1982

by Dave ThompsonIt can be (and often is) argued that Status Quo entered the 1980s as little more than a parody of the l'il ol' boogie band from Butlins that once so-dominated the U.K. charts. "Rocking All Over the World," almost five-years-earlier, was the peak of their endeavors; everything since then was little more than a parody (at best), or a warmed-up revival (at most). 1+9+8+2 didn't alter that dour scenario. Dominated by a relatively sincere recounting of "I Love Rock and Roll," and the "Dear John" single that became the band's umpteenth hit (and umpteenth soundalike), it rattles along inoffensively enough, but you cannot compare it with any of the band's greatest triumphs -- just one more album from the band that's been going forever, and if it's already a part of your Quo collection, betcha don't play it too often!