Bryan Adams: 11
Friday, 14 Mar 2008 11:22
Bryan Adams: Everything he does, he does it for you.
Polydor, out March 17th.
In a nutshell…
Does what it says on the tin.
What's it all about?
Bryan Adams, the Canadian star who brought us the likes of Please Forgive Me, returns to the studio for an 11th studio album with 11 brand new tunes. He also plans to tour 11 cities in 11 days as part of promotional efforts. The first single is I Thought I'd Seen Everything.
Who's it by?
A musical hero of the 80s and 90s, Bryan Adams returns to his soft rock roots with his 11th studio album of new songs (hence the name). He holds the record for spending no less than 16 weeks at top of the UK singles charts with his hit Everything I Do (I Do It For You).
He's won a Grammy and has been nominated for an Oscar on two occasions. Adams has collaborated with a number of artists, singing with Rod Stewart and Sting on All For Love - for the film The Three Musketeers - and recording duets with the likes of Melanie Chisholm, Barbra Streisand and Bonnie Raitt.
Apart from The Three Musketeers, Adams has also written and performed songs for cinematic productions such as The Guardian, Spirit and Bobby, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Adams was born in Canada to English parents and has been recognised for his musical and philanthropic achievements by being awarded the Order of Canada and an Order of British Columbia.
As an example...
"We found our strength - we found our way at last/We found tomorrow - by building in our past/We paid our dues - we stick together - come whatever." - from We Found What We Were Looking For, which incidentally starts off sounding a bit like U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - only mellower
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
His previous Grammy successes seemed to have been linked to movie soundtracks, so it remains to be seen how - and if - these songs are used on the big screen.
What the others say
"It's a cliche-ridden ride but no less enjoyable for those that buy into the dream." - Chris Jones, BBC
"If you find the Hoosiers a bit too edgy for your tastes, then 11 will sound perfect as it bursts out the car stereo speakers driving down the motorway. For everyone else though, this is probably best left to Bryan's hardcore fan base." - Music OMH
So is it any good?
There are few surprises on 11, with Adams going back to doing what he does best: huskily belt out rather sentimental lyrics with a melody that lends itself to karaoke or air-guitaring.
It works a treat.
Fans who still get a thrill when they hear the likes of Please Forgive Me or the 1993 anthem Everything I Do (I Do It For You) are likely to love this latest offering by vegan activist Adams.
Some may have already heard I Thought I'd Seen Everything, the first single off the album, which is a good indication of the rest of the songs.
There are strong guitar-led tunes - nothing like what Adams rocked the world earlier in his career, though - along with power ballads of love and life and ladies.
It seems as if the cinematic work Adams has been keeping himself busy with has not improved his vocabulary when it comes to lyrics. But rhyming couplets like "I need to breathe you in/Like oxygen" won't offend the majority of listeners, and will probably please a lot of Adams fans.
11 is no Waking up the Neighbours or So Far So Good, but it is... er... quite good. Fans will not be disappointed, and going back to the tried-and-tested hits recipe may prove quite a smart move on Adams' part.
7/10
Karen Moller
"Way of the World is the best track, but it's released as a bonus track... Oxygen and Tonight We Have the Stars follow it... and both aren't ballads!" - Diego Adams
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