I Call It Love

Hey there, Zoo Freaks! The Zoo Crew is spinning a killer track tonight, "I Call It Love" by Orion The Hunter, straight from their 1984 self-titled album. This song’s got that raw, anthemic 80s rock vibe, with lyrics like “Some say she's loose / I think she's tight / We rock 'n' roll / We lose control / We blast into the night.” It’s a fiery ode to passion, backed by Fran Cosmo’s soaring vocals and Barry Goudreau’s slick guitar riffs. Fun fact: the track was praised by AllMusic’s Doug Stone as one of the album’s standout “professional rock tunes,” though he noted its polished sound could feel “a bit cold.” Still, it’s a banger that captures the band’s ability to craft catchy, guitar-driven melodies perfect for cranking up loud.

Digging into the trivia, “I Call It Love” showcases the talents of not just Cosmo and Goudreau but also featured additional musician Peter Wood on Memory Moog, Prophet, and piano, adding those lush synth layers that give the song its 80s sheen. The album, including this track, was recorded during a gap between Boston’s albums, when Goudreau was itching to keep creating. Fans on Amazon reviews have called the album a hidden gem, with one saying it’s “a fine piece of work” that rivals Journey and Starship but with a more progressive edge. Sadly, no second album came, but demos for it, recorded by Cosmo and bassist Bruce Smith, are floating out there, known as The Lost Demos of Cosmo/Smith. Those unreleased tracks are like buried treasure for diehard Zoo Freaks!

Now, let’s talk about how Orion The Hunter got rolling. The band was born in the early 80s as a side project from Boston, spearheaded by guitarist Barry Goudreau, who’d been with Boston since their iconic debut. After Boston’s 1978 album Don’t Look Back, Goudreau was hungry to keep making music during the band’s long hiatus before 1986’s Third Stage. He teamed up with Fran Cosmo, a powerhouse vocalist who’d sung on Goudreau’s 1980 solo album, and brought in bassist Bruce Smith and ex-Heart drummer Michael DeRosier. They initially called themselves “Orion,” but legal pressure from Orion Pictures forced the name change to “Orion The Hunter.” Their 1984 album, released on Portrait/CBS Records, hit #57 on Billboard’s Top 200, with the single “So You Ran” climbing to #7 on rock radio. The band was a one-album wonder, but Cosmo’s vocals on tracks like “I Call It Love” later earned him a spot as Boston’s lead singer in the 90s.

For you Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, there’s not much out there in terms of an official Orion The Hunter online presence—sadly, no active website or social media accounts exist for the band itself. However, you can check out Barry Goudreau’s official site at https://www.barrygoudreau.com/ for updates on his projects, including his work with Boston and other ventures. Fran Cosmo doesn’t have a personal website, but you can follow Boston’s official Facebook or Instagram for occasional nods to his contributions. On X, Boston’s account sometimes shares throwbacks that might mention Cosmo or Goudreau. For fan communities, check out thirdstage.ca, a site dedicated to Boston and its offshoots like Orion The Hunter, with detailed band info and track listings. There’s also a Facebook group for Boston fans where Orion The Hunter gets some love—perfect for connecting with fellow Zoo Freaks who dig this 80s rock vibe!