a l b u m r e v i e w s


ERIC BAZILION
THE OPTIMIST
Mouse Trap Records
Produced by: Eric Bazilion
Released: OUT NOW / Website
Closest Relative: The Hooters
GENRE: Pop Rock
OVERALL: 73%

  1. Driving In England
  2. Until You Dare
  3. Gemini Yo Yo
  4. Bye Bye Baby
  5. U.G.L.Y.
  6. When I Was The Man
  7. Kid From Outer Space
  8. Be My Woman
  9. Fiddlesticks
  10. Hopelessly, Relentlessly
  11. Mind Going Down
  12. The Optimist
  13. One Of Us

I am a long time dedicated Hooters fan and was really looking forward to this album. Strange almost that it has taken this long for Eric to release his first solo album, especially after all the songs he and fellow Hooter Rob have written for others.
But here it is and I have to say it is not quite what I had anticipated.
Not that it isn't a good album; it's just a little different. The Optimist is 12 new solo tracks from this amazing songwriter and musician.
The album has it's obvious Hooters comparisons...take some of the song arrangements, the vocal style, the lead guitar and also some of the musical backing.
But the record has it's own individual trademarks that are a part of the Hooters, but on this solo release make themselves a little more obviously known.
For one, the lyrical content is superb. Biting satire, comical observations on life, clear plays on words and at times, a none to serious look at himself.
The mood of the album changes from the happy uptempo rock of Driving In England, Kid From Outer Space and Mind Going Down to the more moody reflective Until You Dare, Bye Bye Baby and Be My Woman and the very personal Hopelessly, Relentlessly.
Interestingly, I found that the tone of the album is quite abrasive in places. The mix is pretty raw and the songs are quite in your face and a distorted effect is used at times. Just take Gemini Yo Yo for example.
I think it's just that kind of an album - raw, honest, in your face and in the end, quite likeable, but not classic and not your usual smooth Hooters release.
BOTTOM LINE: There are plenty of Hooters fans out there and this release is primarily targeted at them. Not everyone is going to love this album, but as a measure of the guys brilliant song writing talent, there is plenty on offer.
The inclusion of a very stripped down version of the hit song One Of Us that Eric wrote for Joan Osbourne as a hidden end track is icing on the cake.
PRODUCTION: 65% SONGS: 80% VIBE: 70%ATTITUDE: 75%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Die hard and long time Hooters fans.
DISCOGRAPHY: Hooters - Nervous Night . One Way Home . Zig Zag . Out Of Body . Live . Hooterization (Best Of) . Solo - The Optimist



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