Customer Reviews

After the Rain

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I know it's easy to write off this band as a cheesy 90's relic or novelty act, but if you can look past the spandex outfits and all that hair, you would see that Nelson released some seriously catchy, high quality melodic rock. Nelson's powerful melodic sound was the logical follow up to the Journey/Foreigner/Loverboy arena rock sound of the 80's. People seem quick to trash that kind of music now, but all of those bands - Nelson included - sold tons of albums back in the day, and you know darn well that when you're caught singing along to the radio in your car, it's going to be one of those band's songs you're belting out!

Say what you will about their image, but the well-crafted, radio-friendly rock songs on Nelson's 1990 debut After the Rain are everything good pop/rock is supposed to be. There are tons of great vocal harmonies, guitar hooks for miles, and all of the energy of a musical scene that was at its highest peak. Sure the end was near, but you wouldn't know it listening to this album. The album's highlight is the title track (which is still one of my favorite songs), but there are plenty of great songs to choose from, including the single (Can't Live without Your) Love and Affection. Even the ballad Only Time Will Tell is a fantastic song.

My only complaint is that After the Rain still hasn't been reissued with digitally remastered sound. The 20th Century Masters: Best of Nelson disc featured higher quality versions of about half of the songs on After the Rain, but I'd love to hear the whole thing remastered.

Laugh if you must, but I am not the least bit ashamed to sing the praises of this album. After the Rain is a first rate melodic rock album, and is perhaps the best example of what the genre had to offer in the late 80's and early 90's.

They say that life is full of little surprises. Well, apparently it's full of big surprises too. I'm shocked at how little fanfare Nelson's After The Rain gets these days. It was certainly popular back when it was new - it sold more than 3 million copies, sparked by the four big hits that came from it: "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" (#1), "After The Rain" (#6), "More Than Ever" (#14), and "Only Time Will Tell" (#28).

Nelson and this album came along when melodic rock was going out of style. The pendulum of music interest was (unfortunately, if you ask me) swinging toward other genres such as grunge rock, like Nirvana. This is why some of you may not know Nelson (they're Ricky Nelson's twin sons) by name.

But if you like melodic rock, I recommend picking up this one for sure. Go to a site and listen to the samples of "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" and "After The Rain" for a great feel of what Nelson's about. Like what you hear? Those are the two best songs on this CD, but the rest are worthy of listening to in your car, home, at a party, or any other places you can come up with. The guitars and vocals combine to form excellent harmonies throughout the entire album.

I have no shame in saying that I'm a big fan of Nelson's, still. I wish they could've came earlier, like in the early-mid 80's so their music would've been even more appreciated. Join me in spreading the word about the greatness that is Nelson's After The Rain.

this album makes the good days of jr high come back. I remember the kids around my school would blast "love and affection" out in the baseball field after school from the big boomboxes they had, now thats a rare memory!You would never see that today! That was before all the rap crossed into our lives and seemed to stay with everyone forever. This is still a great record and I wont ever get tired of it, if you like nice smooth ballads and good skillfull guitar playing then this is for you! I only recomend this record to a music fan who is open minded with interest...enjoy it because the days of music like this returning are doubtful.

This debut cd from Nelson is a must have for any fan of American Rock and Roll. Although these guys took a beating from "critics" as well as the record industry, Matthew and Gunnar Nelson are still selling out concerts in 1999. "After The Rain" is packed with memorable tunes from the inspirational title track to the rocking "Will You Love Me?" The lyrics are positive and the tunes are catchy. This is one cd you do NOT want to miss!

Twin brothers whose father is the late pop superstar Rick Nelson made sensational debut in 1990. LOVE AND AFFECTION became international superhit including Japan where their popularity lingers on even today.

Matthew and Gunner Nelson created eight albums so far including compilation.

AFTER THE RAIN 1990

BECAUSE THEY CAN 1995

IMAGINATOR 1996

SILENCE IS BROKEN 1998

LIFE 1999

LIKE FATHER LIKE SONS 2000

BROTHER HARMONY 2001

20th Century Masters Collection 2004

#Imaginator was to be released between AFTER THE RAIN and BECAUSE THEY CAN

#Brother Harmony was produced between SILENCE IS BROKEN and LIFE.

LOVE AND AFFECTION still is their signature hit but I feel it is overplayed and worn out. For me album starts from I CAN HARDLY WAIT nice catchy song. AFTER THE RAIN is the most impressive and this also must represent NELSON. I requested this song to local FM station twice while raining and right after the rain was over my requested song was on the air! TRACY SONG is a beautiful interlude to connect to the ONLY TIME WILL TELL another great song. DESIRE is the typical of Roller-Coaster rockin' style of the twin brothers.

Japanese version also have two more songs TOO MANY DREAMS and KEEP ONE HEART. Serious Nelson fans should find it if any.

Verdict: Catchy and well-directed debut.

Rating: 91 out of 100

Recommended for 80s and early 90s pop rock fans.

If you like late 80's, early 90's pop-rock, you will love this album! The songs are all really catchy and fun. The musicianship is really good and the music flows. My only complaint is the over use of a few cliche's. 'Love and affection' will be a song I will listen to for a long time. You can't help but sing along! I also think the guitar playing is especially tasteful, without just being a 'speed merchant'.

This was the only successful album by Nelson, a pair of brothers Matt and Gunner Nelson. Contains a number of hit singles including Love and Affection. To make a career in music, you need to be an 80s hair band or be forced to slumping sales and retirement. It's somewhere between hard rock and country. I like it.

Back in '90 when this album came out, I was a 12 year old fan who played my Nelson cassette until I wore it out. (Thankfully I had made extra copies..)I don't know how much I knew at 12 but I knew that I LOVED that tape, those guys, and the songs. After 10 years of waiting I finally got to see Nelson live in concert a few weeks ago (it was amazing!) and finally purchased After The Rain on CD. These songs are catchy, upbeat, and fun. They remind me of how simple yet fun it was to be 12 years old and the best part is they are ageless. I can still play it as loud as I did back then and it never dawns on me how old these songs are. My personal favorite track is "More Than Ever" because it never fails to make me smile or sing it at the top of my lungs. I was a fan at 12, I'm a fan at 22, and I will be a fan for as long as these guys make music because they are just awesome. If you don't already have it, GET THIS CD!! You won't regret it.

I've had the pleasure on seeing Nelson live, I LOVED it.They never back down from critics, I think that when people say bad things about bands or the musicians that are in certain bands, it sure seems as if the bands work harder to prove the critics wrong. So, more power to Nelson! I've been a fan since day 1, I'll be a fan for the rest of my life.

ALl I can say is I love this Cd!! I miss this kind of music these days when everything is teenage boy/girl groups. I have seen this band way back in 1991 when House of Lords opened. Another great band. I love the harmonies and keyboards. And the good ol' fashioned rock guitar. Not to mention the amazing playing of Bobby Rock on drums. Buy this Cd it is great. Oh and by the way. It is GUNNAR not Gunner. A fan from PA