"Alien" by Atlanta Rhythm Section

Song#:  0727
Date:  08/29/1981
Debut:  88
Peak:  29
Weeks:  15
Genre:  Soft Rock, Southern Rock



Pop Bits:  This band had their beginnings in the small town of Doraville, Georgia (located outside of Atlanta). A new studio was built there and the musicians that made up the house band for many recordings would end up forming ARS. Without even playing any live shows, the group got signed and issued their self-titled debut in 1972. It didn't generate much attention, nor did their second LP, but the band finally started to work on live gigs. Bolstered by a few minor chart singles, their next four albums did a bit better, but it was their 1976 album "A Rock and Roll Alternative" that finally broke them through. It featured their #7 hit "So Into You." Their next LP did even better hitting #7 and going platinum thanks to the #7 single "Imaginary Lover." It would be their peak as subsequent outings saw diminishing returns. Their 1981 album "Quinella" (considered one of their best) finished off the group's main era and it featured this single which was their last to reach the chart.

ReduxReview:  This is almost an odd mixture of the Eagles with a dash of CSN and a smidge of Alan Parsons Project. They were always on the lighter side of Southern Rock and I like that much better than the harder-edged bands of the genre. I like this song with its nice harmonies, but it is not nearly as memorable as their two Top 10 hits.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The main crux of the group was made up of members from two other bands - The Candymen and the Classics IV. In 1968 and 1969, the Classics IV had three Top 10 hits with "Spooky" (#3), "Stormy" (#5), and "Traces" (#2).

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