Top 10: Angel Songs

In the late 70s, the term “pomp rock” was used by hipster journalists to dismiss acts ranging from Styx to Meat Loaf. Quite frankly, they couldn’t handle the multilayered masterpieces these bands had to offer, opting instead to praise the watered down Dylanisms of Springsteen. Of all the bands who had the misfortune of being labelled “pomp rock”, no band embodied the term like Angel. Not only that, but they wore it as a badge of honor. From their all white outfits and coiffed hair, to their over the top stage show and a style of music lying somewhere between pop, prog, and hard rock, this was a band who clearly cared less what elitists (or Frank Zappa) thought of them. In the same spirit of not caring what the much bigger and “better” metal publications think about us, this week we pay tribute to Angel by ranking our Top 10 Angel Songs. Unlike their logo, this list will not read the same upside down.

10. “Rock and Rollers”

From the sound of this guitar heavy track off their 1975 debut, one could be forgiven for thinking Angel solely specialized in raucous rock n’ roll à la labelmates KISS. Angel had many more musical tricks up their sleeves, but if this was the only style they played, I couldn’t complain. “Rock and Rollers” is an uplifting track celebrating the sights, sounds, and smells of 70s arena rock shows: blistering guitar solos, stomp-along choruses, lighters, beer, marijuana, long haired dudes, and smokin’ hot babes. In other words, a far cry from the sanitized Live Nation productions that arena shows have become since.

9. “Got Love If You Want It”

Maybe it’s just me, but I always got a strong Deep Purple vibe from “Got Love If You Want It”. Its unrelenting pace (no pun intended) recalls such early 70s staples as “Speed King”, “Fireball”, and “Highway Star”. I’m sure this is no coincidence. I refuse to believe any hard or heavy band with a keyboardist/organist wasn’t influenced by Purple. Granted, Angel adds their own touch of AM friendly bubblegum pop, resulting in a listen that’s heavy enough for headbangers, but accessible enough for your Barry Manilow loving mother to tap her toes and swivel her hips.

8. “Telephone Exchange”

By the release of their third album, On Earth as It Is in Heaven (1977), Angel had abandoned many of the heavy, progressive leanings of their first two releases. In exchange, they doubled down on polished power pop melodies and harmonies. “Telephone Exchange” is one such example. The synth generated strings of Gregg Giuffria and lamenting vocals of Frank DiMino take centerstage, reminiscent of a Raspberries/Eric Carmen composition, before the earworm chorus kicks in. It’s mind boggling that this track wasn’t a Top 40 smash. Then again, this is the first of many on this list I’ll say that for.

7. “She’s a Mover”

Here’s yet another track off On Earth as It Is in Heaven that woulda, coulda, shoulda been massive. “She’s a Mover” wasn’t even released as a single, but it sure had the makings of one. Its arrangement is similar to any number of early 60s Motown hits, albeit with a 70s arena rock twist. That might sound odd, but listen to some of those Temptations or Miracles classics. Now imagine them with hard hitting guitars and a singer that’s, uh, white. Surely DiMino took as much from Smokey Robinson as he did Robert Plant.

6. “Tower”

Talk about starting your career on a high note! The first song off the first Angel album, “Tower” is the textbook definition of “epic”. Its got metallic riffs, atmospheric synthesizers, and fantastical lyrics. The only other band ballsy enough to delve into such territory in ’75 was Rush. If you recognize Giuffria’s opening synth blast, that’s no coincidence. The sound effect has been used in countless radio and TV advertisements of the past 45 years. Too bad the general public isn’t nearly as familiar with the following 6 minutes and 34 seconds of the song.

5. “Mariner”

I almost put “Mariner” at #1. Why? Because this one song conveys more emotion than most artists can convey in an entire catalog of work. Giuffria’s combination of melancholic piano and lush strings, coupled with DiMino’s weary vocals, are enough to drive even the most hardened of hard rockers to tears. You’d truly believe DiMino was “an old man on the sea”, drifting aimlessly wherever the winds take him on his humble weathered ship. His eyes are sunken, skin is wrinkled, and breath is heavy. All he can do is belt out his nostalgic tale to an audience of himself and the seagulls.

4. “Cast the First Stone”

Despite being loved by metalheads far and wide, Angel was never really a metal band. That doesn’t mean they were without their metal moments. The most metal of these moments arrived in 1977. Punky Meadows must’ve gotten a good earful of the one-two punch that is “Stargazer” and “A Light in the Black”, because if “Cast the First Stone” isn’t the greatest Rainbow song never written, I don’t know what is. DiMino sings with the same tenacity as Dio, while Meadows unleashes what might be the crowning achievement of his career. The medieval sounding riffs and solos scream Blackmore. One can only wonder what could’ve been had Angel released an entire metal album.

3. “Bad Time”

Power pop 101: If you want to keep the listener hooked, all parts of the song must be equally memorable. The riffs, melodies, verses, and chorus have to pop out like a 3D movie through song. This is most definitely the case with “Bad Time”. Musically, it can be filed alongside “Telephone Exchange” and “She’s a Mover” in the “AM gold” category. For whatever reason or another, the lyric, “And lately, if it wasn’t for real bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” is one of my favorite lyrics ever. Granted, this lyric becomes more relatable with age, but I digress.

2. “Wild and Hot”

Cheap Trick had “Surrender”. And “I Want You to Want Me”. And “Dream Police”. And “Top of the World”. I could go on and on. But Angel had “Wild and Hot” which is just as excellent as all the Trick songs I listed. This all too brief 3 minute romp is peak power pop. The lyrics relate the Monday through Friday grind of every American high school student circa ’79. Moral of the story: Who needs homework when you’ve got Punky Meadows? The riffs are crunchy. The rhythm section is huge. The chorus is a total shout along. How could you not have a smile upon your face when blasting “Wild and Hot”?

1. “The Fortune”

If “Wild and Hot” is peak power pop, “The Fortune” is peak prog. Giuffria’s three minute synth intro rivals the finest moments of Rick Wakeman and Keith Emerson. Every time I hear it, I close my eyes and let the music carry me away. No drugs needed for this experience kids. Just a powerful stereo system and all lights turned off. The band cuts into the synths like an atomic bomb. We can tell Meadows means business, playing doomy, Sabbathian power chords instead of his usual hard rocking gallop. Just as DiMino makes us believe the tale of the elderly “Mariner”, he sings here with the same conviction, chronicling a man about to meet the gallows. Think “Hallowed Be Thy Name” before “Hallowed Be Thy Name”. Put all these elements together and you’ve got the greatest Angel song of all time, “The Fortune”.