Customer Reviews

Hear & Now

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

**** 4 OUT OF 5 STARS ****

Billy Squier became an instant radio and MTV superstar with his first two solo albums: 1981's Don't Say No and its 1982 follow-up Emotions in Motion. While videos drove his success in the early 80's, it was his "dancing and prancing" in the video for the hit "Rock Me Tonite" from his 1984 album Signs of Life that began the downward trend of Squier's career. With each ensuing album, the talented singer/songwriter received less and less support from his label, Capitol Records, and thus less aiplay on radio and TV alike.

With the release of Hear & Now at the end of the decade, however, Billy Squier became a rock-radio staple once more. The single, "Don't Say You Love Me" was the first true hit he had had in years, and the video was shown often in the MTV rotation. Fans who had never deserted Squier and new fans alike enjoyed a very strong, guitar-led album which rocked a little harder than his last couple of releases:

(1) Rock Out/Punch Somebody" sets the stage for a hearty serving of straight-ahead rock n' roll. Squier's easily-identified vocals are as charged as ever, and the guitar solos are still above par.

(2) "Stronger" is a solid pop-rocker with Squier's oft-used mix of relationships and emotions.

(3) "Don't Say You Love Me", as mentioned above, is a powerful, no-frills rocker, and has an "Everybody Wants You" kind of vibe.

(4) "Don't Let Me Go" is a slower, thoughtful, and solid rock ballad. A cool, somber video exists for this one (check youtube) - the anti-video to "Rock Me Tonite".

(5) "Tied Up" picks up the pace with some solid rock riffs added to Billy's love-em-or-leave-em lyrical poser.

(6) "(I Put A) Spell On You" is the surprise gem of Hear & Now. With the title borrowed from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' 50's blues/rock lament, it is a song that brings you back again and again to hear something a little different.

(7) "G.O.D." is much more a tribute to female charms than to theology, and gathers force as it moves through some well-written lyrics and competent riffs.

(8) "Mine Tonite" is a decent love song, but a forgettable one in Squier's extensive catalog.

(9) "Work Song" has some catchy lyrics and a good rhythm, but isn't one of the strongest here, either.

(10) "Your Love is My Life" is a beautiful, touching ballad, and is a refreshing love-song "with no stings attached", unusual for Squier.

Overall, Hear & Now launched a nice mini-comeback for a very underrated artist, although it marked the beginning-of-the-end for Billy Squier's relationship with Capitol. His next two albums, 1991's Creatures of Habit and 1993's (completely overlooked) Tell the Truth would receive little support from the label, and would lead to Squier walking away from the music business for years. For a brief moment, however, he relived the success of the early 80's, much to the delight of his fans.

While only "Don't Say You Love Me" may be familiar to the casual fan, Hear & Now is a must-have for die-hard fans of Squier. His amazing songwriting skills, powerful voice, and outstanding guitar work are all here for any real rock n' roll fan to enjoy.

Shane McMeans
- an admitted, long-time, die-hard Billy Squier fan

It was a real shame that this album was released after the musical landscape changed, putting Billy's music out of step with the times. This is arguably the most solid album of his career. The only critique I could offer is to skip the opening track (Rock Out / Punch Someone). The rest is classic Squier goodtime rock-n-roll. Standouts being the minor hit "Don't Say You Love Me", plus "The Work Song", "Your Love Is My Life", "Tied Up", and "Mine Tonight" Even if you are only a passing Billy fan, and only got into "Don't Say No" and "Emotions In Motion" you should consider adding this one to your collection, a must for any Billy fan, or any fan of good old no frills rock!

When it was new I had it on cassette, and it was finally time to update to the digital age. I really loved this album when it came out, and I still love it now. Bluesy and infectious, loud and distorted, acoustic and emotional- this one has it all. My favorite album by Billy Squier.

The music brought back great memories from the 80's. I wound up buying all the other albums to replace my vinyl records I sold.

This album is one of his best. With tracks like 'Rock Out/Punch Somebody', 'Stronger' and '(I Put A) Spell On You' this album is as good as the first four. It's a bit more in the style of 'Enough is Enough' but whereas that albums' songs were mere filler, the tracks on 'Hear and Now' feature some of his best work as an artist. Another must for any Billy collection.

I recently picked this cd up and I was AMAZED at how good it was.

I knew "Don't say you love me" was good but my God, there are so many good songs on here,Don't Let Me Go, Tied Up, I Put a Spell, Mine Tonite, are all excellent.

If you liked Billy Squier back in the day. I guarantee you will love this record.

For a short time in the mid-80's Billy Squire was all over AOR and to a lesser extent top 40 radio. The former lead vocalist / guitarist for the band Piper struck out on his own and had a formidable solo career. A lot of people never seemed to take Squire too seriously. Looking at some of his old videos today it is easy to see why. I always liked him though and he was a great live performer. "Hear And Now" came out at the end of the 80's when Squire's commercial success had started to slide. The album produced two modest hits the rocking "Don't Say You Love Me" and the power ballad "Don't Let Me Go", but on the whole Squire's career was on the downside by this time. I still enjoy this disc when I occasionally pull it out. Squire had a unique voice and was underrated as a guitarist. Besides the two singles (which are both great songs) the album also contains the goodies, "Stronger", "G.O.D.", "Mine Tonight", and "Your Love Is My Life". If you are a fan of Squire and don't have this one, it is worth checking out. You can by this album used from Amazon for under $3.

....yes now about 12 years old but it is a solid rock record.
Great to play during the summer.

Even though this CD is about 10 years old its still kind of come back CD for Billy Squier. It rocks as hard as his Stroke years yet has more depth. Its a good buy if you can find it used. I don't think its in print anymore.

This was an excellent album, the last true rocker Billy Squire released. The whole thing is good. If you like Billy Squire at all, you should get this one. It's my favorite Squire album.
"Dont say you love me" was all over the radio in 1989, a lot of the remaining songs should have been too.