Me and my bro were discussing how Rainbow with Joe Lynn Turner sounded like Foreigner the other day. He being a Foreigner fan said JLT Rainbow was a generic Foreigner. I like both bands but prefer Rainbow. So whaddaya think?

I can see why fans think both bands sound alike, and while I have not read this anywhere yet, I am sure Ritchie Blackmore was influenced by the success of Foreigner and Journey to pursue a more commerical direction for Rainbow, that being said I prefer Rainbow over Foreigner.

I think Joe Lynn Turner is an excellent vocalist, was and is a good commerical songwriter and I just think overall Rainbow songs of this era hold up better than anything in the Foreigner songbook.

Also Ritchie Blackmore is my favorite (or maybe my 2nd favorite guitartist after Hendrix) and Mick Jones is nowhere near as good as Ritchie Blackmore is on his worst day.

I would say that Foreigner has more memorable songs...Rainbow was the better band musically.

Both bands had excellent vocalist, in this version of Rainbow, Blackmore took a backseat to Joe Lynn Turner, 'Street of Dreams' 'Jealous Lover' 'Can't Let You Go' "Stone Cold' and so many great songs that should have been bigger hits and probably would have been but at time Rainbow was tagged with the label 'heavy metal' so radio programmers stayed away from them, where Foreigner seemed to be looked at as safe alternative to bands such as Rainbow.

Foreigner songs seem to sound somewhat dated, I do like the songs but I think it because I grew up when Foreigner were huge, if I were Shamu's age for example I may not like those songs that much.

Neither of those bands have aged very well (partly due to early 80's production techniques), but I like them for nostalgic reasons.

I grew up listening to Foreigner too, I think that's why I like them too. I discovered Rainbow when I was 10 or so. JLT and Lou Gramm were both rather keep it simple stupid sonwriters but at times I think JLT's lyrics were a little meh, it was the music that really stands out for me.

I saw Foreigner on the "4" tour, at the time I thought they were awesome - my other favorite band at that time was Asia.

Rainbow for me.

And lyrically, Foreigner dropped some turds too. "Urgent"? Real, deep lyrics in the chorus...

I like both bands but I think Rainbow's music holds up a little better today.

Never looked at Foreigner as a hair band. They were just great at what they did. They didnt have that style and sleaziness that hair bands have IMO.

Foreigner was the perfect "radio friendly" rock band. They were good musicians and songwriters...but it was also methodically calculated for mass acceptance. Loud enough to be "fun", but safe for parents with impressionable kids. A happy medium ground...as long as you don't think about it too deeply.

Remember, Foreigner 4 was the album Mutt Lange produced after Back In Black.

I like both bands a lot, but I voted for Rainbow.

I hope thats not sarcasm, but I do agree..

Don't worry, not sarcasm, I'm not a fan of the hair bands. I'll make exceptions for Kix and Dokken.

I like the ballads but not a huge fan of the bands overall.

White Lion
Dokken
Damn Yankees

and maybe a few Im missing are really only the few I can tolerate, other than there ballads.

I like both bands as well. As much as I love Foreigner songs, I vote Rainbow since I find them musically richer.