Strange as it sounds, Chicago evades comprehension. Just when you think they’re a group that splits their time evenly between prog-tinged fusion and radio-friendly soft rock, they release Chicago XI, an album mostly entrenched in the middle of those two camps (and sadly, their last with guitarist Terry Kath before his death).

None of the songs lean too far in either direction (except Baby What a Big Surprise), and the result is kind of hit-or-miss, which is a surprise for a band that has done so well at either. There are some shining moments here or there, but most of the album is bogged down in a sort of funk-heavy schlock rock. Which is disappointing. Especially in 1977, one of pop music histories most exciting years. In the year that saw the advent of the CBGB crowd, Chicago XI gave the punks yet another reason to forget about radio rock.