Published on Oct 24, 2009
Foreigner was formed in 1977 centered around guitarist Mick Jones and vocalist Lou Gramm. They were an immediate success, with their first four album releases selling a combined 23 million copies. Hit songs such as “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Waiting For A Girl Like You,” and “I Want To Know What Love Is” are still instantly recognizable and continue to receive airplay.
Can’t Slow Down is the first new Foreigner studio album in fifteen years. Mick Jones is now joined by vocalist Kelly Hansen, guitarist Thom Gimbel, keyboardist Michael Bluestein, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer Brian Tichy. Hansen is an excellent vocalist and easily replaces Gramm, while the rest of the crew are professional and competent.
As I listen to the thirteen new songs, I find that as a whole, they represent a very good and ultimately satisfying collection that should please their old fans and maybe win them a few new ones.
This disc is a typical Foreigner mixture of ballads and hard rock. The tracks are all written or co-written by Jones, Hansen, and producer Marti Frederiksen, and are well-constructed. It all adds up to a very satisfying comeback by one of the most popular bands of the 1980s.
Can’t Slow Down is more than just a new studio album, however, as there are two bonus discs which serve to make it a career-spanning release.
Disc two is titled “The Remixes,” presenting ten of their classic tracks in a remastered form. I was surprised to find that they were all the Lou Gramm vocal versions, but as a result, they represent some of the best of the ‘80s. The best part is the clarity of the songs, which is superior to anything I have heard in the past. There is nothing new here, but it’s certainly a welcome upgrade in sound quality.
Disc three is a live DVD from their recent European tour. It shows that the current lineup can be extremely effective and entertaining. Mick Jones may have aged, but he can definitely still play the guitar.
“Double Vision” and “Head Games” get the disc off to a rousing start. “That Was Yesterday,” with Jones on piano, allows Hansen to shine vocally on this building power ballad. The best performance of all may be an acoustic performance of “Say You Will,” complete with wonderful harmonies.
Can’t Slow Down is a satisfying blend of the old, the new, and the live. It not only contains a lot of music – it contains a lot of good music.
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