Customer Reviews

Extra Innings

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

For those of you who declared the early reviews invalid - you are mistaken... this album came out under a different title in 1998 and was available at Outfield concerts. It was only until this year it was re-issued under the "Extra Innings" title. 12 of the songs are from the original "It Ain't Over" CD with 3 new one's added and a remix of "Lay Down". For those of you who like the Outfield sound - and you wouldn't be here if you didn't - it's more of what you came to love in the 80's. I know I did. Not their best, by far, but pleasant listening and a worthy "comeback" album.

Since 1985, The Outfield has been churning out great record after great record, and Extra Innings is no different. This is their first studio release since 1992, but there's no rust to be found anywhere. They still exhibit the same fundamentals they've always shown - solid beats, great (and underrated) guitar work, melodious harmonies, and an overall tight sound. In an age where style often displaces substance, The Outfield remains true to itself, concerning itself with the music, first and foremost. Some of the more noteworthy selections include, "Kiss the Rain", "A Certain Kind of Love", and "Girl of Mine". While these are my personal favorites from this CD, the whole thing is solid from start to end. If you have always liked The Outfield, then you shouldn't miss this album. You'll see that they never left. If you enjoy '80s music in general, but you want some fresh music instead of the stuff you always listen to, get this disc. As they stated on their '98 tour, "It Ain't Over!"

I Can't believe all the other reviewers did not comment on "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend"! I've been a HUGE fan of the outfield (but willing to admit when a cd is not for everyone, i.e. diamond days - which I liked, but not all fans will) for quite some time now. Like many other people, they went from the band that sang the "Josie" song to the band that sang nothing but hits (and play great concerts - but they need to go out on their own rather than all these compilation concerts)! "Chic Lorraine," "Out to Lunch,"Talkin About Us,"Girl Of Mine," and "Midnight Moves" are definite recommendations for the classic Outfield fans, but "My Girlfriend's Girlfriend" is in a league of its own - classic beat, but new, almost comedic twist to this one! If anyone has seen the movie "Wild Things," this could have been the theme song! Crazy movie (in this case, song) with Crazy Twists! Very Highly recommended.

Actually the phrase "they're back" is probably not the right thing to say since they never really went away. But to have new material from this awesome trio of musicians is a blessing that this Outfield fan was glad to hear. Notable tunes on this disc are "Heavan's Little Angel", "Kiss the Rain", "Dance the Night Away" and many more. The group sticks to the sound that brought them to the world's attention back in 1985 and deliver a solid hour of rock that only they know how to do. And guys...thanks for putting Simon on the cover.

So in the late 1990's this record label called Platinum Entertainment starts releasing older artists with an established track record-as well as new artists that have a more traditional rock, country or Gospel sound. On the roster in 1999 was this gem from the Outfield.

A compilation of 15 tunes from 1993 to 1999, this CD is quite literally their most front to back collection. All the songs have that trademark Outfield sound-great harmonies, jangly guitars and superb melodies. Simon Dawson is now the full time drummer. The band has gone a little more techno (a la voices of Babylon era) and sounds a little less punky. But their AC leanings pay off in huge ways on "It's A Crime" and "Heaven's Little Angel" where the power of their style is mixed with a subtle melody. There are some real "Your Love" type songs here as well though. "Lay Down" kicks in with a sonic vocal treatment that will surround your ears. "Certain Kind Of Love" has some chunky riffs that augment a cool keyboard sequence. And there are surprises too. The Corey Heart keyboard intro to "Kiss The Rain" is a different twist on a power rocker. "Girl Of Mine" features a harmony intro that's made for radio...

And while we're on that topic, there's so much radio fodder here that all you do is hit shuffle and wait. They're all that good. Which brings us back to Voices of Babylon. The worst lead off Outfield single ever-and the one that slowed or even killed their career. The single should have been "My Paradise" which to date is my favorite Outfield song from that same album(VOB). "Chic Lorraine" has a "Why Can't This Be Love (VH)" intro followed by an almost bluesy, more gutsy arrangement. "Out To Lunch" uses drum sequencing and has this Monkees meets euro-pop sound. It's kinda cool. And you get the "all screwed up" lyric for old time's sake. The last call is "They Can't Knock You Down Again", a tribute to MLK and the '60's era. The music has a pure Hendrix meets album cut Beatles sound. And this is about as experimental and un-Outfield as I've heard this band get. But it still works, cause these guys have the musical chops to do it.

This album has 15 non-toss tracks that go from pop, rock, euro-pop-rock, retro-rock, and plain old Outfield classic rock. Radio missed this as they've been MIA over the last 15 or so years. May stuff like "Extra Innings" make it back to prime time.

There are three songs on this album that every Outfield fan will love: "Heaven's Little Angel", "It's A Crime", and "Dance the Night Away". The rest of the album is pretty good also, nothing as good as their 80's material, but worth owning. The Outfield is probably the most under-rated band in the existence of rock music. Nobody knows anything beyond "Your Love". If people were only exposed to the rest of their stuff, there'd be a heck of a lot more hardcore Outfield fans. But that's besides the point. The point is, this is a very good album of unreleased tunes post "Rockeye", worth having for anyone who loves the Outfield. There is another brand new album out called "Any Time Now" and it's available through CDbaby, it sounds a lot like "Extra Innings", there's a new version of "Heaven's Little Angel" and some other songs which are also pretty good. Nothing brings back great memories like listening to the Outfield, with "Extra Innings", they continue to produce great music!

The Outfield had a great debut record back in 1985, and this record is almost as good. Tracks like "Lay Down", "Dance The Night Away" and "Out to Lunch" are the Outfield at their best. It would be nice for radio stations to play these songs instead of constantly playing talentless acts like the Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears and Ricky Martin.

All in all, this record is actually quite good. There are only three or four filler songs, and all in all, the Outfield manage another hit.

Young at heart????? The OUTFIELD is back. After hearing the tracks straight threw. I am re-living my summer of 1985 over again in Oct. of 1999 in a late season Santa Ana in Cali....

I have been an Outfield fan since 1985...this is the best new material to come out since Voices of Babylon...My only problem with the album is that we had to wait too long to hear some original music from the boys of summer...Very good album.

I was a Play Deep fan, i was surprised about this cd, talking bout us is incredible, is a potencial U.S. hit for young people, i like kiss the rain, girl of mine, it's a crime, chic Lorraine and one love too, thank you outfield, pop needs some music like this, i live in Buenos Aires, Argentina and have 2 friends who love this cd too