Customer Reviews

Return to Zero

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you're looking for that Boston sound and are disappointed by what Boston has released since 1994, then check these guys out. You won't be disappointed. Make sure you get RTZ (Return to Zero), RTZ (Lost), and RTZ (Lost and Found). The last cd has a bonus disc entitled Delp and Goudreau which is a must have for the Brad Delp and Boston fan. I give this cd 4 stars just because of its listening enjoyment. Boston will never again see those glory days and it seems as though Tom isn't really trying anyway. Corporate America was a disaster (I've reviewed seperate) and took way too long to come out. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see it take another 5-10 years for him to produce another 40 minutes of music. So, in the meantime you have RTZ to fill the gap.

I wish I had given this album the attention it desrved when it came out. The radio stations didn't give it much air play. I had intended to get it. But never got around to it until now. 12 years later is better than not at all. This album is the closest thing to Boston you will get. Much better than the two Tom Schulz Boston solo albums that have come out since. It really has that boston flavor. The songs are very good. After you listen to this album a few times youl find the songs get stuck in your head. This is a good thing. I didn't give it 5 stars for a couple of reasons. 1: It's just a little bit too poppy sounding at times and could use a little more edge. 2: The lead guitar solos are good but not great. The addition of Tom on guitars would have made this a great album. But I don't think the real Boston will ever happen again ;(

Another project from Barry Goudreau, the eponymous Return to Zero is easily the best recording from any Boston alumni. Nothing in the music is even slightly innovative, but most of the songs are reliably crafted, feature strong performances, and are backed up with solid production (a sore point on Orion the Hunter and Barry Goudreau). On hand for RTZ was Boston vocalist Brad Delp, as well as keyboardist Brain Maes, formerly a touring member of Orion the Hunter, graduate of the Berklee College School of Music, and composer of RTZ's most popular song, "When Your Love Comes Back Around," an infectious ballad that could fit quite comfortably on any Journey album and that peaked at #16 on the Billboard US Hit chart. Together with Goudreau, Maes also cowrote the album's first single, Face the Music. The album features another nine songs, seven cowritten by Goudreau and Delp. RTZ toured the US in 1991 and 1992 playing versions of Boston's "Long Time" and "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" and appeared on ABC television's live music program, "In Concert." Serious fans of Boston or RTZ might like to have a look around the internet; bootlegs for a few of RTZ's `91-`92 shows are in circulation.

During the band's recording sessions for the first album there was enough material left over for a second album, which Goudreau hoped to release following the `91-`92 tour. But when label Giant Records lost interest, the band lost its contract and quickly folded. After such a solid debut, the band's unreavling must have been a great disappointment to Goudreau and Delp, who for so long struggled under the shadow of Scholz. Goudreau shopped around for a label to market and distribute the second album, titled Lost, but by the time the material was released in 1998 all the band members had moved on to other projects.

Buy this album not for the Boston connection, but because it's well crafted, middle of the road melodic rock.

I was at an outdoor music festival here in Albuquerque, waiting for Joe Walsh to come out on stage, when this band called "RTZ" came out to play. I had not been exposed to them on the radio before this, but when I saw Barry Goudreau and Brad Delp of Boston fame, I knew I was in for a treat. They did not disappoint, either. Once the show was over (Joe Walsh put in a good performance as well), I went out to find their album. I had heard both the Barry Goudreau solo albums and the "Orion the Hunter" album, but this was different somehow. It seemed more polished and better produced, like it was Boston, but maybe taking a different road musically. I can recommend it to you readers.

The late Brad Delp and RTZ bandmates totally excelled on every song of "Return To Zero". Delp's vocals resonate perfectly on many songs including "There's ANother Side", "All You've Got" "Everydoor Is Open" and "Until Your Love Comes Back Around". Delp's paramount vocal performance is on the poignant song "Rain Down On Me". I love all the RTZ CD's but this is the one that sounds like Tom Scholz played on it. He did'nt but the engineering and production is very good akin to Tom's impeccable, perfectionist style.

I had forgotten about this recording for many years and in the process of converting cassettes to CDs found myself listening to it in the car the last few days. What struck me was how much fun this type of music could be, not only for its high-spiritedness and energy, but because it provides a total listening experience. By that I mean the songs flow well together, and you realize how, in this era long ago, bands could produce consistently good material track to track. Not the case today. In fact, you would have to struggle to rock albums that have even a few good songs. Brad Delp was a rock vocalist par excellence -- versatile, amazingly talented, and not afraid to show heart in his singing. Again, not the case in rock today. It's all about power, meanness, and brutality -- in songs, lyrics, and production. No room for the subtlety of pensive emotions. We may never again hear rock music this pure and sensible, but at least we'll have these albums to turn to.

GREAT CD BRAD DELP HAS A GREAT VOICE.BARRY GOUDREAU IS JUST AS GOOD AS ANY ONE ON GUITAR.

I bought this CD when it first came out and after listening to it a few times, it went on the shelf like many CD's do. When I got my iPod a few years ago and starting looking for music to put on it, I reached for this CD and have not regretted my decision. There is not bad song on the CD.
All of the songs have nice production values and the lyrics are well-written. If you are looking for a nice piece of music, you won't go wrong spending your money on this CD.

if you are into melodic rock sang by a great vocalist, you'll enjoy "face the Music","Rain down on Me", "Hard Time in The Big House", and the hit ballad " Until your Love Comes Back Around". great stuff by the late Brad Delp. He will be missed.

I'm a long-time Boston fan but I only discovered RTZ recently, even though I heard about the band when Boston's "Walk On" came out and learned that Brad Delp wasn't performing the vocals on that CD because of his commitment to RTZ.

I've purchased all the RTZ albums and enjoy them all. This album is packed with outstanding songs. Delp sings passionately with his uniquely beautiful sound and also demonstrates his capacity to sing in a variety of styles. Goudreau is outstanding on lead guitar as well.

One aspect of RTZ that I really enjoy vis-a-vis Boston is that many of RTZ's tracks are much more personally expressive and emotive. This is true of all the RTZ albums, including "Delp and Goudreau", not just Return to Zero.

Face the Music, All You've Got and Rain Down on Me are beautiful but rock at the same time. Every Door is Open and Until Your Love Comes Back Around are outstanding ballads. Devil to Pay and Livin' for the Rock 'N' Roll are much more bluesy and truly demonstrate Delp's master of multiple vocal styles and Goudreau's outstanding depth as a guitarist.