Rainbow - Difficult to Cure

1981

I remember when Can't Happen Here used to be in semi heavy rotation on MTV...these songs are pretty "commercial" and every time I'm about to give up on a song, for being too wimpy, here comes the guitar solo (or keyboard solo) and all of a sudden I'm diggin' it. Into the chorus and I'm like, all smiles. Then the whole process starts over on every song.

Rainbow - Long Live Rock 'N Roll

1978

I've never been able to get into this one like. They're a great band and there are great songs on here. It's not as engaging as Rising where I can really get into that one, and even more of the first. This feel like background music that's pleasant enough to listen to while I'm doing other stuff. Not really feeling The Shed or L.A. Connection...I don't get stoked on this one like the first two. It's still Dio, which also makes it better than A lot of other bands. Sensitive to light, I don't know man this album feels like quite a slide from Rising. Rising was like they were charging into the future pushing the boundaries. This is a step backwards...except for, you know, Kill The King and Long Live Rock 'n Roll.

Richie Blackmore's Rainbow - Richie Blackmore's Rainbow

1975

Not quite a five star album, but Dio makes the couple weaker tracks seem even better than they are. Some straight up rock and roll classics on here. A 1975 release that really does bridge 70's rock to what would come in the 80's. Awesome record.

Rainbow - Rising

1976

This is a cooker. Dio/Blackmore.