What makes Vertical Smiles by Blackfoot notable?

Vertical Smiles is notable for its incorporation of pop sensibilities into traditional Southern rock, which helped broaden the band's audience. The album peaked at No. 56 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing its commercial impact during a time when Southern rock was evolving amidst new wave and glam influences. Released in January 1984, Vertical Smiles marked Blackfoot's fifth studio album, following their commercially successful record Strikes (1979). At this point in their career, the band was navigating a transition as they sought to maintain relevance in a shifting rock landscape that increasingly embraced more polished production and mainstream appeal.

Who is Vertical Smiles for?

Vertical Smiles works well if you're into mid-tempo groove for road trips, catchy melodies for sing-alongs and steady pacing for background energy.

How many songs are on Vertical Smiles?

Vertical Smiles has 9 tracks, running approximately 35 minutes.

Vertical Smiles

Blackfoot · 1984

35 min · 9 tracks · Southern rock

Energetic Southern rock riffs blend with anthemic choruses, embodying the spirit of early 80s rock vitality.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Livin' in the Limelight — This track captures the essence of the band's sound with its infectious hooks and vibrant energy, representing their stylistic shift toward a more accessible rock format.
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Get It On — With its driving rhythm and catchy chorus, this song encapsulates the party spirit of the album while highlighting Blackfoot's signature guitar work.
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A Legend Never Dies — This poignant ballad showcases the band's ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with melodic sophistication, marking a standout moment on the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

44 /100

Lowland

Higher than 4% of albums we've rated

The album features energetic riffs and catchy choruses but lacks depth and cohesion over its runtime.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Morning Dew', that sets a brisk pace, which is maintained through the first four songs before slowing down slightly.
Choruses are often anthemic and repetitive, designed for sing-alongs, particularly evident in tracks like 'Livin' in the Limelight' and 'Get It On'.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

mid-tempo groove for road trips
catchy melodies for sing-alongs
steady pacing for background energy
vibrant hooks that uplift mood

Maybe skip if you

seekers of slow, introspective music
fans of lengthy, sprawling albums

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in January 1984, Vertical Smiles marked Blackfoot's fifth studio album, following their commercially successful record Strikes (1979). At this point in their career, the band was navigating a transition as they sought to maintain relevance in a shifting rock landscape that increasingly embraced more polished production and mainstream appeal.
Stylistic neighbors: Lynyrd Skynyrd· Molly Hatchet· The Allman Brothers Band