Love Stinks (1980)

"Released some two years after "Sanctuary", this 1980 album would see the J. Geils Band going in an even more commercial-leaning direction than its predecessor. Taking over the main production duties, keyboard player/main songwriter Seth Justman set out to better the band's gold-plus-selling "Sanctuary". And to some degree, he wildly succeeded. Although not as consistent or diverse as "Sanctuary", "Love Stinks" features one of the band's most recognizable FM songs ever -- the album's infectious title track. "Night Time" is another great, although somewhat typical 'rave-on' type of J. Geils song. Bolstered by "Just Can't Wait," another good album opener, "Love Stinks" turns out to be solid effort, but one that sounds a little outdated at times due to its acerbic, synth textures. Not one of the band's best overall records but one that would allow the band to outdo itself with the classic "Freeze Frame" a year later." (John Franck, Allmusic)