Emerging from the band Piper with a clear vision for a solo career that would include tough, loud guitars and stellar pop songs, Billy Squier released the criminally underrated The Tale of the Tape in 1980. His follow-up album, Don’t Say No, would include the big hits (“The Stroke,” “My Kinda Lover”) that brought him to FM radio and MTV, but nearly every song on this debut is equal to all that followed. “The Big Beat” is a fantastic opener with its solid drums paving the way for Squier’s “We Will Rock You”-type salutation. “Calley Oh” and “Rich Kid” are purebred hard-rock anthems that allow Squier to play the broken-hearted blue-collar kid who gets the girl in the end and wants to be rich. “Like I’m Lovin’ You” is a trademark Squier burner that begins with the most gentle of openings before unleashing the fire. “You Should Be High Love” grabs hold of another football-stadium rocker and was the nearest this album came to a bona fide hit single. “Who’s Your Boyfriend” is a catchy teaser.