Tag: mr big (Page 1 of 2)

So this is it, the final album… or as Anthrax would say…Over Finished Done Gone OUT! Well, I hope that’s the case, as we all know farewells don’t seem to last too long in the world of rock n’ roll.

The songwriting seems to be an even split between Eric Martin and Paul Gilbert this time around. Some songs they co-write, and some are single efforts. I tend to favour the ones that Paul has a hand in as there is a lot more going on musically. Eric’s songs are a lot more simple and to the point. They could be Eric Martin solo efforts, as the band identity fades. Whereas, on Good Luck Trying (my favourite tune) which opens up the album, has a very busy blues arrangement that they do so well and is a trademark Mr/ Big groover.

Other high points for me are What Were You Thinking (another blues based old time rock n’ roll groover), Up On You (which is a fun mid tempo rocker), and the close out track 8 Days On The Road (which PG sings and is a cover of the Fogahat tune also done by Aretha Franklin).

If this was your last album you’d want to go out on a bang, right? Instead, it sort of goes out on a squelch. It’s a solid record but not a great one.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This is album number eight from one of melodic rock’s greatest bands. Released in 2014, four years after what was described as an original comeback and the release of What If. This would also be Pat Torpey‘s last album before stepping back due to poor health.

Now being a Paul Gilbert fan, it’s cool to see him playing the melodic rock tunes instead of the out and out shredder guitar hero stuff from his solo records and Racer X. Gotta Love The Ride lays it down with intent to let everyone know they still have something offer. Great uptempo groover with some monster playing. I Forget To Breathe keeps the groove going with another killer track. Eric Martin has such an amazing voice and he still looks as though he has just left school. Fragile is a more commercial sounding track with a very radio friendly hook and chorus. Satisfied is a straight up four to the floor blues rocker that is as close as you get to a trademark Mr. Big tune. The Man Who Has Everything follows and it’s ballad time. I guess of all the bands, Mr. Big were perceived to be the kings of the ballad mainly due to the success of To Be With You, so I’ll give them this one.

The Monster In Me blows the ballad away with some guitar histrionics before the main killer riff and groove kick in. They do this type of tune so well. What If We Were New is an old school dirty rock n’ roller that Martin did so well when he was solo. East West is the only track Martin didn’t have a hand in writing and is a mid tempo ballad with a nice PG solo. The Light Of Day seems to be taking inspiration from Hendrix and when you hear it you’ll know. This is my favourite track, I just love the whole groove to the song.

It’s ballad time again with Just Let Your Heart Decide. It’s Always About The Girl follows and the groove is a slow, funk/rock, swing with a riff right out of the mid seventies. So, the final side kicks in with Cinderella Smile. A slow busy riff and groove with a great hook and chorus. Next up is The Stories We Could Tell, the heaviest sounding track on the album. A deep heavy blues that sounds huge. The final track is a ripping live version of Addicted To That Rush.

Mr. Big don’t make bad records and this one doesn’t disappoint.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Superb album!!! Not a bad note played, and for a debut album it’s up there with the best. On paper, great musicians make great records, and that is definitely the case here. Paul Gilbert was known for being a shredder both for his solo work and with Racer X, Billy Sheehan was fresh out of the David Lee Roth band and he plays bass like a guitar, Eric Martin is blessed with a set of pipes that you could only wish for, and Pat Torpey who sat on the drum stool for way too many people to mention here.

First up is Addicted To That Rush, and Billy is resurrecting that Shyboy fast bass groove thing with Gilbert really giving it the beans. Wind Me Up is such a killer track with a superb riff, massive hook and chorus, and everyone plays their ass off. Merciless is next, it starts with a very busy, almost funky groove, and settles down to a funk/rock hybrid, and Paul Gilbert just rips it up. Had Enough is a Billy Sheehan composition that starts with a bass solo and settles into a slow brooding melodic groover. Side 1 closes out with Blame It On My Youth, and what a killer sounding riff. Great vocal from Eric!

Side 2 opens up with Take A Walk, and it’s the best track on the album with a ripping riff and groove; Paul just rips it up and Eric is singing his ass off. Superb song!!! Big Love is an Eric written tune, and I love the swing and vocal to this track. How Can You Do What You Do follows, and was co-written with Eric and Jonathan Cain. Nope, t’s not a ballad – it’s a great uptempo pop/rock tune with short snappy Paul solo. Anything For You is the only ballad on the album but it’s a good one. The album closes out with Rock & Roll Over with a heavy blues rock groove. Great band, great album!!!

10/10 from the Grooveman.