Bryan Adams still cuts like a knife
Never thought I'd be saying this, but where has Bryan Adams been when we needed him most?
Actually the answer is Europe, where a musician can still butter his bread with just a guitar and a microphone. No fancy beat-box producers required -- or wanted.
Now the rest of us can enjoy the fruits of his travels: Adams' new CD -- "11" -- hits Wal-Mart on May 13 (another exclusive deal for the mega-mart). However, the disc has already been released in Europe and is available as an import from the usual online vendors for those who don't want to wait.
Don't worry about hurting the laid-back Canadian's feelings either way. Adams seems comfortable out of the hottest spotlights, chugging along since his 1980 self-titled debut. Hard to believe it would take him four years to get his first big break on the charts with 1984's "Lonely Nights." Still, his patience has paid off with 21 top 10 hits and 65 million records sold.
So what does the new disc offer? Some quick highlights:
OUT OF LOVE: Adams is at his best when singing about the highs and lows of the heart. "Something to Believe In" laments the total loss of faith when a lover leaves him emotionally stranded: "Cruel twist of fate keepin' me awake when I need to sleep to take away the hurtin'." Been there, done that. And it still aches to hear it again.
BACK IN LOVE: How Bryan can flip the switch from the beautiful and necessary misery of heartache and suddenly crank out an epic celebration like "She's Got a Way" is the key to his career: "Whenever she touches me, no one else can feel, as much as me."
EUROPEAN INFLUENCE: According to the press kit, the album was recorded in hotel rooms and backstage at concert venues in Europe over the last two years. The result: a clean, retro feel totally devoid of today's electronic influenza.
A LITTLE HELP FROM A FRIEND: Though "11" is mostly produced solely by Adams, uber-produer "Mutt" Lange (Def Leppard, AC/DC, The Cars) joins back up with him for "I Thought I'd Seen Everything" and "We Found What We Were Looking For."
CATCH HIM LIVE: Adams is doing only a short 15-city tour across the U.S. in May to promote the new album. (One show lands in Orlando, Fla.) Check out his official website for dates and locations.
BUY OR NO BUY: First answer these questions: Did you like the latest offerings by REO Speedwagon, Loverboy, R.E.M.? Then give this disc a chance. On the other hand, are you listening to the new Madonna CD for the 10th time in three days? Stay away ... stay far, far away. Not even Bryan Adams can help you.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I had to giggle at the last two lines in this post.
Posted by: Marissa | April 30, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Somewhat related: There is a new ad campaign for Guess featuring a Sophia Loren look-alike. The photographer is Bryan Adams.
The photos are absolutely stunning. They almost make up for the horror that resulted from his collaboration with Rod Stewart and Sting for The Three Musketeers.
Almost.
Posted by: Tonianne | April 30, 2008 at 09:03 AM
I just had a press release about that commercial. I believe Bryan Adams donated his fee for that to charity.
Posted by: Spears | April 30, 2008 at 09:06 AM
When I saw the credit for the ad photos in Vogue I thought, "Huh? no way!" Truly great pics. The woman is stunning and shockingly resembles Ms. Loren.
Posted by: Marissa | April 30, 2008 at 09:11 AM
I don't need to read Vogue, but I always thought it was hilarious that years later he came out and said "The Summer of 69" was really about simultaneous reciprocal oral satisfaction. (those are my words, I was trying to clean it up) I believe he said something to the effect that "there was a lot of that going on that summer". Was he joking? Probably. But still...
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | April 30, 2008 at 09:24 AM
RE: "simultaneous reciprocal oral satisfaction"
I'm so stealing this, Douglas.
Posted by: Tonianne | April 30, 2008 at 09:32 AM
bryan adams is one of my favorites. i saw him on the def leppard tour a few years ago, he was great as usual. ive heard samples of his newest cd, its mostly mid-tempo stuff. i just wish bryan would rock it out again. take a cue from leppard, their new cd rocks. by the way, summer of 69 is probably my fav adams tune.
Posted by: chad | April 30, 2008 at 09:54 AM
Feel free Tonianne! I am but a humble court jester tossing off bon mots to the masses...or maybe i am just tossing off...but that is another issue altogether. :)
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | April 30, 2008 at 09:54 AM
By the way, I'm listening the new Night Ranger CD (Hole in the Sun) right now. Great rock-out CD. I should have a review soon.
Posted by: Spears | April 30, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Bon Mots to the Masses = my next pretend band name.
Simultaneous Reciprocal Oral Satisfaction = the hook line to our first single
On topic: I've always dug Bryan Adams' voice -- that raspy, sexy tone is quite appealing.
Posted by: jane | April 30, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Jane - that's a bit of a mouthful for a hook, no?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I'll go sit in the corner now.
Posted by: Tonianne | April 30, 2008 at 10:15 AM
Not necessarily, my friend...
(Move over, lovey, 'cause with that one, I'm coming to join you in the corner. I'll bring the refreshments.)
Posted by: jane | April 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
steve
hole in the sun is quite good. my favs, whatever happened, tell your vision, there is life, drama queen, white knuckle ride. its a little different soundwise, but it has that great night ranger vibe.
Posted by: chad | April 30, 2008 at 10:26 AM
Hey ladies,
isn't it a bit early to be feeling so frisky? It is my fault, and I do apologize. :)
Actually it is funny, one of my fallbacks when i was doing my weekly comic strip back in the 90's was a feature I called, the Book Of Band Names. On weeks when I was having trouble coming up with a valid idea, I would trot this out and just make a list of funny band names (which is where The Flaming Schwarzkopf Experience came from)...so I am full of names.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | April 30, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Aw, Douglas, no apologies necessary. Apparently my organic energy drink has kicked in -- ergo the creative friskiness.
And I for one would dig hearing some of those band names... you never know when you might be asked to put one together.
PS: I'm also loving the name of Mr. Adams' album. Not only is it the same as one of my faves (the Smithereens' 11) but it's one louder than 10. And that's never a bad thing.
Posted by: jane | April 30, 2008 at 11:03 AM
I thought it might be his Eleventh Album, but the Spinal Tap reference is a good note. Bryan Adams is one of those guys whose music is not really my cup of tea, but I appreciate him as a person due to interviews and articles I've read where he comes across as very likeable.
Someday I'll dig out the bad names again. Maybe even make up some new ones. Once you get going they flow like water.
Posted by: Douglas Arthur | April 30, 2008 at 11:42 AM
I don't think I've owned any Bryan Adams albums, but there are at least 2 or 3 good songs of this CD worth paying for the downloads. It's just a nice change of pace.
I used to have a theory, which I think I wrote about on the blog before, that Bryan Adams blends so much into the background when playing on the car radio that you don't even notice him. Hence, my phrase when you do suddenly realize it: "Hey, your Bryan Adams is unzipped."
Posted by: Spears | April 30, 2008 at 12:00 PM
So THAT's what Erica Jong was getting at in Fear of Flying.
Posted by: Tonianne | April 30, 2008 at 12:19 PM
I always liked Bryan Adams, but never got any of the stuff he did in the 90's and beyond. I might have to check out the new disc. my favorite Adams tune is 'Lonely Nights'. He's not even coming to Chicago on his tour, in fact, his only mid-west stop is Minneapolis. Bummer.
Posted by: Bassnote | April 30, 2008 at 12:24 PM
And all this time I was looking for that unicorn...
(I know. Back to the corner with me.)
Posted by: jane | April 30, 2008 at 12:27 PM
I never have understood why some people choose to hack on him. His first greatest hits disk, top to bottom, is fantastic. Sure, he had some cheesy stuff since that Robin Hood movie, but overall he's a plus, especially if you're just looking at the 80s catalogue.
Why is it Celine Dion keeps making a comeback, but he stays hidden?
Posted by: Walter Cox | April 30, 2008 at 01:31 PM
Steve, come on. Bryan's stuff from the '80's is not in the background.
Fits Ya Good?
Kids Wanna Rock?
Come on!
Posted by: Al | April 30, 2008 at 01:49 PM
P.S. Could I have some help tracking down Stu Jefferies? I'd really appreciate it.
Posted by: Al | April 30, 2008 at 01:50 PM
Spears, I agree Bryan Adams and Phil Collins fit into that, hey, I am listening to their song and I don't even realize it. They both have a ton of hits but nothing that ever made me want to run out and buy the album.
Posted by: Neil | April 30, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Al -- They once had Stu's e-mail address on this page: http://www.ezrock.com/shows/500340
Posted by: Spears | April 30, 2008 at 02:49 PM
Thanks Steven Q. Spears!
"Y'know cool is the rule, but sometimes bad is bad!"
Posted by: Al | April 30, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Bryan has been my favorite since "Cuts Like A Knife". I have all of his CD's. He has done well even though he gets no airplay in the U.S. It's our lose since he has had some great stuff. I would like to hear him Rock more like "Cuts", 69, or Waking Up the Neighbours".
Posted by: SCOTT | May 01, 2008 at 01:34 PM
I saw Bryan with Def Leppard a few years ago also. He put on a good show. Actually, got the crowd involved.
Posted by: C | May 04, 2008 at 02:43 AM
We're going to try to get Bryan on the show. It'll be tough since he's not touring in Florida.
Posted by: Spearsy | May 04, 2008 at 08:07 AM