Nine Lives

Richrath set the tone for Nine Lives, the band’s ninth album, with a simple remit. “Gary felt that we should rock a little harder,” Cronin said. The guitarist got what he wanted. On this album, they played it tough.

And while this approach did not translate into hit singles, it did make for a smokin’ hard rock record.

Heavy On Your Love is the most badass song REO ever recorded. The momentum carries through riff-based tracks such as Only The Strong Survive and Take Me. And to finish, there is Back On The Road Again, an REO anthem, written and sung by bassist Bruce Hall and lit up by Richrath’s guitar heroics.