Customer Reviews

Back to the Rhythm

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Great White pulls off a highly enjoyable return to their roots in this, one of their most consistently solid efforts to date. Disclaimer: I'm not a diehard fan of GW and own about half their albums. This instantly became my favorite due mostly to lack of filler. I'd rather have 12 strong songs that I enjoy straight through than 7 great ones and 5 clunkers, for example.

The insert is everything you'd imagine; obligatory thank you's, credits, a pic of the band and the always welcomed lyrics section. There is also a classy nod/dedication to the victims and survivors of the infamous "Station Fire." I don't know if any proceeds from the album go to a fund but that's beside the point. Back to the review!

Back To The Rhythm: Love it! It's the "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" of the album for me. Classic GW keyboard/guitar jam and fast-paced. Solid opener and a highlight. I dug the version released on their "Thank You, Goodnight" album and am pleased to see it's inclusion here.
Here Goes My Head Again: Co-penned by Jack Blades and Michael Lardie, another winner! Upbeat and catchy.
Take Me Down: Heavier, bluesier, more plodding but still enjoyable. This one was co-written by all the GW bros in the current lineup and took a few listens to grow on me. However, it did, and I'm diggin' it.
Play On: Another highlight! Also, featured on "Thank You, Goodnight," and I'm elated to see it appear here. The studio version found on BTTR is a little funkier in places and the keys are prominent. Fantastic!
Was It The Night: Sad love songs. Something about sad, bluesy love songs. I just like 'em. Another thumbs up!
I'm Alive: Well executed, positive love song.
Still Hungry: Didn't make a strong first impression. However, it wasn't bad either. Fast-paced. I'd have rather seen the "30 Days In The Hole" cover they're using on the European version... It's just somewhat trite and the lyrics seem very "80's" to me. Didn't White Lion and Winger already do this? grin
Standin' On The Edge: Back to something cool! I love it, classic GW. Mark and Michael definitely have chemistry on these uptempto groovy numbers.
How Far Is Heaven: In my top 3 favorites! Very nice ballad dealing with mortality. Poignant and masterfully done.
Neighborhood: Uptempto but not as catchy as the others. I'm sure it'll get better with additional listens. Lyrics are good!
Cold World: Mark Kendall is definitely an underrated guitarist. I really dig this riff-heavy song. Dark, bluesy, not a standout but not filler.
Just Yesterday: A tribute and reflection on times gone by for a 20+ year veteran band. Slow, intricate guitarwork and a very nice vocal from Jack. Great closer!

I don't like to take the time much anymore to write reviews. It's fun but I have no idea how many people read or appreciate them. But this cd deserves as much acclaim as it can get. The vocals, song-writing and musicianship are all top notch here. It won't change the world but it is certainly more enjoyable than most of the "current rock" I hear nowadays. 12 kudos to GW!

Lastly, I have no illusions about GW not being a "hairband." They don't either; just look at the VH1 compilations they participate in. I think the term "hairband" has a negative connotation when it shouldn't. I'm always seeing fans of GW, Cinderella, Tesla and others talk about how much better they are than their "contemporaries" and how they shouldn't be categorized the same. Honestly, the genre was and is still pretty darn cool. There are just as many GW's and Tesla's in it as there are Poison's, Ratt's and Warrant's (all of which I enjoy, for the record!). So, just enjoy the music, turn it up and don't worry about the justifiable "hairband" tag that goes with it. Just bang your heads proudly and raise your glasses! And when the ballads kick in, hold your lighters high and make out with your chick. Call it Rock n' Roll!

I'd forgotten how much I miss rock the way it was played back in the 80s. Back then I worshipped bands like Ratt, Guns n' Roses, Motley Crue and Def Leppard. I remember liking Great White's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" but didn't have any of their albums (yes, back then we had the vinyl and maybe a cassette or two). This summer, I threw a huge 80s party and reconnected with the music I loved. I found myself really drawn to the blues-rock that Great White features; when I found they were releasing a new CD I preordered it immediately. I've not regretted the purchase. These guys still know how to rock! Give them a chance and I think you'll love what they have to offer!

If you're a fan of GW, then this whole album is very familiar. There aren't really any surprises, just more good solid content that is mostly in a similar style as some of their previous work. Overall, the album takes a little more relaxed, mature tone as opposed to being a hard-rocking album all the way through. It has it's strong tracks and not so strong ones too, but overall it's worth buying if you have previously enjoyed the GW sound. How many good ROCK albums are made these days anyway? Not many. If you enjoy traditional rock performed by skilled musicians, the rarity of that these days makes it worth purchasing all by itself - support the craft.

This is as good as the "Can't Get There" album, and probably their best recording since 1992's "Psycho City". If you like their brand of blues-based hard rock, you will NOT be disappointed with this one. Standouts include the title track, "here goes my head again", and "standin' on the edge", but the whole album is particularly strong. No overly-modern or brand new style here, this is Great White simply doing more of what they've always done best.

These guys can still rock, as this effort proves, and I certainly hope they stick around for a long time.

To think that these guys were and still are grouped with the like of Ratt, Poison and Warrant never made sense to me. if anything I'd group them with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and maybe even the Black Crows or the Allman Brothers. I guess it was the time and how GW still tours with bands of the mid to late 80's pop metal scene.

At the start of thier career thier sound was stright ahead hard rock ala AC/DC. A few years later they add a little more keyboard sound and also a bluey feeling to the Albums like Once Bitten and Shot in the Dark. By the time 1989 came they were huge stars and the the Platinum ...Twice Shy they even had a top ten hit with the Ian Hunter cover (most people don't even know it was or is a cover) Once Bitten, Twice Shy. i would consider that record today to be a classic. Now by 1991 when Hooked was released, I have to admit that in 1991 at the age of 16 I really only liked a few of the tracks on Hooked. Aside from Call it Rock and Roll, Can't Shake it and Desert Moon, the whole record was very different and looking back today, I'm glad it was. In the years to come the band released 3 or 4 more great records that didn't hit well with the public and that is fine.

Now 2007 the new release Back to the Rhythm picks up where the last few left off. Great Guitar work from Mark Kendell, supurb vocals from Jack Russell (as good as he was on teh last solo album For You) Song writing lacks in some areas, but that is really the only flaw I have found and that is just my opinion. Play On should remain as a Great White concert staple as well as the Title Track being that it picks up where Twice Shy left off and the best part is that they wrote this one!

The best thing I could say is if your a Great White fan or not, you will NOT be disapointed with this CD.

What a pleasure it is to hear a new Great White album! I went out and bought this immediately - and it is everything I thought it would be. A fun, rocking, blues-based hard rock CD - great for old fans and hopefully some new ones too. 'Still Hungry' echos eeriely of their 80's heyday, but the lyrics reflect the tough times these guys have been through recently. 'Cold World' has a great hypnotic chorus - with a 90's-ish feel. The title track is just great ride, welcoming all of us back to the fold. I'm so happy to hear Jack Russell and Mark Kendall rocking like they've never stopped. Jack's voice still sounds amazing - his soft purr or scream of a voice somewhere between Vince Neil and Robert Plant. This is a MUST HAVE for any fan of 80's rock or metal. If these guys can keep rocking even after the hardships they faced in 2003 - it shows something about the power of rock n roll. PS: They also dedicate the albums to the victims of the tragic 2003 fire in Rhode Island. I'm just glad they kept it together and their love of music is still going strong. We could use a little Great White music in 2007!

Just saw them last night at JAXX. There were incredible. Hard to believe after 25 years that they are still that good. Absolutely flawless!
They played some of the new songs on the CD, so I picked it up. The rest of the songs are as good if not better than the ones they played last night.
Great Band - and GREAT CD!

Great White continues to carry the torch for true rock fans out there! GW were never pretenders and on their latest effort they don't disappoint! This is exactly what you want from a GW album. Honest, straight-forward rock and roll. To the guys in the band, please keep it coming!! For anyone wondering, the album is very tenderly dedicated to those affected by the tragic fire at the bands show in West Warwick, RI back in 2003.

It's playing in the CD player right now. Like the review line above says, the sound is just classic Great White. If you like their bluesy brand of rock and roll, you won't be disappointed. A lot of the songs seem to remind me of other past popular song from the guys. "Back to the Rhythm" reminds me of "Call It Rock and Roll" and would've demanded air play in an earlier day. All through the album, their sound is pure Great White with that sound that is always very musical without any of that uncomfortable feeling of lesser bands who have to put effort into making their songs flow. As usual, their music just seems to flow with even my less favorite songs still sounding good enough that I don't feel the need to skip to the next song. I can just imagine people taking individual songs and citing "rip offs" of past songs, but it's just their style of making music. Love it or leave it. I love it and will continue to buy any future releases.

Ok I have been a huge Great White fan form the "shot in the dark days" so I know their music. This CD is good with a few of their best songs to date. "Was it the Night" is a amazing song that brings me back to Phycho City sound. : "now that was an amazing cd". Here goes my head again is another great song and Just Yesterday really hits home. Not their best cd but has some ture gems for any great white fan to enjoy.