This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - Robert Tepper's "No Easy Way Out"

I don't know about you, but as much as I'd like to avoid it, the blahs of the modern phenomenon known as Sunday Dread can sometimes get the best of me as the weekend draws to a close. So for this week's installment of this regular feature, I may have a more personal reason than usual for selecting an inspiring piece of mid-'80s power rock as my spotlight forgotten gem. And this one is a particular doozy, bolstered even more by its association with the 1985 Stallone sequel Rocky IV and, to a lesser extent, its subsequent status as a modest No. 22 pop hit in early 1986.

What's more, I imagine that few people know the name Robert Tepper, which is a particular shame because aside from his gravelly arena rock powerhouse of a voice - showcased memorably in "No Easy Way Out" - this New Jersey native also happens to be co-writer of an even more revered '80s classic, Benny Mardones' "Into the Night." Still, the flashpoint moment created by this week's featured track deserves its own solid blast of attention, if for nothing else thanks to its none-too-subtle blend of synthesizer, squalling guitar and thumping bass. And while certainly this song fails to offer anything new thematically or lyrically to the cinematic power ballad genre, it does manage to deliver a jolt of fist-pumping glory to your lazy Sunday afternoon. No need to thank me; widespread public enjoyment is enough payment for me.

• Sample or download "No Easy Way Out" here.
• Compare prices on Robert Tepper CDs here.
• Worthy But Underrated Arena Rock Songs of the '80s

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Legacy