First off, this is hands down the best cover they ever created and not only that, it's one of the greatest covers ever. Period. Just....awesome! Okay, now about the album itself. How does Modern Times hold up so many years later?

It's no shock that the reason why I got the album in the first place was for the MONSTER hit Find Your Way Back. Not only is this THE best song of any incarnation of the band, the song itself is still a MAJOR favorite of mine that I still play on a regular basis. When I want a song that's gonna get me in a happy sing-along-mood, this is the one I go to on a pretty consistent basis. So, is this all that Modern Times has to offer? Nope, you just have to head to track 2 and get slammed in the face with Stranger. It's a great track that sees just as much play time as  Find Your Way Back. The thing that I really love about Stranger is the way the Drums are mixed in the track along with the Bass. The song is truly an original, there isn't any other song like it.

This album was also my introduction to Craig Chaquico and his solo work on pretty much every song is a knockout, especially on the aforementioned songs. He has a very distinct sound and style of playing that is immediately recognizable. Overall, the tone and feel of the album is pretty consistent and is a true rock album from a bygone era. Most people don't realize that Grace Slick came back to the band after a good chunk of the album was written and recorded. She only has lead vocals on Stranger and Alien. This one is definitely a Mickey Thomas fronted band. Unfortunately, this also signaled the turn for the band in a few years where they just became something else all together and not in a good way either.

I'm usually not a fan of Ron Nevison. As a matter of fact, I hate pretty much anything that he has done in the late 80's and onward, especially his turn at the mixing console for KISS' Crazy Nights and Ozzy Osbourne's The Ultimate Sin albums. But on Modern Times, he still had that old school feel that made this one sound great.

Fave Songs: All of em. But I gotta point out Find Your Way Back, Stranger, Modern Times and Free as my Top picks.

As much as I love Modern Times, I've listened to this even more. It's not to say that Wind Of Change is better than Modern Times, I just seem to play this more for whatever reason. Yes, this is a little bit more in the AOR mold for half the album, but who cares? Everyone was either already there are heading there. Me love this album long time.

I think the album kicks off with the best possible song they could with the Self-Title song. Great arrangement for sure. Fantastic vocals too. But Craig Chaquico OWNED the track with his blistering leads. But this isn't the only song he excells on. There are a ton of great songs on here, especially Out of Control, Can't Find Love and Black Widow. This album really gelled in a way that a lot of other albums by other artist failed. Mickey Thomas and Grace Slick sound great here and she is EPIC on Black Widow. Probably my fave track of hers on any album she's been on.

There are a couple of songs that do have a tendency to go overboard on them. Of course I'm talking about Be My Lady and I Will Stay. Yes, it's a little heavy on the piano and it being an outright ballad. Tt was definitely aiming for a certain demographic with those tunes. But for whatever strange reason, I think they are great songs. It's a different side to the band for sure, but they became huge hits, so obviously it made a connection with a lot of people besides myself.

Fave Songs: All of 'em. Top picks go to Winds Of Change, Keep On Dreamin', Be My Lady, I Will Stay, Out Of Control, Black Widow and Can't Find Love

The first 2 songs on Nuclear Furniture are by far the best. I can't remember which song it was that prompted me to get the album. I'm pretty sure it was No Way Out. Very infectious song that I still play even to this day. But of the 2 songs, I love and listen to Layin' It On The Line tons more. Great song. Nice follow up is Sorry Me, Sorry You. After that, this album does a complete nosedive into garbage. This is the first time I have listened to the album since maybe 1985. I didn't listen to this one much after I got it. Other than No Way Out and Layin' It On The Line, it didn't offer me much else. Live and Let Live is good, if not great.

So what about now? The album still sucks. Connection, Rose Goes To Yale and Magician are horrible, horrible songs. My God, who produced this album? Stylistically every songs that comes after the first two makes no sense whatsoever. They (everyone involved with the making of the album) must have been whacked out on drugs to think this was a good album. There is a story that I've known about for years regarding Nuclear Furniture and it involves Paul Kanter stealing the master-tapes and driving around for a few days, refusing to return them because he was horrified at the end results of this.

I am curious to know if I listen to this more, at least give it a serious workout, if my opinion of Nuclear Furniture would change. I doubt it. The videos for Layin' It On The Line and Sorry Me, Sorry You can't be found. Oh well.........

Fave Songs: Layin' It On The Line, No Way Out and Sorry Me, Sorry You

No idea. But just listen to the first song which was definitely geared as a potential radio hit, same for the second track. But then everything after that was just weird, tongue-in-cheek, experimental stuff that had no intention of being played on the radio. Strictly filler material to finish off the record as fast as possible.

Ron Nevison.

That's all I need to know. I never bothered reading the linear notes. It all makes sense now.

Modern Times by just a hair over Winds of Change.

Mac was right on target. But I have different reason for why I chose Modern Times over Wings Of Change.

I never bothered picking up their followup to Knee Deep when No Protection came out. Although I liked a couple of their songs: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us and It's Not Over. It wasn't enough for me to want to go out and get the album.