Customer Reviews

How Old Are You

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1970, Robin Gibb unamiacally left his brothers to record, "Robin's Reign", a terrible, unfinished album redeemed only by a #2 UK single called "Saved By The Bell" (topped on the charts by "Honky Tonk Women" - go figure!). This current album released in 1983 contains help from the Bee Gees old band members and twin brother Maurice. It did well in Europe and drowned in the then, anti-Bee Gees USA.

The first song, "Juliet" (which went to #1 in Europe) is a thumper, falsetto-riddled uptempto masterpiece still used in their concerts. "How Old Are You", "In And Out Of Love", "Kathy's Gone" and "Another Lonely Night In New York" (another hit) are nearly as good. From then on, it all goes downhill.

The drum beats become monotonous, the lyrics banal and Robin's high-shrilled attempts at reaching the highest falsetto notes imaginable are mind-numbing. "Don't Stop The Night" and "I Believe In Miracles" will send you running to the medicine cabinet for pain relievers! My God, that screeching!

Considering that half of the songs are very good is enough reason to purchase this CD. If that isn't enough reason, then think about the fact that in probably less than a year, you'll have to pay some scalping rare-records Bozo a fortune for it. Have a good time and watch that volume.

If you're reading this, you're probably a die-hard Bee Gees fan, so you'll want this album anyway. Robin's subsequent solo efforts "Secret Agent" and "Walls Have Eyes" sound more confident and commercial and are worth looking for, but this one has its moments.

"Juliet" was a hit in Europe and has energy and hooks to spare. The title track is a hummable rocker with some notable ELO influence. "Another Lonely Night In New York" is a trademark heartbroken-Robin ballad, with beautifully layered electronica and vocals. However, it's hard to believe that this album came from two-thirds of the group (Maurice co-produced) that created the studio masterpiece "Spirits Having Flown" just four years earlier. The instrumentation on "How Old Are You" is far less varied, the sound isn't as clear, the melodies contain fewer surprises...it almost seems like they've regressed or perhaps recorded it in a hurry.

Many times, Robin sounds like he's trying to approximate the Bee Gees' late-70s vocal style with lots of overdubbing. It still sounds decent, but without Barry, it's just not the same. The synths get a little muddy at times--he didn't use them as effectively as early-80s counterparts Duran Duran and Human League, for example. Robin must have recognized this because his followup solo albums feature a more unique vocal style and more agile use of technology. One more thing...the album artwork is simply gorgeous. Robin has always been a master of conveying loneliness and heartbreak, and the beautiful cinema photos complement the solitary theme perfectly.

I love his records! I think that this album is great because it gives him a seperate body of work that can really stand him out from Barry and Maurice... Another Lonely Night in New York is a great tune as well as Juliet... It is a real shame that there are no more solo efforts from Robin... I buy the Bee Gee albums just to listen to the songs he sings. I like it that way even if other Bee Gee people don't... I just wish that he would do more solo... This and his last album should have been treated better...

Having been a fan of the brothers for 25 years, I felt it was time to offer my humble opinion on the music I have enjoyed so much.

Having listened to ALL of Robin's songs ("Sing Slowly Sisters") and listened to songs written by him on subsequent LP's after the happy reunion, I have realized that like the BeeGees, Robin not only does not waiver from the emotional context of the song (the way he writes a song) but he maintains the emotional integrity of it as well. This is also true on "Secret Agent", and "Walls Have Eyes". This LP contains some of the best emotional strains I have ever listened to from Robin..."In and Out of Love"...listen to the song as it trails off...just before the next emotional tear jerk song "Kathy's Gone". By the time you get to "He Can't Love You" you just want to slap the woman who hurt him!

If you aren't a huge fan of the BeeGees,( and why not! ) this may not be the LP (CD) for you. But whenever I feel the need to let out some emotion, I find Robin and the BeeGees.

This was a must have album for me as a true die-hard fan of the Bee Gees. I will admit...that at first I wasn't to sure about this album, you have to give it a couple of tryouts. Truly, Robin Gibb has the most angelic voice on earth. I am extremely pleased with my purchase of this CD.

I THINK HE STILL HAS STYLE IN HIS MUSIC... CHANGE OF SUBJECT.... PLEASE FIND HIS ONE OF BEST SONG HE MADE DURING THE 80'S LIKE...

BOYS DO FALL IN LOVE ( THE EXTENDED VERSION )

PLEASE LOOK FOR THAT SONG.... THANK YOU.

If you love Robin, as do I, comments such as these are inconsequential. You will own this CD simply because it's Robin. In my unbiased opinion, every single track is a masterpiece of a creative genius. They should have ALL been hits, i.e. an absolute must-have for any Robin fan.

How Old Are You? is the second solo album of Robin Gibb. The first one was Robin's Reign. The next few ones are Secret Agents, Wall Have Eyes, and Magnet. This album is very strong and includes hits such as Juliet, Another Lonely Night In New York, and Heart on Fire. Robin was surely trying to do his best. Great job, robin.

Imo it is the best of the Robin solo albums. Made in 1982, then released in 83, this was Robin's second solo effort. The first, Robin's Reign, came when the brothers split in 1969. In 82, Robin was in a new relationship, a new father, and he was making this album while on good terms with his brothers. All the songs on HOAY (I love sounding that out!) are composed by Robin and Maurice, and you can even hear Maurice backing on some of the songs.

Robin was clearly happy at this time, or at least happier than he was while making Robin's Reign. This jubilance is evident in the first song, Juliet. It is a very happy go lucky bubbly song one would never expect from Robin Gibb. He sounds different, and sings quite high through the song and album. Sometimes you can't understand what he's saying. The album is very 80s sounding, but that doesn't make it less enjoyable today. In fact, Juliet will really get stuck in your head.

Next is the title song How Old Are You. This is one of the ones it seems you can also hear Maurice. It continues the upbeat style of Juliet. Actually there is no slow song on the album, or any of Robin's 80s solo albums for that matter! The lyrics on the album are superb. Each song has a hook that will stuck in your head. The arrangements are also interesting. It is mosty just Robin in dubs and overdubs, with Maurice backing on some. However, Robin variates his voice within the songs and it sounds like three or four people at times. Very effective.

In and Out of Love is slower than the first two songs, but still very smooth. It has a bit more of an 80s sound to it, but I like the lyrics, and its one of the few where you can understand what Robin is saying. Even my mother likes this one. She kept asking me who it was, since she refused to believe it was Mr. Quiver Robin. Its interesting that before the 80s solo work, Robin always sang the really sad or sappy Bee Gees songs, but when the group comes together again for ESP, Robin is different. Stronger, more confident in himself and his voice.

Danger is somewhat unique sounding in comparision with the rest of the album. The music is different, and Robin sings in a different voice. It's a nice break from the higher singing. He Can't Love You continues the `hook will get stuck in your head' trend. This is the one song that perhaps sounds like the Robin people were expecting, probably because it is the one that sounds like a Bee Gees song. Great story song with a perfectly arranged chorus.

I'd never have any problem of picking this album as my favourite album to date. I bought this album in early eighties and i am still listening to it every now and then.

Every track is this album is so impressive and catchy, the sequence of the tracks are so perfectly arranged that it always makes you to listen to the entire album once you started listening to the first song.