...that Firehouse's name came up during a discussion on Danger Danger. I, too, see them as being reasonably similar bands from pretty much the same era. Both are ultra-melodic. And that, Mr. Pool, is (I believe) the attraction that these bands hold for so many people. You are right in saying that D2's s/t debut album is lacking in originality. The musicianship is probably nothing to write home about either. But what it lacks in these areas it more than makes up for by way of totally infectious songs. I have to agree with DD Dave when he lists tracks like "Bang Bang" and "Rock America" - they lodge themselves in my brain after one listen and stay there for days (or should I say "daze"?!). The ballads on the album rank as some of my favorite power ballads of all time. And then there's Ted Poley's voice. I realize that he's not in the same league as guys like Steve Perry, Lou Gram, Mark Free, etc, Yet, there's something about it that I just happen to really enjoy. It's a totally personal thing. I also really like Paul Laine's voice, and I like the D2 albums he's made. But to me, they just don't sound like D2. In the same way, Rainbow doesn't sound like Rainbow to me without RJ Dio. I like the Joe Lynn Turner stuff, but I almost don't think of it as Rainbow. Know what I mean?

Anyways, I can appreciate what both of you are saying. It is great, in this day and age, to hear bands like D2 doing albums like "Gildersleeves." But it's also important to remember where albums like that got their grounding (albums like D2's s/t debut). My recommendation is that you put it away for a while and then pull it out in a week or two to give it another spin or two. Maybe even try to forget that it's the same band. Anyhow, I've gotta go for now. Take care.
Don