Customer Reviews

Sibling Rivalry

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Made in CAN in 2000, Serial# KOC-CD-8821, Playing Time 59:12

The last time I bought a DB album was in 1991, when they released "Brotherhood" (I don't count the live set nor the box set).

First of all, the disc contains a multimedia track full of features (lyrics to the album, a DB skin for Windows Media Player, some freeware), but most interesting is the 7-minute video of "Long Train Runnin'" filmed in Las Vegas in June 2000. And it rocks! The band is having a great time, and the rendition is very exciting, with the addition of Marc Russo on sax, along with a brief but funky bass solo, as well as a little drum duet, viewed through the DB's skin that you can download.

The album in itself is, in my opinion, a drastic departure for their previous efforts: the compositions are a lot more mature: don't expect anything to even vaguely resemble "Listen To The Music" or "China Grove". The sounds are of course very DB, but the melodies are generally without commercial hooks, so there's no million-seller here.

Like most of their albums, the diversity of sound textures between melodies is strong: sometimes they somewhat rock, sometimes they somewhat relax. It's been almost 10 years since their previous albums, and the guys are older. That's not a bad thing, because I think there's been A LOT more effort in the arrangements than in the past.

If you pick this up, think of DB in the new millennium as a new band. Keep your musical mind open: this CD deserves an intensive listen, not something you put on while you vacuum the house or unclog the drain; it's not spectacular, but it's well made, elaborate, and probably more serious than the rest of their albums.

Who are you people who gave this CD bad reviews? Did we listen to the same CD? The Doobies struck gold with this one, in my opinion. I go a long way's back with the Doobie Brothers - the beginning of their rise to fame in the 70s with hits like "Long Train Running" and "China Grove." Granted, nothing on this new disc compares to those classics, but it is certainly a breath of fresh air in this day and age of mindless hip hop, musicless rap and Creed sound-alike bands filled with angst. It is just a shame this CD did not do any better on the charts than it did. But, that is because VH1, MTV, and the tone-deaf radio gurus won't play the "good stuff" anymore. "Sibling Rivalry" is laden with the Patrick Simmons and Tom Johnston touches we loved so many years ago. If you love the Doobies, you'll love this one. Forget the bad reviews! This is meaningful, feel-good pop & rock with talented musicians who actually play real musical instruments. There is no rivalry with these siblings - just musical harmony! I love this one!!!!

Seeing Tom, Pat and the boys in concert on my birthday, 10/16/2000 here in Kansas City may have added to my enthusiasm at wanting to get SIBLING RIVALRY...but the buying of a new CD heretofore unheard always gives me pause to say a prayer that it will be worth the $$ plunked down for it. I needn't have worried. I find it hard to believe that any true fan of the classic Doobie Brothers line-up could be disappointed in a CD of this quality. This long-time fan, ever since "Listen to the Music" hit the airwaves during the summer of '72, found this CD to be invigorating & rocking, immaculately executed. The standout rockers like "People Gotta Love Again" and "Rocking Horse", laid out in stark contrast to heartbreakingly beautiful ballads such as "Can't Stand To Lose" and "Gates of Eden", only prove that these war horses of the 70's still have it, and have brought it back to the streets with a vengeance. We're even treated to one of their trademark acoustic instrumentals again, a gem of a CD closer called "Five Corners." I offer this in closing: There is, for me, not one dead dog track on this CD, and the boys from San Jose have every reason to be very proud of this latest addition to their catalog of pure, straight-ahead American rock classics. And if you hear of them coming to your city on their current tour, run (don't walk) to get tickets. May their renewed success continue unabated.

The Doobie Brothers new CD Sibling Rivalry is without a doubt their freshest release in years. It easily surpasses Brotherhood and Cycles. Where Brotherhood and Cycles simply showed an updated version of their old sound, Sibling Rivalry shows the band unafraid to try new directions and sound. The CD will take a few listens to in order to be fully appreciated, and is best listened to without any expectations. The opening track "People Gotta Love Again" with Tommy's "chunka chunka" riff reminded me of Nobody. Pat's "Leave My Heartache Behind" is actually a reworked song called "Blues To The Highway" from his Japanese solo release. In fact there's strong similarities to that CD throughout Sibling Rivalry. "Don't Be Afraid" displays a latin feel and is very pleasant to listen to. "Rocking Horse" in my mind, is one of the best songs they've ever done period. The CD finishes with an instrumental which is a reminder of Doobies past. If you are expecting music similar to Cycles and anything from their heyday then you will be disappointed. However, if you listen with no expectations you will find a very well done album full of great musicianship, something the band has always been known for. One of the things I have always loved about the Doobie Brothers is the very different muscial styles brought forth. Depending on your mood you can listen to a certain album for a certain sound. Sibling Rivalry rates right up there with anything they have done. Bravo Boys!

The Doobies never cease to surprise and amaze. "Sibling Rivaly" shows a new smooth and soulful Doobie side with a good dose of acoustic guitar work and reflective, social-minded and spiritual lyrics. Violin and sax solos exist in places you would expect guitar but they fit well and give the songs nice dimension. "Sibling Rivaly" also shows they haven't forgotten their roots as a guitar dominated rock and roll band that can kick it out as well as anyone. For Tom Johnston fans, he is on top of his game and better than ever. "People Gotta Love Again", "Jericho", "45 Floor" and "Higher Ground" are vintage Johnston but at the same time demonstrate growth, depth and a new energy. You won't be disappointed. He also handles lead vocals on "Rocking Horse" a great jammin song with classic Doobie background vocals and lead guitar. You can't help but feel he is really enjoying himself. Pat Simmons has gone back to his acoustic guitar roots with the instrumental "Five Corners" and also on "Leave My Heartache Behind", "Ordinary Man" and "Don't Be Afraid". He demonstrates he is an accomplished songwriter, musician and vocalist. Simmons and Johnston clearly continue to be the driving force in the band. However, the band gets substantial songwriting contributions from drummer Keith Knudsen, keyboardist Guy Allison and guitarist John McFee. They also handle lead vocals on "Gates of Eden", "Angels of Madness" and "On Every Corner". These songs are ballads and quite a departure from the typical Doobies sound. Although I am a traditional Doobies fan favoring the Tom Johnston sound, I really like them. They are excellent tunes that benefit from the Doobies tight arrangement and professional musicianship. This is a must have Doobie Brothers album. You'll love it.

I've been a fan of the Doobies since the early 70's and have been to at least a dozen of their concerts. This is the classic Doobies (prior to Michael McDonald). If you are a true Doobies fan, you are gonna LOVE this album. The classic harmonious sounds, the familiar voices, the guitars, the drums, the style you are familar with and have missed in recent years. Cycles and Brotherhood are nice but they did particularly well in this effort.

Several months ago I saw the Doobies on a listening station at a music store. I had no idea a new disc was released. Upon listening, I knew immediately Sibling Rivalry was a winner. The disc not only incorporates their signature sound, but includes some very fresh new sounds as well. The Doobies' musicianship is extraordinary. Instrumentals and vocals reflect how this veteran band keeps rockin'like a finely tuned engine. The overall product is slick, diverse, expected, new, exciting, and sure to please the "die-hard" Doobie fan." Rocking Horse "is one of my favorite tracks, followed by "On Every Corner". Sibling Rivalry is one of the discs I keep playing over and over, and is great driving music.

...and its about time. For Doobie fans that were disappointed with their last effort, Cycles, this is a return to the classic sound of a Tom Johnston/Patrick Simmons lead effort. Thank god Michael MacDonald was tossed aside. The record is inspired. The first single, People Gotta Love Again is a classic sound with a modern, relevant message. Johnston is asking, with all the anger, hatred, and alienation out there, if our humanity hasn't "devolved". He suggests this needs to be reversed. A good song, but by no means the album's best efforts. Each track gets better, and with repeated listenings this record really justifies the five stars I gave it.

My suggestion, buy it, roll a Doobie, brother, and listen up!

I pulled this CD out the other day because I was headed for a Doobies show and wanted to get "caught up". Man--I had fogotten how good this CD is!! There are hits all over it--classic Doobies. My wife came in the room while it was playing and asked who it was--(guess it was so funky and current sounding that she never thought of the Doobies). When I told her she was amazed--"Wow, why weren't those songs heard on the radio?" was her remark. I just don't get it--this CD looks to have been largly overlooked--but if you are a Doobies fan go and get it NOW!! Jerico, 45th Floor, People Gotta Love Again could have been instant hits IF THEY HAD GOTTEN PLAYED!! Doobies--keep on doing it. I have seen you live lately and you have not lost a step--and this CD proves it also. Somebody at Pyramid Records or in Doobies management has GOT to get songs like these heard by the masses.

What can I say these guys can still write some killer songs.I bought the cd the first day it hit the stores and I enjoyed the whole cd. The song that really rocks is 45th Floor, then Rocking Horse,then On Every corner. Some of the others are slower "smooth rockin" tunes but, the lyrics are awesome. Buy the cd if you are an avid D.B.fan like myself you won't be disappointed. Can' wait to Listen To The Music when these guys come back to Houston,Tx.