Doobie Brothers - One Step Closer (1980) Vinyl LP • Real Love, Michael McDonald

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Condition Details:

Vinyl plays with occasional light-crackles (play-graded). Embossed cover has a few creases near edges; some scuffing and light surface impressions (front/back). Inner-sleeve is original (photos/lyrics); developing splits on one seams. Spine is mostly readable with wear. Some shelf-wear along top-edge, heavier along bottom-edge and corners. Opening is crisp with signs of use and divots. Cream colored WB label with faint lines. (Notch in top-left.)

Tracks:

1. Dedicate This Heart
2. Real Love
3. No Stoppin' Us Now
4. Thank You Love
5. One Step Closer
6. Keep This Train A-Rollin'
7. Just In Time
8. South Bay Strut (Instrumental)
9. One By One

About The Record:

One Step Closer, by Doobie Brothers, marks the final studio album featuring Michael McDonald before the band's initial breakup and his return years later, while also introducing guitarist John McFee as a full member. It showcases the group's polished yacht rock sound with strong harmonies and soulful elements amid some creative shifts, including contributions like the extended Cornelius Bumpus track Thank You Love. Fan-favorites and notable cuts include the title track, Real Love, Dedicate This Heart, and the instrumental South Bay Strut. This release reflected the band's transition period with lineup changes and internal challenges leading into their hiatus. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200, with singles Real Love hitting No. 5 and the title track peaking at No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100.