Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Simply a Worth-Listening Album, August 30, 2000
I do not care if he was the lead vocal of former Take That.I do not care if people decide to compare Barlow with his fellow peer from Take That. I do not care if others are being cynical about Barlow. Nothing is important. You've got to listen to this debut album of Gary Barlow. When I picked up the headset at Virgin Megastore and started listening to this album, I had no clue of who Gary Barlow was. This is a very important point. How music moves and manipulates us can be very objective. The music from this debut album simply moved me the first time I listened to it. Track after track, the album surprised me with romantic tune like "Never Knew" and "Forever Love"... *Open Road", "Superhero", and "So Help Me Girl" are also worth the attention. Stop judging the artist based on what you hear or where he comes from. Follow your heart and listen to the music. You will not disappoint at this album.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Strong Album - Would Give it 10 Stars if I Could, March 30, 2005
Having been a fan of Take That, I was quite interested when Gary Barlow released his solo debut. When I bought this CD, I realized what a musical genius he truly is. This entire CD is wonderful. Gary's voice is like an angel. And the fact that he wrote or co-wrote many of the songs proves that he is not just a former boyband pretty face (although he is that as well). His cover of "So Help me Girl" far outshines the original country version and should have been a #1 hit here in America. The follow up single, "Superhero" was equally impressive and should have been a much bigger hit. Other stand-out tracks include "Hang on in There Baby" and the title track, "Open Road". Since the follow up to this album was never released here in the States, I have not heard it. It is a shame that American radio ignored Gary, because I think he is an amazing talent. I like his former bandmate Robbie Williams as well, but why does Robbie get all the press and Gary is overlooked? If you like beautifully crafted pop songs and have never listened to Gary Barlow, I suggest you buy this CD and give him a try. He is every bit as talented as anyone performing on "American Idol". Let's hope he puts out more CD's and finally catches on here in America.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"Back For A Few Minutes At Least", December 14, 1999
By A Customer
First impression: without the other four guys to tell him "Oh Gaz, that's great stuff!" or, "Gaz that song's just awful," Gary Barlow doesn't know any better and puts out some of both. "Open Road" is an OK cd, but merely ok. Nothing on this album compares to Barlow's best stuff, namely what is on Take That's final original album, "Nobody Else": songs like "Back For Good." Gaz has said repeatedly his new music is more mature and pure, and to prove it he released his first solo single, "Forever Love," having touted it's a beautiful song showcasing just his voice and the sound of the piano. That's all very well and good, but that can't make up for the fact that "Forever Love" is boring as heck. It's just one of many tracks on this album which go overboard in being super-inspirational and/or just plain insipid. There are a multitude of rather sickly love songs with forgettable lyrics and melodies, and the best songs on the album aren't really his. "So Help Me Girl" is an old country song, "Love Won't Wait" an old Madonna song. Gaz's superb voice and tweaks to them add much, but it saddens me to consider the rest, the songs written totally by Barlow are just not up to snuff. "Superhero" and "Open Road" are decent, and "I Fall So Deep" is more memorable than most of the other tracks. But on the whole, there is a feeling of blandness to this album. Gary Barlow wants to be the new George Michael, but as was once said in a professional review, he's coming off more like the new Barry Manilow. I would say only "Love Won't Wait" is a bona fide pop song, the rest is a mix of easy listening ballads and love songs that are more or less forgettable. I often wonder why people thought Gary would have a huge solo success. He wrote great pop songs for Take That, has a dextrous and soothing voice, and good looks. But he also has almost no charisma, and it really shows in this music. Unlike master showman/showoff Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow doesn't get into his performances at all. I recall him singing this Madonna song at a concert and merely tapping his foot and clapping his hands a little. Come on Gaz.. As you listen to these songs you get the feeling Gary is inspiring himself, and he's very moved and emotional in the studio. But as usual, he never projects that feeling further than the sound booth, and he never really tries beyond saying he's committed or finding his path, a superhero etc. "Open Road" is a closed route peppered with lovely covers and some reminders that Gary Barlow has great talent, but it's talent squandered in an album that strays from what Gaz did/does best. Gary Barlow sacrifices mainstream success for an artistic maturity that estranges him from the everyday listener and doesn't come off the right way. I'd applaud him and be content with that if I thought that's what he wanted. But I don't think it is, so I can only be annoyed. An ok effort, and an ok album, but not the stuff great careers are made off.
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by Gary Barlow 
