Lean Into It

Mr. Big | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 1991)
• Original Release Date: March 26, 1991
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic / Wea
• ASIN: B000002IQS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45,322 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd album showed they could WRITE as well as they could play, November 14, 2002

By 

Bill M. "bill_m1" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean Into It (Audio CD)

The first Mr. Big album showed that the band members were each virtuosos on their individual instruments. "More chops than a butcher block" as singer Eric Martin described it. But their second album, "Lean Into It", showed that Mr. Big could also strip away all the flash and 7-minute solos, and simply create well-written songs with rhythm, groove, and good melodies.

By the late 80s, "shred" was somewhat popular -- the new wave of progressive "musician's bands" who could play mind-blowing complicated riffs on their instruments at lightning speeds. Mr. Big was in that same category that would include musicians like Steve Vai, Nitro, Blues Saraceno, Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, and Dream Theatre. On top of that, members Billy Sheehan (ex-David Lee Roth, Talas) and Paul Gilbert (ex-Racer X) already had that reputation before forming Mr. Big.

However, with this album Mr. Big proved they were truly a BAND, not just 4 individual musicians waiting for their turn to solo. This crucially set them apart from the many short-lived groups of virtuoso musicians thrown together. "Lean Into It" certainly has its share of dazzling playing in the solos and certain intros, but over all it's a CD that non-musicians are going to like too.

"Alive and Kicking" and "Never Say Never" are great hard rock songs with a strong 4/4 grooving beat. "Little Too Loose" and "Voodoo Kiss" are great heavy, bluesy songs, one up beat and the other really laid back. "Road to Ruin" and "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind" have incredible singing harmonies by the band. And of course there is the #1 hit, "To Be With You", with its great vocals and a guitar solo that's flawless in every way.

Mr. Big followed up with more albums of damn fine song writing, but this was the real big turning point in their writing direction. They're one of the few bands to master both technical playing and "song" playing, and it's a shame that most people aren't familiar with them beyond one song.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect hard rock album, March 4, 2005

By 

Wyldephang (Maryland, U.S.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean Into It (Audio CD)

This is the perfect hard rock album. Seriously. There's something for everyone on this CD: love ballads that can be either depressing (Just Take My Heart) or hopeful (To Be With You); rock songs with pop influences (CDFF-Lucky This Time, Green-Tinted Sixties Mind); full-force hard rock tunes (Daddy, Brother, Lover...) - some of which have a bluesy edge to them (Alive and Kickin').

I'm going to comment on some of my favorite songs on the album:

Alive and Kickin' - this is probably my favorite song on the album. It's got a bluesy drive, although the emphasis is clearly on hard rock. It starts out with a short bluesy guitar solo that sets the tone for the song, and quickly progresses into the main riff, which remains dominant thru-out the majority of the song. In other words, this song keeps it simple and to the point.

CDFF-Lucky This Time - I am a big hard rock fan, so I will love anything that... rocks hard. This song mixes pop and rock very well - it reminds me a lot of Bon Jovi. Great vocal work by Eric Martin.

My Kinda Woman - guitarist Paul Gilbert originally wrote this riff for his rock / metal band, Racer X, but he let Mr. Big record it first. The song has a chugging riff that carries it along smoothly, and has a seemingly somber tone. The original title for this song (when it was written for Racer X) was Mad at the World, so that explains its musical mood.

Just Take My Heart - this song is about a relationship break-up. "Just take my heart when you go, I don't have a need for it anymore." As the lyrics suggest, the song has a sad tone, but it is captivating enough to hold your attention. As with Alive and Kickin', the tune starts with a guitar intro that sets the tone for the song and stays consistent to the end.

These are the songs that I feel best represent the album as a whole. An honerable mention goes to Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy. This song stays fast from top to bottom, and features Paul Gilbert on guitar and Billy Sheehan on bass playing their instruments in harmony with electric drills. You can't miss it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Desert island take-along, November 5, 2001

By 

Mark White (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lean Into It (Audio CD)

This would have to top my list of CDs to be stranded with, not even a 4 star song in this 5 star bunch. From the Makita drill intro of Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy to the last falsetto of To Be With You Eric Martin and company delivers. Tight arrangements, impeccable musicianship and the best vocalist to stand in front of a microphone all blend seamlessly into one of the best all time hard rock releases. In Japan Mr Big, with new guitarist Ritchie Kotzen, are one of the biggest acts touring, too bad America let them slip away.