July 13, 1997
Loverboy still delivers

Let's face it -- for a better part of the '90s, the name Loverboy was only mentioned in jest.

The multi-platinum band who enjoyed their heyday in the '80s has sold millions of records worldwide.

Known for their headbands and hankerchiefs (hence the jokes), Loverboy is back and like a rock 'n' roll infomercial, these rockers from the past have a new album available via a 1-800 number.

With 15 singles from six albums and two best-of compilations, plus several songs which have appeared on various soundtracks, Loverboy certainly had a huge catalogue to draw from.

And draw they did.

Leading off with their 1981 singles Jump and Lucky Ones from their triple platinum second album Get Lucky, Mike Reno and company looked a little the worse for wear; a little thicker around the middle and a little thinner on top, with hints of grey.

Gone are the headbands and handkerchiefs. Appearing in black shirts, black pants and black glasses, Loverboy presented a cooler, more laid-back image.

However, the band still employs the lush keyboard backing and Paul Dean's minimalist guitar sound to positive effect.

It was kind of scary. It was like the 7,000-plus people who packed into the Stampede Coca-Cola stage were transported back in time to the '80s, a time when Loverboy ruled this part of the world with their hook ridden, sugar-coated, corporate rock.

Serving up a couple of tracks from the band's latest disc, Loverboy demonstrated that they still had much of what made them stars less than a decade ago.

And that is tone, edge, head-bobbin' beats and solid pop hooks.