On a Day Like Today

Bryan Adams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 27, 1998)
• Original Release Date: October 27, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: A&M
• ASIN: B00000DC4A
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (71 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Entertainment Weekly

Adams' new restraint energizes this gently jangling material.

Product Description

Adams' 1998 studio album return put him back on solid ground on the charts in the US and became a best seller in Europe as well, spurred on the by the release of a Chicane remix of the single "Cloud #9" and the duet with Sporty Spice (Melanie C) "When You're Gone", a song that sounded very much like vintage Squeeze in style. This edition adds "Lie To Me", a song not on the US equivalent. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't overlook this album, October 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On a Day Like Today (Audio CD)

If you really liked 18 Til I Die, then at first you might be a little disappointed with this album, or make that a lot... that's how I felt. It just didn't have that same melodic edge or the songwriting as the previous one. But for some reason it really grew on me, to a point where I actually like this one more. Songs like "How Do Ya Feel Tonight," "C'mon C'mon C'mon," and "On a Day Like Today" are simply amazing, and get even better the more you listen. Buy this CD and if you don't like it right away, listen to it while you drive at night and it will really grab you. It's a perfect album for the road.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple words---its a mature bryan adams, June 16, 2005

By 

S. Kakulla - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: On a Day Like Today (Audio CD)

I have been listening to brayan since my college days...you know one of those high hormone times when you are fighting yourself :o) and your music is more about passion (or things similar) than any thing else.

Now what I am gonna say might surprise or even offend a lot of people but I think this is the most mature composition that ever came out of bryan. Its one of those CDs that you just pop in and listen to every song not just one or two tracks. I rate the CD based on Lyrics, Music and the effect both have and this collection is the first time perfect blend of bryans husky voice, great guitar and simple realistic lyrics. To some they may not invoke a lot of passion...but hey Pink floyds Wall was a big hit (infact my fav too) i dont think it had passion instead it had sense. This is some thing similar. Its a maturing bryan singing more realistic songs ... thats all... :o)

my suggestion is if you liked his other albums ...chances that you will like this one are high ...chances that you will find it passionate I would say would be 30(Y)-60(N)....I would say give it a shot see how he has changed in all these years....:o)

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adult Contemporary Adams - but less 'Personal Passion', May 21, 2004

By 

L.A. Scene (Indian Trail, NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On a Day Like Today (Audio CD)

Bryan Adams' "On A Day Like Today" again marked a new chapter in a legendary career. In the 80s, Bryan did some great work on albums such as "Cuts Like a Knife", his signature album "Reckless", his deep album "Into the Fire", and his commerically successful "Waking Up The Neighbours". Following that string of 4 albums, Bryan released "18 Til I Die" which really didn't achieve the glory of those past 4 albums. His next Studio album was this one and unfortunately, this album keeps Bryan Adams stagnent and makes me wonder if he will ever achieve the heights he had in the 80s.

Like "18 Til I Die" this is not a terrible album, but it just doesn't reach the high standards set by Bryan Adams in the past. Unlike "18 Til I Die" which was an album in which Bryan Adams had a "Mid Life Crisis and Youthful resurgance", this album goes back toward a more mature Bryan Adams. I can best describe this as his "Adult Contemporary Album". Most of the songs could easily be played on an "Adult Contemporary" or "Mix" station. A big change on this album is the absence of Robert "Mutt" Lange (Mr Shania Twain). Lange was a major contributer from a musicianship, songwriting, and production standpoint on the last 2 albums. Lange was never able to achieve the great songwriting that Bryan had with Jim Vallance in the 80s, but didn't do a bad job. The replacement for Lange was producer Phil Thornalley. Thornalley also co-writes some songs with Bryan. The other main co-writer with Bryan is Gretchen Peters whom Bryan worked with on the "Unplugged" live album. As for the Adams Band - Mickey Curry, Dave Taylor, and Keith Scott are all back. Gone is keyboardist Tommy Mandel.

So what doesn't help this album reach the bar that Adams has set. My big feel is that many of the songs lack the personal passion that Bryan brought on all of his albums up until this one. There are 4 songs ("Before the Night Is Over", "I Don't Wanna Live Forever", "When You're Gone", and "Cmon Cmon Cmon") on this album that do show the old passion, but for the most part it does lack the personal passion. Especially the title track "On a Day Like Today" - I thought one of the weakest tracks on the album was picked as the title song. The song does nothing to stick in my mind. It is really the four songs I list above which really carry the album as a whole.

"Before the Night Is Over" has almost a feel from "Reckless" to it. It is the strongest song on the album. Just from the opening chords and lines "Hey Baby". If I were the record company and Adams, this would have been the single I released. "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" quick tempo to it and has some great raspy vocals and harmonies, although it doesn't quite have a feel from "Reckless" (this song really stands more on its own as opposed to comparing to past works. "Cmon Cmon Cmon" has a very 90s feel to it and it almost reminds me of "Rock On" and kind of reminds me of a much softer and more mature version of Michael Damian's "Rock On".

"When You're Gone" is the most interesting and eye-catching song. The reason is that Melanie C from the Spice Girls (better known by her Spice Girl persona 'Sporty Spice'). This song starts with almost a retro Beach Boys start. Don't let the Spice Girls connection shy you away from this song. Melanie C holds her own in this song and blends her harmonies beautifully with Bryan on this song. Melanie C basically does background vocals for the entire song and my only complaint is I would have liked to hear her get a little more of a solo (she does get a couple of solo lines). I give Bryan credit for not being afraid to put a Spice Girl on one of his albums.

So Bryan Adams will go the Adult Contemporary Route marking another chapter in what is sure to be a Hall of Fame Career. This won't be one of his albums that gets him into the Hall of Fame, but it won't prevent him from getting in.