It took Foreigner three years to release a follow-up to its 1981 blockbuster, 4. Perhaps that wait wasn't long enough, because Agent Provocateur is a prime example of the best and worst traits of AOR: a handful of remarkable songs padded by toothless filler. Despite contributing a few killer riffs to Foreigner's '70s canon, guitarist/keyboardist Mick Jones isn't known for his six-string abilities. His biggest strength is his knack for melody as a songwriter, keyboardist, and producer, and all these qualities are evident on Agent Provocateur. Of course, vocalist/songwriter Lou Gramm is indispensable as the band's golden-throated frontman. Jones largely guided things behind the studio console, but a co-producer usually helped, such as Alex Sadkin on this album. "I Want to Know What Love Is" became Foreigner's first and only number one single, and it's not hard to see why. Its dreamy, hypnotic feel is due in part to Gramm's soulful lead vocals and the New Jersey Mass Choir's background vocals.
Jennifer Holliday and the Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey help out as well. "That Was Yesterday," a terrific hit single, features a catchy chorus and a nifty synthesizer lick. "Reaction to Action" and "Down on Love" were both minor hits, but there's a huge difference in quality between the two; the former is the epitome of bland, formulaic AOR, while the latter includes a pleasant chorus and a warm keyboard melody. "A Love in Vain" and "Growing Up the Hard Way" have a few good moments too.
Track listing
01. "Tooth and Nail" (Lou Gramm, Mick Jones) - 3:54
02. "That Was Yesterday" (Jones, Gramm) - 3:46
03. "I Want to Know What Love Is" (Jones) - 4:58
04. "Growing Up the Hard Way" (Jones, Gramm) - 4:18
05. "Reaction to Action" (Jones, Gramm) - 3:57
06. "Stranger in My Own House" (Jones) - 4:54
07. "A Love in Vain" (Jones, Gramm) - 4:12
08. "Down on Love" (Jones, Gramm) - 4:08
09. "Two Different Worlds" (Gramm) - 4:28
10. "She's Too Tough" (Jones, Gramm) - 3:07
Foreigner
Dennis Elliott – drums, vocals
Lou Gramm – percussion, vocals
Mick Jones – guitar, keyboards, background vocals, multiple instruments
Rick Wills – bass, background vocals
Additional personnel
Wally Badarou – analog synthesizer, digital synthesizer
Tom Bailey – vocals
Brian Eddolls – synthesizer
Larry Fast – synthesizer
Don Harper – vocals
Jennifer Holliday – vocals
Dave Lebolt – synthesizer
Ian Lloyd – vocals, background vocals
Bob Mayo – synthesizer, piano, background vocals
New Jersey Mass Choir of the GMWA - background vocals
Mark Rivera – saxophone, background vocals
Jack Waldman – synthesizer
Thompson Twins - background vocals
Production
Producers: Mick Jones, Alex Sadkin
Engineers: Josh Abbey, Larry Alexander, Joe Ferla, Frank Filipetti, Howie Lindeman
Assistant engineers: Bobby Cohen, Tim Crich, Scott Mabuchi
Original mastering, digital remastering: Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC
Art direction: Bob Defrin
Design: Bob Defrin
Notes
Release date: December 7, 1984
Recorded: 1984
Genre: Rock
Length: 41:42
© 1984
Label - Atlantic
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