Tag: mr big (Page 2 of 2)

This is an absolute belter of an album from a band gifted with all the tools to make one. This is their 2nd release and it’s the one that put them in everyone’s living room – due to the single, To Be With You. This track wasn’t even the lead off single – it was the third single. Sometimes record companies just haven’t got a clue! The band were already out and touring the album when the single went huge, and it kept them on the road for forever.

The first album was a much more bluesy affair, mirroring the band from which they took their name. This time, they went for the throat right from the off with killer opening track Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy. What an opening track ! A great riff, hook, melody – the whole nine yards. Alive And Kickin’ has a very sleazy groove, but man are this band good! Killer vocal, great guitar and bass – what more could a guy ask for? Green Tinted Sixties Mind was the second single and I really love the harmonies and vocal on this track. Lucky This Time has a slow rock groove with an awesome short snappy Paul Gilbert solo. Voodoo Kiss closes out Side 1 with an acoustic intro and a funky groove that keeps the toes a tappin’.

Never Say Never has a heavy blues rock vibe with a great swing to it, and as with all the tracks on the album, it has superb harmonies and melody. Just Take My Heart was the last single from the album and the follow up To Be With You and treads the same path. I love Paul Gilbert’s big rock guitar sound on My Kinda Woman. A Little Too Loose has a superb slow blues swagger and Eric Martin’s voice was made for songs like this. Road To Ruin has a killer vibe and superb harmonies and vocals – and what a great chorus! The album closes out with To Be With You, and the band will be dining out on this tune till the end of their days.

They have moments since where they have written killer songs, but this album is their best.

10/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the is the band’s 7th album that was released in 2011. It was the last to feature original drummer, Pat Torpey, as a performing drummer as he was diagnosed with Parkinsons. He sadly succumbed to the disease in 2018.

There are not many bands that can do this type of rock today. Killer musicianship coupled with great songs seems to be in short supply as of late – well everywhere except Sweden. Any band that has Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert in it has to be killer right? This album just smokes right from the off with Undertow. Superb track with a killer melody and groove. American Beauty is Shyboy in disguise, with Paul Gilbert letting loose those killer licks. Eric Martin still looks 18 years old and he possesses one of the finest voices in rock, and Stranger In My Life is all about his voice and the melody. Nobody Left To Blame is a very busy track especially the bass line and groove – it’s just a superb track with an added bonus of a monster guitar solo. Still Ain’t Enough For Me is a straight up fast rock n roll song, where Billy and Paul trade off licks with each other. Side 1 closes out with Once Upon A Time which has a really dirty upbeat blues groove.

As Far As I Can See opens up Side 2 and it’s more of the same – just a great song with a killer groove and superb playing. And that’s how it goes for the rest of the record…This band do not make bad album, and this is such a good record deserving of a home in anyone’s collection.

9/10 from The Grooveman.