Customer Reviews

It's a Mystery

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This CD is proof that Bob Seger is one of the most intelligent artists to grace the vinyl. He is very opinionated and tries to express himself in his songs. This worked when he was singing of "Night Moves" and other experiences of his youth. Unfortunately, listeners are not as intrigued by his mature take on the world. "Lock and Load" and "Hands in the Air" are excellent tracks. They have the recognizable "grind" that we seek in Seger's music. I am so loyal to the man that I can't criticize the rest of the CD. I can only acknowledge that listeners are disappointed when they listen for pleasure and get a lesson in current events/politics. Seger should write a book. He is intriguing and intelligent. I am looking forward to his next CD. I hear it is in the works.

I do not understand the negative reviews. Personally, I have never really liked typical 80's music, but I never really thought that Bob Seeger fit into that stereotype--the make-up, the tight plastic pants, the weird "do." His music reminded me of many different things I listened to when I was young in the 60's, and I like this CD. And I do not regret owning it.

Some of the reviews speak about earlier CD's like they represent Bob's "Golden Age," but I do not see it. A few of the older CD's--in my opinion--do not hold up as well as this one, although I enjoy listening to them as well.

Again, in my opinion it is sad that the recording is no longer available.
It is well worth a listen if you can find it.

I think "Seger fails, but this is a noble attempt" is a concise (if somewhat harsh) way to describe this CD. After the unified, down-home feeling of "The Fire Inside," Seger seems to be at a loss with this album. He tries to go everywhere musically and ends up going almost nowhere. I say "almost" because this album does have its moments. "Rite of Passage" and "It's a Mystery" are both hard-rocking (if musically uninspired) tunes, and "Revisionism Street" is a lyrically brilliant summary of the politics of entertainment. "I Can't Save You Angelene" is a wonderfully bluesy farewell to the one who's not worth pursuing--different and intriguing content for Seger. "Manhattan" pushes the envelope too; once you get past the initial quirkiness of Seger's singing style on this song (he sing-speaks it a la Shawn Mullins), it proves itself a powerful tale of a drug deal gone horribly wrong for both parties--"two more unsolved mysteries," as Seger notes. Beyond those songs, I didn't find much on this album that stood out. As other reviewers have noted, however, that doesn't mean the rest of the album isn't decent music, since it is Bob Seger... not the unparalleled Bob Seger of "Night Moves" and "Stranger in Town" and "Nine Tonight," but Bob Seger nonetheless. This is a good one to buy for posterity if you can find it at a bargain price.

Worth price of admission for this track alone. He writes naturally. Sings and plays with just the right feel. His voice suits the music perfectly!

This is the first Seger album I've heard, and I love it. In fact, it's my faorite rock album. It's a rush to hear the lyrics of "Lock and Load," "Put Your Hands in the Air," and especially "Revisionism Street" -- I haven't heard anything so clearly poitical in decades; the messages needs to be said and heard. Seger's voice is amazing; I love the roughness and admire his control. The music is great; it's impossible to sit still when it's on. I don't know what the critics of this album are missing; I'm hearing it and judging it on its own merits, and I think it's excellent.

I bought this cd used cheap figuring that it couldn't be very good for the price that i payed for it! Man was i wrong! This album is great! Don't get me wrong it don't compare to older Seger albums!I love the cover of this cd! It's kool when an it makes u think what it meens! Don't let this cd be a mystery to ya!I highly recomend it to seger fans!

IT'S A MYSTERY was released in 1995,four years after THE FIRE INSIDE. The long gaps between albums continue. Well,just the year before,GREATEST HITS was released with 2 original tracks,one of them not penned by Seger. At this time he was already married to his current wife Nita. The Segers had a toddler son,Cole who is presently about 10 or 11 years old. Hits include LOCK AND LOAD and according to the newly released sequel to GREATEST HITS,MANHATTAN. Every song is very good. This is Seger's most recent all-original album.

It may not be old time rock and roll, but then again, this is not 1950 anymore. This album shares his growth, disappointments, and acceptance of himself and the world around him. Listen to lock and load - you hear the same wistfulness you heard in against the wind. Revisionism street is a statement of the times. The acoustic tracks are hauntingly simple and beautiful. Seger has continued to move forward and the music on this album shows that. Listen and then look around - he's right.

I thought I had missed the opportunity to see Seger in concert - then came the "Mystery" tour. Great show! Classic Seger! Bought the CD on the way in and listened to it on the way home. Then one or two more times in the years since, skipping around looking for another song as good as Lock & Load. This CD is very "unfinished". It seems as though he had a bunch of ideas for songs that were simply made into full-length songs by use of repetition. As a die-hard Seger fan it pains me to be so honest, but no one's going to fight over this CD in divorce court!

It seems silly to evaluate music the way Consumer Reports magazine rates appliances. Hasn't your opinion of songs, albums and recording artists changed over the years? Anyway, one way to determine how much you like an album is to choose how many songs you would tape-record if you had borrowed a friend's copy of it. I would tape every song from Bob Seger's IT'S A MYSTERY. Not that I think it's a great album, but each tune has at least something memorable about it. Several IT'S A MYSTERY songs - "Golden Boy," "Rite of Passage," "I Wonder" have an unfinished feel, trailing off just as you are starting to enjoy them. Then there's "Hands In The Air," a catchy guitar-driven dance tune that would be a hit if radio gave it a chance. IT'S A MYSTERY's worth getting - at a bargain price.