Hard Line (album)

The album was produced by Jeff Eyrich, who had attended the same high school as the Alvins.[12][13] John Cougar Mellencamp wrote and produced one song; Mellencamp's producer, Don Gehman, produced "Just Another Sunday".[12] The album was recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville.[14] Stan Lynch, David Hidalgo, and Larry Taylor appear on Hard Line.[15]

Trouser Press wrote that the "highlights include 'Trouble Bound' and 'Help You Dream', both featuring the Jordanaires."[16] The Washington Post thought that "Dave Alvin's songwriting has grown dramatically -- the melodies are finally as prominent as the rhythms, and the lyrics tell the hand-me-down stories of the best folk songs."[12] The Chicago Tribune called Dave Alvin "one of the most underrated lyricists in popular music."[17] The Los Angeles Times wrote that "the Blasters [have] become secure enough musically to lower the instrumental voltage and let Phil Alvin’s vocals take center stage."[18] The Sun Sentinel opined that "the Blasters sound as if they took a long trip through the United States and sponged up every pop music form they ran into."[19]

All tracka written by Dave Alvin, except where noted.

1. "Trouble Bound"
2. "Just Another Sunday" (Alvin, John Doe)
3. "Hey, Girl"
4. "Dark Night"
5. "Little Honey" (Alvin, Doe)
6. "Samson and Delilah" (Traditional)
7. "Colored Lights" (John Cougar Mellencamp)
8. "Help You Dream"
9. "Common Man"
10. "Rock & Roll Will Stand"

The Blasters

• Phil Alvin – vocals, guitar
• John Bazz – bass guitar
• Dave Alvin – lead guitar
• Bill Bateman – drums

• Christgau, Robert (1985). "Rockabilly Men". The Village Voice (April 16). New York. Retrieved September 29, 2014.