Published on Dec 3, 1999
If you’ve seen the
South Park movie, you know that Canada has already
apologized for sending us Bryan Adams. I don’t know when exactly
that was, but they probably were asked to apologize some more after
he released this album. After years of released radio-ready hits
for soundtracks, Adams got together with songwriter/producer Robert
John “Mutt” Lange to craft this disc. Clearly Adams tries to prove
that he is still capable of rocking and pleasing his fans in the
era of Modern Rock and Hip-Hop. This is his attempt at getting with
the times and, at the same time, keep a well-placed finger right on
what has kept his career going – his radio-friendliness.
18 Till I Die starts with the long-named “The Only Thing
That Looks Good On Me Is You.” This song makes references to Gucci
and Armani within its first verses to make certain that people
recognize Adams knows what is cool at the moment. Nevertheless,
this pop/rock ditty is one of the more engaging to be found here.
In fact, the better songs are easily engagable and acceptable. In
that number you can count “Let’s Make A Night To Remember” – a
pretty decent ballad – and “We’re Gonna Win” – a quick rocker that
would have been even better if the whoa-whoas at the end had been
removed.
There’s also some pretty decent tracks here. “You’re Still
Beautiful To Me” is another decent ballad. “I’ll Always Be Right
There” is passable – wasn’t this in a movie somewhere? “Star” was
horrible the first time I heard it, but it gets better after a few
listens. “You’re Still Beautiful To Me” isn’t great, but is better
than others. And “(I Wanna Be Your) Underwear” is a like a cheap,
thirteen-year-old’s joke. So if you like that, you’ll like this. (I
do).
Then, there’s some songs that fall flat on their faces. “Do To
You” is standard Adams/Lange fare and that isn’t great. The title
track makes me want to grab Adams and force him to admit that the
1980s are over. “I Think About You” is a by-the-numbers ballad. “It
Ain’t A Party-If You Can’t Come Around” mixes honky-tonk twang
(probably a twang that got away from Shania Twain’s albums), but it
doesn’t improve the song. “Black Pearl,” meanwhile, was alright the
first time I heard it – when it was called “Brown Sugar.” (Sorry,
saw David Spade’s Hollywood Minute skit on a
Saturday Night Live repeat).
The last song in this album is probably the best song here. I’m
very sure they added “Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman?” after it
became a big hit on its own. The flamenco influences predate even
the big Latin Explosion of 1999 – proving Adams was one step ahead
of one thing. They add a great touch to a decent song and make it
worthwhile. (Though if you want it, get the
Don Juan DeMarco soundtrack. It’s a better choice.)
There isn’t much in this album to be thrilled with. If you are a
longtime fan of Adams, then you will like this album. Everyone else
has been warned. Though there are a few good moments, I’d avoid
this one… unless you like radio-ready soft rock. (There’s
something else Canada should apologize for.)