After releasing an initially-overlooked debut album, Barry Manilow broke through with his 1974 sophomore album. Barry Manilow II struck a chord with a huge audience thanks to its combination of high-polished production, unblushingly love-struck lyrics and exuberant vocals. As a singer and songwriter, Manilow was both in tune with 1970s pop trends and well-grounded in classic Tin Pan Alley and jazz ballad styles. He could also spot the potential of an outside song, as was proven when his soaring cover of Scott English’s “Mandy” (originally titled “Brandy”) earned him a Number One single. If this sweeping pop aria drew listeners to II, they were well-rewarded by the rest of the album’s tracks. “Early Morning Strangers” paired disco energy with rueful lyrics, “Home Again” celebrated romantic reconciliation and “I Want To Be Somebody’s Baby” gave lonesome singles an empowering anthem. “Avenue C” saluted New York’s jazz club heyday, while “It’s A Miracle” captured the singer’s personal optimism. Without irony and very much with love, Barry Manilow II aimed for America’s heart and scored an undeniable bull’s-eye.