Underdog
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Album Summary
Underdog came to life in 1979, laid down by the Atlanta Rhythm Section and released on Polydor Records — a label that had been home to some of the most soulful sounds of that decade. Produced by Rodney Mills alongside the band themselves, this record captured a group at the height of their creative and commercial powers, still burning with that irresistible blend of Southern rock grit and smooth R&B sophistication that had made them one of the most distinctive outfits to ever come out of Doraville, Georgia. By the time Underdog hit the shelves, Atlanta Rhythm Section had already proven they were no flash in the pan — these were seasoned musicians who knew how to make a record breathe, and this album was proof positive that the fire was still burning strong as the 1970s drew to a close.
Reception
- Underdog reached the Billboard 200, a testament to Atlanta Rhythm Section's remarkable ability to connect with mainstream rock audiences while never compromising the soulful depth that set them apart from their contemporaries.
- The album demonstrated the band's consistent appeal across both rock and adult contemporary audiences, reinforcing their reputation as craftsmen of radio-friendly Southern soul rock that felt equally at home on album-oriented rock stations and pop formats.
Significance
- Underdog stands as a prime example of the sophisticated Southern rock and R&B fusion that Atlanta Rhythm Section had spent the better part of the decade perfecting — music that carried the red clay of Georgia in its bones while reaching toward something timeless and universal.
- Released right at the twilight of the 1970s, the album reflects a cultural and musical moment when the rawness of early Southern rock had matured into something more refined and groove-conscious, with production values and melodic sensibility taking center stage without ever losing the soul.
- The inclusion of a reimagined version of Spooky — a song with deep roots in the Atlanta music scene — on this album speaks to the band's reverence for their own musical heritage and their unique ability to reinterpret classic material through their own unmistakable lens.
Tracklist
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A1 Do It Or Die 171
3:27
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A2 Born Ready 117
3:54
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A4 Indigo Passion 135
3:56
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B1 While Time Is Left 103
5:20
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B2 It's Only Music 120
5:33
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B3 Spooky 105
4:57
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B4 My Song 106
3:15
Artist Details
Atlanta Rhythm Section was a smooth Southern rock outfit that came together in Doraville, Georgia around 1971, born out of the ashes of the Studio One house band where these cats had spent years cutting tracks for other artists and really learning the craft from the inside out. Their sound was something special — a laid-back, groove-heavy blend of rock, soul, and blues that set them apart from the harder-edged Southern rock of their contemporaries, giving the world gems like So Into You and Imaginary Lover that just melted right out of your speakers. They never got the full recognition they deserved, but their influence on Southern rock and melodic rock runs deep, and any serious student of the genre knows that the ARS were masters of feel, groove, and that undeniable Georgia warmth.
