Seven essential albums every yacht rock fan needs to hear

by

As a child of the 80s, I can truly say that these albums take me back to a time when my Walkman was never far from my side and MTV played videos all day long. The smooth melodies, the catchy hooks, and the unforgettable lyrics were the soundtrack of my youth. Each one of these albums holds a special place in my heart, reminding me of first dances, late-night conversations, and those carefree days when life seemed so simple.

Right now, Yacht Rock is experiencing a surge in popularity. Originally dubbed so for the soft rock music emerging from Los Angeles during the 70s and 80s, it’s now a viral sensation online. Musicians tagged as Yacht Rock are gaining cult followings, and HBO even produced a documentary about the genre, adding to its cultural significance.

Essentially, Yacht Rock is primarily about individual songs rather than full albums. Many playlists focus on artists who achieved success with just one hit or those whose yacht rock charm was encapsulated in a single notable track. However, we aimed for something unique by exploring the subject in a fresh way.

Instead of Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary, we thought it would be interesting to delve into the yacht rock albums that maintain their appeal from beginning to end. These are the records that immerse listeners in the genre’s world, avoiding an overload of heavy opening tracks or filler. In essence, we’re talking about timeless classics.

Aja (1977) – Steely Dan

Steely Dan didn’t appreciate being categorized as part of the “yacht rock” genre. Although Donald Fagen, one of the remaining members, was invited to contribute to an HBO documentary about it, he made it clear, using strong language, that he had no interest. However, Steely Dan are credited for creating the refined, polished, and fashionable dock from which yacht rock music originated.

The album “Aja” is widely regarded as the duo’s magnum opus, and we won’t be presenting any dissenting opinions. This record is exceptionally well-mixed, mastered, and polished, and the songs like “Deacon Blues,” “Peg,” and “Black Cow” are some of the most iconic in yacht rock music. Many musicians and vocalists who appear on “Aja,” including Michael McDonald, would later enjoy success due to the work of Fagen and the late, remarkable Walter Becker here.

Minute by Minute (1979) – The Doobie Brothers

In simpler terms, the HBO documentary suggests that yacht rock is essentially the style of music characterized by Michael McDonald’s voice. The lead singer of the Doobie Brothers perfectly encapsulated the smoothness and broad appeal of this genre, and the album “Minute by Minute” provides 36 minutes of unquestionable evidence to back this up.

This album was the band’s most successful release up to that point, and it produced “What a Fool Believes,” one of the iconic tracks in the yacht rock genre. McDonald co-wrote the song with Kenny Loggins, and it ended up winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 1980 Grammy Awards. Some other notable tracks on the album include “Dependin’ on You,” “Open Your Eyes,” and the title song.

Christopher Cross (1979) – Christopher Cross

Christopher Cross was another musician who followed in Steely Dan’s footsteps, employing the same Los Angeles session musicians to create a sound that was light and irresistibly catchy. Unlike Fagen, Cross lacked his dry humor as a vocalist, but he compensated with a collection of beautiful melodies, as demonstrated by his chart-topping songs such as “Never Be the Same,” “Ride Like the Wind,” and of course, “Sailing.

Sailing” can be considered an unofficial anthem of yacht rock due to its maritime imagery and lyrics about freedom and happiness. In 1981, Christopher Cross won numerous Grammys for this song, showing that yacht rock was irresistible to the voters.

The George Benson Collection (1981) – George Benson

Although it might appear unusual to feature a ‘Greatest Hits’ compilation in this list, we made an exception for George Benson due to his unique trajectory. Unlike many other artists here who transitioned from rock and roll into jazz and pop, Benson started with a jazz background and successfully moved into the realms of rock and pop.

This assembly showcases standout tracks such as “Breezin” and “Give Me the Night,” but among yacht rock anthems, none are more prized than “Turn Your Love Around.” The hit single was collaboratively penned by ex-Steely Dan session artist Jay Graydon and Toto’s guitarist Steve Lukather. It reigned supreme on R&B charts in 1981.

High Adventure (1982) – Kenny Loggins

Instead of selecting multiple Kenny Loggins albums, we chose to feature “High Adventure” on our list. Released in 1979, this album gave the artist an opportunity to refine his skills and produce hits that resonated strongly within the yacht rock era.

For those who haven’t listened to it yet, “Heart to Heart” is a must-hear track. This collaboration between Loggins and McDonald offers a more pop-oriented and less jazzy spin on their usual work. Tracks like “The More We Try” and “Heartlight,” which are solo works by Loggins, highlight this new, friendlier direction.

If That’s What It Takes (1982) – Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald is back in the spotlight! It was only a matter of time before he shone as a solo artist, and his debut album showed that immediately. The song “I Keep Forgettin'” epitomized yacht rock’s soothing nighttime vibes, quickly climbing up the charts, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album additionally includes “I Gotta Try,” a common tune in yacht rock, as well as the less recognized ballads “Love Lies” and “That’s Why.” McDonald delved into a more somber direction compared to his work with the Doobies, and it has held up remarkably well, much like fine wine.

Toto IV (1982) – Toto

Toto served as the pioneering group in the realm of Yacht Rock. These musicians were actually the ones who played on albums by Steely Dan, Doobie Brothers, and Christopher Cross, effectively shaping the genre into what we know today. The album Toto IV can be seen as the pinnacle of their style, and in many ways, that of Yacht Rock itself.

“Rosanna” and “Africa” were massive successes, with Africa being their only number one single. “I Won’t Hold You Back” was another top 10 hit, demonstrating that Toto had elevated the commercial success of their contemporaries to its peak in mainstream music. The genre known as yacht rock started to lose popularity following the release of Michael Jackson’s groundbreaking album Thriller, which came out in ’82 and included contributions from several Toto members.

This historical irony further solidifies Toto IV as an essential yacht album.

Read More

2024-12-04 01:00