LABEL: MTM MUSIC 199681
OVERALL: 78%
Produced by: Beggars & Thieves
OVERALL: 78%
Produced by: Beggars & Thieves
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LABEL: MTM MUSIC 199681 OVERALL: 78% Produced by: Beggars & Thieves | ||||
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Quite the complicated album this! The guys are back for their third album, second for MTM and first new recordings since their second album Look What You Create was shelved by Atlantic in the early 90's. The guys have not stood still here. They have chosen to solidify the sounds of both their previous albums and have strengthened their bluesy sound of the last album and mixed it with a new modern approach. In doing this they have used their instantly recognizable sound and moved it into a new arena, a modern and fresh sound and a sound that might just take AOR in to the next century. But that all depends on whether their fans choose to move with them. This album is not a 'one listen and know it' record. It takes several listens to get to know it. Even after all that it is going to take an open mind to really take to this. I am at about 20 listens and it is really starting to dig it's claws in for good. I hope more will have the patience to keep listening that long. | ||
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Don't Call It Love is classic harmony filled B&T in the vein of the first album. A solid rocker. Cost Ya Nothin To Love is a mid paced ballad. There is no real power ballad as such from the album. Once again it is more blues ballad than straight AOR. Big it is catchy and memorable. Complicate It is the first track in the more 90's friendly Beggars & Thieves style, but lacks a good hook too make it totally memorable. Like Don't Call It Love, Piece Of My Heart is a remake of one of the tunes that was initially recorded for Look What You Created, but was left off. And that is only good news for us, 'cause here it is and what a brilliant hard rocking track it is. Harder, bluesier, faster and tighter than the original, this is melodic brilliance. The Closer is an acoustic ballad. A slow and angst filled blues balled. A solid sound, but maybe again, is not one of their more memorable tracks. Party World is heavier and back in 90's mode. An OK track that has a hook, but not one you would immediately say is AOR. A tough talking and dark sounding track. Done is a great example of the guys at their commercial best. An uptempo happy pop rocker that breaks the album up nicely. Still modern while retaining something for the average AOR fan. Back into fast and furious, Faster has a few more hooks and a good solid rhythm. A blues based hard rocker and a cool track. Beady Eyes is a great track although it takes a few listens to warm on you. Mid tempo and moody to the max, the chorus is even more of both. Grunge meets pure AOR? Great vocals too. An album highlight. XLXL is another totally cool track and again something I haven't heard from an AOR act before. Heavy, blues drenched, but modern also and runs at a fair pace. Plenty of melodies and a dark and moody feel. In Between has a real 90's rock feel to it. This has a real chance of catching the ear of modern rock programmers in the US. The verse is heavy and modern and not entirely AOR at all. This album is very well produced, modern and classy for sure, but will old AOR die-hards take to it? The verdict is in the hands of the jury... | PRODUCTION: 87% | SONGS: 72% | VIBE: 75% | ATTITUDE: 82% | ESSENTIAL FOR: All Beggars & Thieves fans, those who are looking for something different in AOR. |
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DISCOGRAPHY: Beggars & Thieves . Look What You Create . The Grey Album
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