POLLin' My Head Above Water: "Private Eyes" by Hall & Oates

Rejected titles: "POLLvate Eyes," and of course, "I Can POLL For That (POLL Can Do)."

If you only know the H&O catalog by their hits you are missing out on some album cut gems. Problem was they were a singles hit machine and their albums got pushed aside. Now, years later, it's a good time to hear stuff that never got airplay.

I prefer H20 but this is still terrific: the New Wave overtones with Motown vibes. "Your Imagination" has a sick organ line. "Looking For a Good Sign" is one of their Singles That Never Were.

not the first person to say that "Did It In a Minute" sounds like the theme song to an early eighties sitcom.

"Friday Let Me Down" is the other Oates song btw

did it in a minute is dope

Erlewine's review at AMG hits some nice points - I particularly like this:

Though the production is state of the art for 1981, what keeps Private Eyes from sounding robotic is that it never gets in the way of the kinetic energy of Hall & Oates' touring band, who give the music muscle; they are what keeps the album sounding vibrant 20-plus years after its release, since while elements of the production have dated, it still captures a real band working at a peak.

A wee bit rockist, but you do hear that on the record, IMO. Won't say that the distinct presence of a live band makes the songs better but it definitely makes them sound different. It's a super slick record but there's a lot of little varieties and surprises in the instrumental tracks which I would attribute, at least in part, to the band members.

STEs reviews of those three breakthrough records influenced my own purchasing patterns, but once I got tem I thought Voices sounded live-er and H20 closer to peak era. This album is the only one which sounds like singles-plus-good-filler.

No good persuading the unconverted, who will buy Rock& Soul Pt. I or whatever.

Rock & Soul does offer the spectacular "Say It Isn't So," but, yeah. It's interesting that you say that about the reviews - I just reread them and he really does have this narrative in mind for H&O and it probably does sort of undo the reviews a little bit. It's really important to him, for example, that the success of Voices makes them confident but not TOO confident for Private Eyes. Why? Well, so he can say they get too confident on H2O, I guess. I still think this album sounds pretty darn live, all things considered. Gonna put on H2O right now and see.

If this poll ends up getting a good turnout (hmm) I'd be interested to open up Voices next - some amazing tracks on that.

H20's got "Open All Night" (one of Hall's more misogynist lyrics but, boy, those synth patches and that vocal), "Delayed Reaction" (worthy of Marshall Crenshaw), Oates' best throwaway ("Italian Girls"), and an inexplicable thing called "Crime Pays."

What's great is that I haven't heard this whole album in well over a decade, maybe two, but just reading the song titles I can instantly recall them. (I had this album on 8 TRACK TAPE, y'all.) "Unguarded Minute" and "Did It In A Minute" are great hidden gems.* But "I Can't Go For That" is just on such a different level.

*Why does this album have two songs with the word "Minute?" Who knows!?

Definitely seconding jetfan above though - if you're reading this and like the singles, but don't know the album, throw it on Spotify and turn it up loud.

"Italian Girls" is awesome but man, "Africa" is tough competition, I dunno.

H20 really sounds like a five piece: Hall on keyboards and second or third guitar, Oates on rhythm, G.E. Smith showing he wasn't always useless, T-Bone Wolk on bass. The videos don't like -- they really were a band at this point.

Hate to be so predictable but the subdued guitar clucks and ravishing synth filigree that open 'I Can't Go for That' are just too mighty for words.

1. I Can't Go For That
2. Your Imagination

An easy one - "Your Imagination" is a top 5 H&O tune. Might be #1 on some days.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

"Did it in a Minute" is a jam, but I'd be lying if I voted for anything other than "I Can't Go for That"

Yeah, "Private Eyes" and "I Can't Go For That" are serious all-time killers, but I'm pretty tempted to vote for one of the lesser-known cuts that are IMO just a notch or two below: "Head Above Water," "Did It In A Minute," maybe "Tell Me What You Want." "Your Imagination" is also pretty cool but something about the music always makes me think I'm in a Sonic The Hedgehog level. I remain totally charmed by "Mano A Mano," as well.

I love Hall's organ line in "Your Imagination"

they really were a band at this point.

And don't forget saxophonist Charlie DeChant, who still tours with them. I don't think I quite appreciated how distinct he is until I heard them live. Nasty sax as stand-in for sex or danger seems like such a beloved '80s cliche.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

I suppose STE must do a better job of promoting H&O albums.

I would have voted for the unimpeachable I Can't Go For That.

xxp Charlie was positively killing it when I saw H&O last year. His solos during Maneater and ICGFT were so ecstatic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOE1-2Fza5Q

This is pretty good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WUznhpZcOQ

One more. This is the kind of performance that makes you think Daryl Hall really can sing anything:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD0ncbGk8xM

You seen Live At Daryl's house? He consistently nails old (nonH&O) classics vocalwise. Him and Joe Walsh together was a treat.

As strong an argument a smoker can make that cigs don't affect your voice.

Great poll.

haha wow, those results! Thanks for voting, everyone. Once again, if you haven't checked it out, I do recommend this album - - - although it would certainly be legit to love the whole record and still mark "I Can't Go For That" the best.

I do like your alternate side swapping sequence, Doctor Casino. I can imagine "private eyes" being one hell of a blast encountering it as the first track on side b.

SEA SEA SICK
The mal de mer
TRY TRY TRY TRY TRY I'm
holding my head above water

fucking crazy that "Looking for a Good Sign" and "Friday Let Me Down" got no votes.

Well, "No Can Do" clearly sucked up all the air in the room! One of those polls were people's second choices might have actually told you more than their #1.