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Track Listing
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· Any Kind Of Love (1)
· What Ever It Takes (3)
· Always
· Don't Know Why (2)
· For You
· The Best Is Yet To Come
· Where The Wind Don't Blow
· Paradise
· No Time Left
· If not For Love
· My Everything
(*) Best Tracks
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Discography & (Rank)
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· Shelter Me (2)
· For You (1)
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Buy it if you liked:
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Jack Russell - Shelter Me
Great White - Sail Away
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JACK RUSSELL
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For You
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Knight Records KR1001
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· Produced By: Bob Kulick & Billy Sherwood
· Running Time: 46.17· Genre: Pop Rock
· Release Date: Out Now · Released: US EU
· WebLink: Knight Records · LabelLink: Jack Russell
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I must premise this review with a warning. This is a soft rock album. This is 11 pop rock ballads. This is not Great White! But it's still very much, a great album.
I've always been a Great White fan – spanning back as far as Once Bitten. As much as I love the guys' rock anthems, I have felt that they have also had a unique brand of ballad. Tracks like Angel Song, She Only, Save Your Love and Lovin' Kind have always been popular with me.
To hear Jack Russell out on his own in a style not too far removed from these kinds of tracks was always going to be good.
But even I am surprised at how good this album is. It sounds fantastic – thanks to the production of the very talented team of Bob Kulick and Billy Sherwood.
These guys know how to make records sound great.
But most importantly, the song quality on For You is very high.
Jack's Japan only solo release Shelter Me was very much in the vein of Great White.
This is not – this is a true Jack Russell solo release, which has seen him move away from hard rock to the new adult contemporary scene.
It might just win him some new fans. Those unaware of Great White, or those who were not into that band's style.
This release should appeal to most GW fans because of Jack's distinctive voice.
But I will say that I believe some GW fans will not appreciate this also, as it is soft and it is quite a departure from what we are used to from Jack. This is very much a pop record.
So you know it's going to sound great, but does the style fit you?
Well, if intelligent passionate pop rock is your liking, then this collection of songs includes some great examples.
Any Kind Of Love is a very commercial, uptempo pop rocker with a fell good, happy go lucky vibe. Easy to see why it is receiving strong radio support in the US.
What Ever It Takes is more laid back. This track is driven by acoustic guitars and organ and features some great layered harmony vocals in a mid-tempo ballad style.
Always is a slow to mid-tempo moody rock ballad. This one isn't too far from a Great White ballad.
Don't Know Why is a very pop orientated track. Uptempo, but initially stripped back and acoustic driven. Then there's the catchy chorus, after which the song gains momentum and features some great guitar work.
For You is a great emotion filled power ballad that should appeal to old fans and new. A great vocal performance from Jack.
The Best Is Yet To Come is an uptempo pop rocker that features some really fine guitar work from Kulick.
Where The Wind Don't Blow keeps the tempo rolling along. The track rocks in places, but is very pop in other areas. It shows definite growth in Jack's musical personality.
Paradise continues the pop rock feel, with a few new twists in the sound, but overall continues the high song quality.
No Time Left is a slightly bluesy, slower pop ballad.
If Not For Love is another slow ballad, this time with synth/orchestral accompaniment, giving the song more depth. The tempo also changes for the chorus, which is a pretty catchy piece of songwriting.
My Everything closes the album in mid-tempo fashion. This track is a pretty simple moody, pop rocker that follows the style of the last track.
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The Bottom Line
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With the fantastic quality of songs on For You and the sharp, clear production, liking this CD all comes down to taste really.
All in all, if you don't mind the change in pace and have an open mind and preferable do like some softer musical moments, this album has a lot to offer.
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Line Up
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· Jack Russell: Vocals
· Bob Kulick: Guitar
· Michael Sherwood: Keyboards
· Vinnie Colaiuta: Drums
· Tony Levin: Bass
Guest: Billy Sherwood.
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