Rocks In The Attic #46: The Doobie Brothers - ‘One Step Closer’ (1980)

This album is so Michael McDonald it’s almost impossible to listen to. The Tom Johnston-era Doobie Brothers were a great rock band, but from Takin’ It To The Streets, when McDonald took over lead vocals, their albums get increasingly towards the middle of the road.

This is the first Doobies album after Jeff “Skunk” Baxter left the band, but they seem to be very aware that they needed someone with a crazy name to play on the record, so instead they have a guy called Cornelius Bumpus on saxophone.

One Step Closer is their last studio album before disbanding (and eventually reforming in the late 80s). Patrick Simmons walked away from the band in 1981, and as he was the last original member left in the band, they called it a day. Michael McDonald was last seen drowning in a river of MOR sludge.

Hit: Real Love

Hidden Gem: N/A