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Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Boston - Boston (1976)

Boston - Boston (1976) front coverBoston - Boston (1976) back cover
Boston - Boston (1976)

Boston – Boston (1976)

Release Date: August 25, 1976
Label: Epic Records
Type: Studio Album
Genre: Rock / Arena Rock / Hard Rock
Length: 37:03
Producer: Tom Scholz

Overview

Boston is the debut studio album by American rock band Boston, and it immediately became one of the most successful debut albums in rock history. The album is renowned for its layered guitar harmonies, polished production, and melodic hooks, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of guitarist and founder Tom Scholz.

With classic hits like “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind,” and “Foreplay/Long Time,” the album blends arena-ready rock with radio-friendly melodies, setting the standard for the late ’70s rock sound. Despite initial skepticism from record labels, the album sold over 17 million copies in the U.S. alone, making it one of the best-selling debut albums ever.

Tracklist

  1. More Than a Feeling – 4:45

  2. Peace of Mind – 4:05

  3. Foreplay/Long Time – 7:51

  4. Rock & Roll Band – 4:15

  5. Smokin’ – 4:22

  6. Hitch a Ride – 3:52

  7. Something About You – 4:32

  8. Let Me Take You Home Tonight – 3:57

Fun Facts & Trivia

  • Recording Time: Tom Scholz worked on the album for over three years in his home studio, a basement converted into a recording space.

  • Signature Sound: Scholz built custom recording equipment to achieve the layered guitars, precise harmonies, and polished tone that became Boston’s signature.

  • Breakout Hit: “More Than a Feeling” reached #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains a staple of classic rock radio.

  • Did You Know? Scholz was a MIT-trained engineer and designed many of the instruments and effects used on the album himself.

  • Unexpected Success: Epic Records initially released the album with minimal promotion, but it quickly went platinum thanks to word of mouth and radio play.

  • Cultural Impact: The album’s clean, polished production contrasted with the raw rock of the mid-’70s, influencing arena rock and power-pop bands for decades.

  • Touring History: The success of the album led to Boston’s first major U.S. tour in 1977, solidifying their reputation as a top live act.

  • Album Art: The iconic guitar-shaped spaceship logo, which would appear on future Boston albums, was first introduced as part of the band’s branding in this era.

Album Credits

Boston:

  • Brad Delp: Lead vocals

  • Tom Scholz: Guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, producer, engineer

  • Barry Goudreau: Guitar, backing vocals

  • Sib Hashian: Drums, percussion

  • Fran Sheehan: Bass guitar, backing vocals

Production Team:

  • Producer & Engineer: Tom Scholz

  • Mixing: John Boylan (co-producer)

Mini Review

Boston is a masterclass in polished ’70s rock, blending soaring vocals, intricate guitar harmonies, and memorable hooks. “More Than a Feeling” and “Foreplay/Long Time” showcase the band’s technical precision and melodic sensibility, while tracks like “Smokin’” capture raw rock energy. With meticulous production and timeless songwriting, Boston’s debut album not only defined the band’s signature sound but also became a cornerstone of classic rock for generations.