back to New York, all while talking about how he had no money for food, or travel - Um...Make a collect call to the Bugle, and tell them you're stranded

Surely Joy had filled them in that Peter was missing after their assignment, and people were genuinely worried about him

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Michael Bolton - Michael Bolton

Back before he was causing gushing floods of the homes of lonely single mothers with his heartthrob love songs of the 90's, Michael Bolton was actually a solid writer, developing hits for other artists, while struggling to find a foothold in the band Blackjack. The band would release two albums, their self-titled 1979 debut, and 1980's Worlds Apart, opening for the likes of Ozzy Osbourne in support of the latter record.

Prior to this, Bolton, or rather, Michael Bolotin, his true name, had already tried to establish himself as a solo artist, releasing his own self-titled debut in 1975 for RCA, following it up with 1976's Everyday Of My Life. Unfortunately, none of these efforts were producing the successful career he wanted, nor the hits that kept labels interested.

Adopting the stage name, Michael Bolton, and securing a deal with Columbia, he returned to the studio to once again produce a self-titled debut. The record would feature future Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, rotating lead guitar duties with Bolton himself.

While the album would end up reaching gold certification, and peak at eighty-nine on the Billboard Hot 200, the label was ultimately holding the artist back, forcing him to sing pop songs, which weren't really were his talents truly lied. That will come back full circle as I continue my journey through Bolton's 80's discography, so remember that key factor.

Bolton and his band headed out on tour to support the album, after four shows, the plug was pulled, and the remaining shows cancelled. Though there is no concrete answer as to why, it is most likely due to lack of ticket sales.

When I found Bolton's 1983 debut at the used CD store, I was a little surprised. I never expected to find something like this there, and it was more so out of curiosity that I said, "Okay, let's see what this is all about."

I tell you; I was shocked, I mean truly surprised when I fired it up. Bolton's voice, with all its in-your-face energy, starts up, only to be cut through with this mad slide down a guitar neck. My head was immediately like, "Whoa! That's hot!"

From there, the album just kept hitting harder and harder. This was a solid rock album, and a real wonderful surprise.

I enjoyed it from start to finish and would even consider it for a wall album. If I heard this back in 1983, I'd actually be bummed with the direction his career went. If you haven't heard this one, and perhaps even think of Bolton as an industry punchline, then I highly recommend you check this one out, and perhaps it will change your mind.

Regardless of the tour being cancelled, it was a mildly successful start, and in 1984, he returned to the studio to begin work on what would become 1985's Everybody's Crazy. Unfortunately, the sophomore blues would factor in, and the album less successful than his debut. Though things would start looking down for Bolton, it would turn out to be just the beginning. But let's not get too far ahead of the story.

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