Urgent - Thinking Out Loud (1987) [2022 Japanese Edition]

URGENT was built around the three brothers Michael, Don and Steve Kehr, but also featured guitarist Yul Vasquez who later joined cult melodic rockers DIVING FOR PEARLS. Not to be confused with the Canadian band of the same name, USA melodic rockers URGENT released two very good albums halfway the ’80s: ‘Cast The First Stone’ in 1984 and “Thinking Out Loud” in 1987.
After the excellent debut, the guys were looking for a gutsier sound according to times (1987) and it was Vasquez who came up with the name of Tom Allom, known from his work for bands like Judas Priest, Krokus, Loverboy, Rough Cutt and Y&T.

“Thinking Out Loud” exactly resulted as the band members had in mind: retaining the melodic hooks, catchy choruses and swirling keyboards of the debut, plus an edgy, more punchy output.

Although the album was surely a worthy follow-up for the debut and sold pretty well, Urgent lost its deal with EMI Manhattan soon after. The cause? A restructuring! That same year (1987) the band folded, but Yul Vasquez and Klyph Black would carry on in the music business.

“Thinking Out Loud” is a classic record into any Melodic Rock / AOR book.
All the songs are huge with layers of harmonies all over, sharp guitar work and classy keyboards / synths, kicked by a fuller, ‘big’ glossy production.

Fans of classic ’80s Melodic Rock / AOR in the vein of Aviator, Loverboy, Honeymoon Suite, Aldo Nova, etc. need to add this one into your collection ASAP.

Tracks:

01. Pain (Love Is A Victim) (4:22)
02. Shot In The Dark (3:51)
03. I Can't Take It No More (3:45)
04. If This Is Love (4:50)
05. Always Be There (3:29)
06. Running Back (4:21)
07. Extra Extra (3:45)
08. Turning The Knife (4:45)
09. Give'em Enough Rope (3:43)
10. Inch By Inch (4:24)
11. All Over The World (4:41)

Personnel:

Michael Kehr – vocals, guitar
Don Kehr – vocals, keyboards
Steve Kehr – drums, vocals
Yul Vasquez – guitar, vocals
Klyph Black – bass