Name: Storm Front by Billy Joel
Brand: Billy Joel
SKU: 074646939420
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 2 (70 reviews)

ALBUM

When he went for a masterpiece on The Nylon Curtain, Billy Joel worked with his band and producer Phil Ramone, crafting a Beatlesque song suite that was perfectly in step with Turnstiles. For Storm Front, he decided it was time to change things. He fired Ramone. He fired everyone in his band, save longtime drummer Liberty DeVito. He hired Mick Jones, the architect behind Foreigner's big AOR sound, to man the boards. He wrote a set of sober, somber songs, save "That's Not Her Style," a weirdly defensive song about his model wife, Christie Brinkley. He was left with an album that is singularly joyless. Joel makes no bones about his ambitions for Storm Front -- when you lead with a history lesson as your first single (the monotonous chant "We Didn't Start the Fire"), it's clear that you're not interested in fun. That wouldn't have been a problem if his melodic skills weren't in decline. Joel packed all the strongest numbers into the first half of Storm Front, from the rocking "That's Not Her Style" and "I Go to Extremes" to the fisherman's plight "The Downeaster 'Alexa'" and the power ballad "Shameless," which Garth Brooks later made a standard. Compared to the murky second side, which perks up only mildly with "Leningrad" and "And So It Goes," it's upbeat, varied, melodic, and effective, but when it's compared to his catalog -- not only such high-water marks as The Stranger or Glass Houses, but with a record as uneven as The Bridge -- it pales musically and lyrically. The five singles ("Fire," "Style," "Extremes," "'Alexa'," "Goes") were catchy enough on the radio to propel the album to multi-platinum status, but in retrospect, Storm Front sounds like the beginning of the end. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

6. Storm Front

by Billy Joel

Background Vocals: Patti Darcy
Crystal Taliefero
Frank Floyd
Richard Marx; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Joe Pirerra
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Gary Solomon
David Dorn
Dana Becker; Production
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: Mick Jones
David Brown; Performer
Horn: Andrew Love
Wayne Jackson; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Horn Section: Wayne Jackson
Andrew Love; Performer
Keyboard: Billy Joel; Performer
Organ: Billy Joel; Performer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Saxophone: Lenny Pickett; Performer
Synthesizer: David Brown
Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

1. That's Not Her Style

by Billy Joel

Background Vocals: Billy Joel
Patti Darcy
Frank Floyd
Mick Jones
Richard Marx
Brian Ruggles
Jeff Jacobs
Crystal Taliefero; Performer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Dana Becker
Suzanne Hollander
Tim Crich
Joe Pirerra
Gary Solomon
David Dorn; Production
Coordinator: Jim Miner; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Harmonica: Don Brooks; Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Lord-alge; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

9. When In Rome

by Billy Joel

Arranger: Jeff Jacobs; Composer
Background Vocals: Patti Darcy
Brenda White King
Crystal Taliefero
Curtis King; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Gary Solomon
Tim Crich
Dana Becker
Joe Pirerra
Suzanne Hollander
David Dorn; Production
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Horn: Andrew Love
Wayne Jackson; Performer
Organ: Billy Joel; Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Saxophone: Lenny Pickett; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs
Billy Joel; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

8. State of Grace

by Billy Joel

Background Vocals: Joe Lynn Turner
Mick Jones
Ian Lloyd; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Organ: Billy Joel; Performer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: David Dorn
Joe Pirerra
Dana Becker
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Gary Solomon; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Mick Jones
Billy Joel; Production

7. Leningrad

by Billy Joel

Accordion: Dominic Cortese; Performer
Arranger: Bill Zampino; Composer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
David Dorn
Dana Becker
Joe Pirerra
Gary Solomon; Production
Background Vocals: Jay Healy
Chuck Arnold
Members Of The Hicksville High School; Performer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Orchestration: Arif Mardin; Composer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Chorus Master: Chuck Arnold; Conductor
Programmer: John Mahoney; Production
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

10. And So It Goes

by Billy Joel

Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Billy Joel; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Arranger: David Cullen; Composer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Dana Becker
Joe Pirerra
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Gary Soloman
Gary Solomon
David Dorn; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy
Tom Lord-alge; Production
Producer: Mick Jones
Billy Joel; Production

3. The Downeaster 'Alexa'

by Billy Joel

Accordion: Dominic Cortese
Billy Joel; Performer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Gary Soloman
Gary Solomon
David Dorn
Dana Becker
Joe Pirerra; Production
Coordinator: Jim Miner; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Fiddle: World Famous Incognito Violinist; Performer
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Keyboard: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Lord-alge; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

4. I Go to Extremes

by Billy Joel

Background Vocals: Billy Joel
Mick Jones
Ian Lloyd
Joe Lynn Turner; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Gary Soloman
Gary Solomon
Dana Becker
David Dorn
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Joe Pirerra; Production
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Organ: Billy Joel; Performer
Piano: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

2. We Didn't Start the Fire

by Billy Joel

Background Vocals: Crystal Taliefero
Mick Jones
Billy Joel; Performer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Dana Becker
David Dorn
Gary Soloman
Gary Solomon
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Joe Pirerra; Production
Coordinator: Jim Miner; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: David Brown
Joey Hunting; Performer
Keyboard: John Mahoney
Billy Joel; Performer
Percussion: Sammy Merendino
Liberty Devitto
Crystal Taliefero
Billy Joel; Performer
Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Performer: Doug Kleeger
Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Tom Lord-alge; Production
Programmer: Kevin Jones; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

5. Shameless

by Billy Joel

Composer: Billy Joel; Composer
Background Vocals: Patti Darcy
Frank Floyd
Crystal Taliefero
Mick Jones; Performer
Bass: Schuyler Deale; Performer
Drums: Liberty Devitto; Performer
Lyricist: Billy Joel; Composer
Assistant Engineer: Gary Solomon
David Dorn
Joe Pirerra
Dana Becker
Tim Crich
Suzanne Hollander
Gary Soloman; Production
Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Guitar: David Brown; Performer
Harpsichord: Billy Joel; Performer
Performer: Billy Joel; Performer
Synthesizer: Jeff Jacobs; Performer
Vocals: Billy Joel; Performer
Mastering Engineer: Ted Jensen; Production
Mixing Engineer: Jay Healy; Production
Primary Artist: Billy Joel; Main Performer
Producer: Billy Joel
Mick Jones; Production

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

10 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

44 minutes and 34 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

Studio Quality (Hi-Res)

24bit / 96 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Hi-Res/Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

All tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

All tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Pop/Rock, Arena Rock, Singer & Songwriter, Adult Contemporary, Singer-Songwriter

Label

Columbia

Music Distribution Service

Sony Music Hi-Res

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1988

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

74646939420

Shopping cart

Notification

Storm Front

6. Storm Front

1. That's Not Her Style

9. When In Rome

8. State of Grace

7. Leningrad

10. And So It Goes

3. The Downeaster 'Alexa'

4. I Go to Extremes

2. We Didn't Start the Fire

5. Shameless

Technical Specifications

Storm Front

Product information

Release options

6. Storm Front

1. That's Not Her Style

9. When In Rome

8. State of Grace

7. Leningrad

10. And So It Goes

3. The Downeaster 'Alexa'

4. I Go to Extremes

2. We Didn't Start the Fire

5. Shameless

Technical Specifications