Mr. Big - ...The Stories We Could Tell (Album Review)
Wednesday, 01 October 2014
Written by Simon Ramsay
Apart from Scorpions’ Wind Of Change, rarely has a rock band been as misrepresented by one of their songs as Mr. Big were by 1991’s mega hit, To Be With You. Although that acoustic ballad made them a household name, it was far removed from the hook-laden, quirky hard-rock that characterised much of their work. Over two decades later, those skills remain as sharp as ever on this uplifting eighth studio album.
Following an overwhelming number of requests from their fans, the original line-up of Mr. Big reformed in 2009 after a seven year hiatus. What initially began as a tour soon blossomed into 2011’s 'What If', a new studio album that, while featuring a superb collection of songs and some instrumental brilliance, was marred by Kevin Shirley's muddy production.
This time out, Pat Regan takes the producer’s chair and adds the requisite high-end sparkle, while Eric Martin's simmering vocal rasp - which suffered under Shirley - is thankfully back to its vibrant, soulful best. Here he delivers a string of contagious choruses on an album that packs a more 'classic' sonic punch.
That shift in dynamics also reflects a marked change in the band's mood. Where 'What If' was an angry, lyrically dark album, '...The Stories We Could Tell' delivers a largely positive spin on battle scars, pivotal moments and relationships with world-worn optimism.
That's encapsulated in the chugging, melodically sumptuous Fragile, where Martin draws redemption from the ashes of addiction. The kicking, harmony laden riff and galloping groove of Gotta Love The Ride – which preaches the thrill of the journey over the destination - and the bright-new-day epiphany of I Forget To Breathe also pack rousing hooks.
Sadly, drummer Pat Torpey will step aside for the band’s forthcoming tour after recently announcing that he's suffering with Parkinson's disease. Here, his interplay with bassist Billy Sheehan is dialled down in favour of tightly packed rhythms as the album's backbone.
From that base, guitar maestro Paul Gilbert is absolutely on fire. Even at this stage in his career, he still solos with the unbridled joy of an awestruck kid let loose in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. In fact, the funky Monster In Me, with its mad scientist grooves and catchy cadence, is Gilbert incarnate. This offering is built around his ‘70s-stylebluesy hard-rock riffs, but filtered through Gilbert's brain, producing a giddy, bug-eyed, effervescent sound that's worlds away from the likes of Joe Bonamassa.
Even though the aforementioned hit gave a false impression of Mr Big, they've always crafted great ballads. The Man Who Has Everything, East/West and Just let Your Heart Decide fulfil that quota on this album, and they're lighter-waving gems of the highest calibre.
Towards its tail end the album runs out of steam with three numbers that, although good songs, feel repetitive in style and tempo. It also lacks one show-stopping moment in the vein of Undertow or Green-Tinted Sixties Mind. But, given Torpey's health problems and the thematic feeling of reflection, it's to be wondered if this is the band's swansong. If so, they would go out on a high note with one of the finest albums of an impressive and underrated career.
Mr Big Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri October 17 2014 - LONDON KOKO
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