R.E.O./T.W.O. is the second studio album released by the Illinois-based rock band REO Speedwagon, released in 1972. Under the leadership of guitarist Gary Richrath, this album continued the musical direction set on 1971's REO Speedwagon with Richrath's own compositions carrying the record.
| R.E.O./T.W.O. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | December 1972 | |||
| Recorded | Summer 1972 | |||
| Studio | Columbia Studios, Nashville, Tennessee | |||
| Genre | Rock, hard rock | |||
| Length | 43:48 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer | Paul Leka, Billy Rose II | |||
| REO Speedwagon chronology | ||||
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R.E.O./T.W.O. launched REO on its first national tour and presented a more polished production than the band‘s debut album; however, it still retained the progressive rock leanings that they were to ditch following the arrival of Mike Murphy[1] and did not even have a slightly successful single to rival “Sophisticated Lady”. Despite this and R.E.O./T.W.O.’s failure to dent the Billboard Top 200, it has remained more readily available than the debut. The album went gold on August 13, 1981.
The album introduced Kevin Cronin as vocalist and contributing songwriter to the band, replacing Terry Luttrell. Notable tracks on the album include Richrath’s political “Golden Country” as well as "Like You Do". Both songs, as well as Cronin’s “Music Man”, are frequently part of the band's current setlist.
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |    [2] |
Track listing
All songs written by Gary Richrath, except where noted.
- Side one
- "Let Me Ride" (Kevin Cronin) – 6:00
- "How the Story Goes" – 3:34
- "Little Queenie" (Chuck Berry) – 6:39
- "Being Kind (Can Hurt Someone Sometimes)" (Cronin) – 6:02
- Side two
- "Music Man" (Cronin) – 4:38
- "Like You Do" – 5:57
- "Flash Tan Queen" – 4:23
- "Golden Country" – 6:33
Personnel
REO Speedwagon[3]
- Kevin Cronin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gary Richrath – lead guitar
- Neal Doughty – keyboards
- Gregg Philbin – bass, backing vocals
- Alan Gratzer – drums, backing vocals
- Additional personnel[3]
- Boots Randolph – saxophone (track 3)
- Kelly Bowen – backing vocals (track 1)
- Tomi Lee Bradly – backing vocals (track 1)
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States (RIAA)[4] | Gold | 500,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
| Region | Date | Title | Label | Format | Catalog # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | December 1972 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Epic Records | Stereo Vinyl | E-31745 |
| USA | 1972 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Epic Records | Tape | PET-31745 |
| USA | 1972 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Epic Records | 8 TRK | E31745 |
| USA | 1990 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Epic Records | CD | EK 31745 |
| UK | 2007 | R.E.O. Speedwagon / R.E.O./T.W.O. | BGO Records | 2-CD (Digitally re-mastered) | BGOCD775 |
| Japan | 2011 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Sony Music | CD (DSD-Remaster) | EICP 1481 |
| Germany | 2013 | R.E.O./T.W.O. | Yellow Label | (Coloured) Vinyl | SPV 266141 LP |