This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Britny Fox's "Long Way to Love"

I'm not about to claim that this Philadelphia hair metal band has left a fine art imprint on American pop culture, but I have always thought unwaveringly that "Long Way to Love" features one of the greasiest high-octane guitar riffs and one of the finest simple melodies in all of hard rock. I'm not a huge fan of frontman Dean Davidson's often screechy vocal style, but the band's driving sound (and, of course, the nostalgic coming-of-age appeal of the "Girlschool" music video - you remember it) allowed me to forgive more than a few such sonic sins.

Britny Fox may have looked as glam if not more so than many of its contemporary groups, but like fellow Philly band Cinderella, the music itself discouraged most image-based scoffing by detractors. This is the kind of band that will almost always be snubbed in a best-of list like VH-1's recent 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs. But that's one of my self-appointed charges as your '80s Music Guide: uncover the neglected treasures that have yet to be played often enough to obscure their brilliance. It's OK, you can thank me later.

• Sample or download "Long Way to Love" here.
• Official Britny Fox Website

Album Cover Photo Courtesy of Columbia Records