Sanctuary Songs Ranked
Sanctuary is the eighth studio album by American rock band The J. Geils Band. The album was released in November 1978, by EMI Records. Cash Box said that the single “Take It Back” is “good-time rock ‘n’ roll” with “a swinging handclap beat, pithy piano fills, [and] Magic Dick harmonica licks.” A 1998 re-release on the Razor & Tie label added two bonus tracks, taken from the 1982 live album Showtime!. After the release of 1977’s Monkey Island, the J. Geils Band severed ties with Atlantic and signed a fresh deal with EMI Records. The band’s tenure with Atlantic only yielded a few successes, and on paper, teaming up with producer Joe Wissert, the man responsible for many of Earth, Wind & Fire’s and Boz Scaggs’ biggest hits, seemed like an odd choice. Here are all of Sanctuary songs ranked .
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9. I Could Hurt You
“This album should be a classic, with some very moving songs. It really brought back memories and I think I can even appreciate it more now then when I first heard it years ago.”
8. Take It Back
“This is my favorite J. Geils Band record, at least of the ones that I’ve heard all the way through. It has an appealing mix of emotional vulnerability, lyrical straightforwardness and warm, unobtrusive production.”
7. Teresa
“The band is in fine form throughout, rarely sounding at all forced. Ironically, the only place where it sounds like they’re trying a little too hard is on “Teresa”, which features just Wolf and Justman’s piano. “
See more: The J. Geils Band Albums Ranked
6. I Can’t Believe You
“”I Can’t Believe You” finds Wolf frustrated that a relationship has to end in betrayal. He and drummer Stephen Jo Bladd perform a compelling call and response vocal duet near the end that culminates in one of J. Geils’ trademark piercing guitar solos, thick with tension and performed with just the slightest touch of flash.”
5. Jus’ Can’t Stop Me
“The other is “Jus’ Can’t Stop Me”, which drags a bit until a honking harmonica solo from the always marvelous Magic Dick helps kick things into a higher gear. It would have been a better fit for their next album, _Love Stinks_.”
4. I Don’t Hang Around Much Anymore
“He brings a sense of resignation to “I Don’t Hang Around Much Anymore”, an acknowledgment that the party lifestyle gets less fulfilling as time goes on.”
3. Wild Man
“One is the mediocre “Wild Man”, which isn’t particularly wild, but does feature a nice, funky instrumental break toward its end.”
2. Sanctuary
“They made more commercially successful albums than _Sanctuary_, but they never sounded more down to earth, more regretful, maybe even more mature, than on this album. They would never quite scale these artistic heights again.”
1. One Last Kiss
“Clearly one of J Geils Band best efforts and another five star masterpiece. I would say the only one that tops it is Monkey Island, possibly Bloodshot. This is tight, well produced, and perfectly executed.”
