Life as We Know It is the twelfth studio album by REO Speedwagon, released in 1987.
It features "That Ain't Love" and "In My Dreams", both of which were Top 20 hits while "Variety Tonight" reached #60 on the Hot 100. "One Too Many Girlfriends" showcased the growing tensions between band members Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath. At one point, "New Way to Love" was considered for use in the film Top Gun.
This is the group's final studio release with Richrath and original drummer Alan Gratzer, as well as their final top 40 album to date.
Contents
Personnel
REO Speedwagon
Kevin Cronin – lead vocals (1–8, 10), backing vocals (1, 3, 7, 10), rhythm "left side" guitar (1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10), acoustic guitar (2, 3, 6, 7)
Gary Richrath – lead guitar (1, 2, 4–10), rhythm "right side" guitar (1, 4, 5, 10), electric guitar (3)
Neal Doughty – acoustic piano (1), synthesizers (2–10), organ (3, 4, 10), Emulator sax (6)
Bruce Hall – bass, lead vocals (9)
Alan Gratzer – drums
Additional musicians
Steve Forman – percussion (3, 10)
Greg Smith – baritone saxophone (1, 10), bass saxophone (1)
Lon Price – tenor saxophone (1, 10), horn arrangements (1, 10), soprano saxophone (10)
Paris Cronin – alto saxophone (10)
Nick Lane – trombone (10)
Rick Braun – trumpet (10)
Lee Thornburg – trumpet (10)
Bob Carlisle – backing vocals (2, 3, 4, 7)
Tom Kelly – backing vocals (2, 3, 4)
Julia Waters – backing vocals (5, 10)
Maxine Waters – backing vocals (5, 10)
Terry Wood – backing vocals (5, 10)
Production
Kevin Cronin – producer
Alan Gratzer – producer
Gary Richrath – producer
David DeVore – producer, engineer
Julian Stoll – assistant engineer
Steve Hall – mastering at Future Disc (Hollywood, California).
Dave Snow – art coordinator
REO Speedwagon – cover concept
Donald Ryan – cover artwork
Aaron Rapoport – photography