Head East’s “Specialty” (1979): A Rock Gem That Still Kicks Dust
Alright, let’s talk about Specialty, the 1979 rock album by Head East. If you’re into raw guitar riffs, unapologetic vocals, and that classic late-’70s vibe where everything felt like it was recorded in someone’s garage-turned-studio—this one’s for you. Released under A&M Records with Jeff Glixman pulling double duty as both producer and engineer, this record has enough grit to make your speakers sweat but also enough polish to keep things interesting.
First off, can we just appreciate how perfectly midwestern this whole thing is? Hailing from Illinois, Head East wasn’t trying to reinvent the wheel here—they were too busy rocking it down the highway at top speed. And honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need. No overthinking, no pretentious metaphors about life or love—just straight-up rock ‘n’ roll.
Now, onto the tracks. The title track, “Specialty,” hits hard right outta the gate. It’s got this swaggering groove that sticks to your brain like gum on a hot sidewalk. You know those songs where you find yourself air-drumming on your steering wheel even though you swore you’d stop doing that years ago? Yeah, this is one of those. The riff is simple yet effective, kinda like duct tape—it might not look fancy, but damn if it doesn’t hold everything together. Plus, there’s something oddly satisfying about how they stretch out the chorus without overstaying their welcome. It’s catchy without being annoying, which is harder than it sounds.
Another standout? “Love Me Tonight.” This tune sneaks up on you with its smooth opening before launching into full-on power ballad territory. Sure, the lyrics aren’t gonna win any poetry awards (“love me tonight… don’t say goodbye”), but who cares when the harmonies are this good? There’s a moment near the end where the lead singer lets loose with this gloriously raspy wail—it’s the kind of thing that makes you wanna grab a lighter (or your phone flashlight, because it’s 2023) and wave it around dramatically. Cheesy? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely.
What really ties this album together is Glixman’s production work. He manages to capture that live-in-the-room energy while still keeping everything crisp. It’s like he knew exactly how much dirt to leave on these tracks instead of scrubbing them clean. Props to him for letting the band sound like themselves rather than turning them into some sterile studio creation.
So yeah, Specialty isn’t perfect. Some of the other tracks blend together after a few listens, and I’ll admit, the album art looks like it was designed by someone who just discovered Photoshop. But hey, perfection is boring anyway. What matters is that Head East delivered an album that feels authentic—a snapshot of four dudes playing music they loved during a time when rock ruled supreme.
And honestly, isn’t that what rock ‘n’ roll is all about? Not changing the world, not winning Grammys, but giving people something real to crank up loud when they need it most.
Final thought: Listening to Specialty feels like hanging out with an old friend who tells great stories but occasionally spills beer on your couch. Annoying? Sure. But you wouldn’t trade ‘em for anything.
