H2O2

Hydrogen peroxide? Or day 2 of Hall & Oates's Songblague domination? Well, this is some bleachy soul. But soul nonetheless. Forgive the double dose. 2 reasons why it's gotta be this way - I'm listening to nothing else right now and, having logged 72 work hours last week plus an intense day yesterday, I'm too fried to go too far from the audio comfort zone of the moment.

No apologies are needed really. This jam's got it going on. It comes from just before they set up camp in the Top 10. For those who doubt Hall's vocal prowess, just listen to those flourishes. And for those who harbor suspicions about unspoken amorousness within the H&O camp, I'd say the vocal/guitar call and response at the end will surely fan those flames. Good on Oates for the tasty guitarness. It probably gave someone a nasty infection.

Hall & Oates - Have I Been Away Too Long

H2O

I'm just gonna say it. Private Eyes is a stone cold classic, end to end. I know it's easy to get caught up in giggles about Oates's mustache, but the hits are hits for a reason. And great pop craftsmen should be revered for tapping the pleasure center of the body politic. Seriously, you go write a song as slinky and minimal as "I Can't Go For That." But the album tracks are just as strong. The whole record captures the best parts of the early-'80s pop zeitgeist (and any Songblague listener knows that's much appreciated around here). There's the big beat, a gee-whiz approach to drum machines and synths, and a band and producer who understand how to balance flesh-and-blood playing with tasteful studio embellishments.

Songblague has explored Daryl Hall's arty tendencies. Private Eyes has some unexpected moments of Frippery, and they're nicely woven into the pop fabric. Here's a great deep cut that could've easily shot to #1 if they'd dropped it as a single. OK, fine, now let's make jokes about the Oates-stache.

Hall & Oates - Head Above Water