Because They Can [Original recording reissued]

Nelson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 12, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000000P0T
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,689 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Slow start, July 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Because They Can (Audio CD)

I loved "After the Rain" (I own five copies of the cassette), so after the positive reviews, I was sure I'd love this one as well. After the first five songs, I was thinking I should give the cd to my country-music sister. Considering the reasonable price, it was probably worth the money... half the songs for half the price. "Won't Walk Away" was excellent and their instrumentals are always a joy, but it didn't live up to my expectations.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh yes they can, July 12, 2001

By 

Beth (mn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because They Can (Audio CD)

I love this album. I love all their albums. I had a dubbed tape version of this album(I know I am evil) because I didn't know where to find it. When my cd collection ballooned, I forgot about all my poor little tapes, even the good ones, like this. I found the tape and immediately ordered the cd, remembering how much I loved these guys and their music. Originally, Imaginator was their second album but Geffen wanted After the Rain II. They came as close to it, without replicating it completely. If you liked their debut, you will love their "sophomore" effort.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful departure, January 6, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Because They Can (Audio CD)

It took five years for Nelson to finally issue a follow-up to their best-selling 1990 debut After the Rain, and by the time 1995's Because They Can was released, the musical climate had taken a dramatic shift. Radio and MTV were no longer interested in Nelson's brand of pretty boy pop metal, instead doting over the latest mopey alterna-rockers. I suppose there was no way for Nelson to win, but you have to give them credit for what they came up with for this album.

Because They Can isn't the catchy, melodic arena rock of After the Rain, nor is it some weak attempt to pass themselves off as grunge. Instead the Nelson brothers - sons of the late Ricky Nelson - came up with an album that played to their strengths as singers as well as songwriters. Because They Can is probably best described as adult contemporary or AOR. It's very laid back, with almost acoustic guitar strumming replacing power chords and substance replacing flash. With a little more twang it could even be a passable country album. The change in styles was drastic, and I confess I was disappointed at first, but after a few spins the album really grew on me. It's a very melodic album, and the signature Nelson vocal harmonies are just as amazing here as they were on the debut. If anything, the mellow nature of Because They Can makes the vocals stand out that much more. The songwriting is also much improved. There are some very beautiful, very moving songs on this album, "Cross My Broken Heart", "(You Got Me) All Shook Up" and "Nobody Wins In the End" to name a few.

If you go into this album not expecting another After the Rain, you should find Because They Can a very enjoyable album. I still prefer the more bombastic rocking sound of After the Rain (and later albums like Imaginator), but there are times when a laid back album like this is exactly what I need to hear.