The Show Must Go On
Released: November 1977
It’s late 1977, so of course the Four Tops do some disco music with the title track. It’s not terrible. It’s not great either, but I can see it easily filling a dance floor.
“I Can’t Live Without You” is the kind of song that inspired all your favorite neo-soul artists 25 years later. “Save It For A Rainy Day” is a cover of the peppy pop hit by Stephen Bishop. I prefer the original, but this is an alright effort by the Tops.
The LP’s second side kicks off with “See the Real Me”, which blends disco/Philly Soul with Levi Stubbs’ preacher man vocals. The song’s major failing is that it has a gorgeous breakdown, that takes too long to arrive and does not stick around long enough when it does.
Don’t bother with the rest of the second side. It’s hackish stuff foreshadowing worse things to come.
ALBUM GRADE: C-
Song Scores
The Show Must Go On6: 6.5/10
I Can't Live Without You: 6.5/10
Save It For A Rainy Day: 6/10
Runnin' From Your Love: 5/10
See The Real Me: 6.5/10
Love Is A Joy: 3/10
You'll Never Find A Better Man: 4/10
Candy: 3/10
At the Top
Released: December 1978
This album is horrible. Stay far away from it. The Four Tops understandably took a three-year hiatus after this record completely bombed.