The material is Badfinger and the production credits are shared by George Harrison and Todd Rundgren on their second LP on Apple. FM attention should be given to "Take It All," "Name of the Game" and "Perfection," while Top 40 will pick up on the current hit single, "Day After Day." "Suitcase" would make a good follow-up.

- Billboard, 1972.

Bonus Reviews!

Further reading on Super Seventies RockSite!: Album Review: No Dice Album Review: Ass Album Review: Wish You Were Here Single Review: "Day After Day"

Once again I'm forced to wonder if I wouldn't like this record if it were by the Beatles. But without mentioning what the question says about the group, which is called Badfinger, the answer is that the Beatles couldn't have made this record. Except for "Day After Day" and "Perfection," not one of these unabashedly tuneful tunes has any magic to it, which isn't simply a matter of cautious tempos and harmonies -- it's a matter of magic. Nor will any of them add any phrases verbal or musical to our common language, although they might keep a few in circulation. Also, the Beatles put nicer pictures on the cover -- pictures of themselves. B-

- Robert Christgau, Christgau's Record Guide, 1981.

George Harrison and Todd Rundgren took turns producing Badfinger's third album, Straight Up, which produced two international hits with the gorgeous "Day After Day" and the wall-of-sound pop/rock masterpiece "Baby Blue." Badfinger forges a unique sound with their sweeping, strained high harmonies, thick, edgy rhythm-guitar parts, and a drumming style that featured an exaggerated hi-hat attack on the backbeat. Check out "Take It All," "Sometimes," and the powerful "It's Over" for examples. * * * *

- Rick Clark, The All-Music Guide to Rock, 1995.

The band's third album, Straight Up, assured it a spot in pop history, with guest artists Leon Russell on piano and Harrison on slide guitar, as well as the unforgettable "Baby Blue" and "Day After Day." * * * * *

- William Hanson, Musichound Rock: The Essential Album Guide, 1996.

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