Customer Reviews

This Is Where I Came in

5 star:		(93)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Before Hanson and the boy bands there was the Bee Gees, and "This Is Where I Came In" shows us where the newer models got their ideas from. Although the brothers Gibb are still loathed in some circles, I have always been a biased fan of their music and harmonies. "This Is Where I Came In" certainly has some great harmonies like "Sacred Trust", "Deja Vu", "Walking On Air", "Embrace" and the title track. I found this cd more catchy than 1997's "Still Waters", and found the Bee Gees incorporating their past achievements with new ideas. For example, "Loose Talk Cost Lives" reminded me of "How Deep Is Your Love", "This Is Where I Came In" reminded me of "New York Mining Disaster", and "Technicolor Dreams" was a step in a completely unexplored direction--ragtime jazz. I bought the UK import with the two extra tracks: "Just In Case" and "Promise The Earth"--both worth having. There were even a couple of rockers this time out with "She Keeps On Coming" and "Voice In The Wilderness". It seems there is something for everyone on "This Is Where I Came In". Once again, I suspect that the record company and the public will overlook this solid recording because it's the Bee Gees and because most people who listen to popular music think that musicians over 50 have lost their edge, and therefore, are no longer viable. I disagree, and it's a shame that the music made on this disc will receive little exposure or acknowledgement. As a fan of the Bee Gees, I expect "This Is Where I Came In" to suffer the same fate as 1993's "Size Isn't Everything", 1991's "High Civilization", 1989's "One", 1987's "ESP" and 1981's "Living Eyes". If you are a fan, "This Is Where I Came In" is worth owning, and if you are just finding out about the Bee Gees it's worth looking into.

WOW!!!!!! I must say I am thrilled about this new release by one of the most legendary music groups! This new cd by THE BEE GEES is stellar!!! I am very picky with my music but every track on this album is excellent! From the opening chorus of THIE IS WHERE I CAME IN to the closing track, VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS, this cd is so great! Anyone who enjoys this group MUST RUN OUT and buy this album! You will enjoy it! Plus, if you purchase it at certain stores, there is a bonus live cd with 3 songs....I'VE GOT TO GET A MESSAGE TO YOU, RUN TO ME, and TOO MUCH HEAVEN!!! Enjoy this cd and THIS IS WHERE I CAME IN!

Although I didn't experience the instant fascination with this album that I have with previous ones, it is truly delightful. Just the fact that the brothers have produced yet another album, with more new ideas, enhanced with hints of the past, is quite amazing. Not only do they thrill us with new sounds, but there is a continuity which reflects their past works that is sure to please every devoted Bee Gee fan. The whimsy of "This is Where I Came In" is such a familiar quality of each album. The melody of "Wedding Song" is so reminiscent of the beautiful song "Stay Alone" of "Now Voyager". The typical sensitivity and gentleness that the brothers frequently express so profoundly in their work is expressed once again in the spectacular "Just in Case". "She Keeps on Coming" reminds us of the very early days in the Bee Gees' careers. And I dare anyone to try NOT singing along with the catchy "Sacred Trust". Although I don't care for "Technicolor Dreams" it is definitely a new sound for our very talented trio. If this incredible showcase of talent is not enough for you, don't forget the wonderful enhancements of the CD and the beautiful photographs of the lyric booklet. Enjoy!

BeeGees lates album "This Is Where I Came In" show that they'll always be the greatest! You would just love listening to their music in your car with the volume cranked up and the windows down. Terrific cruising music!! Here are my few favorite songs from this album:

This Is Where I Came In: I like the strong drums and guitar in this song.

Sacred Trust: Lovely song with a good beat. I love it when the music fades out and you hear only the nice harmonizing voices of Barry, Robin, and Mauric Gibb.

Man In The Middle: It has a sort of "Moody Blues" type of feel, with neat synthesizer and drums. Chorus is really nice.

Walking On Air: Another song which reminds me of "Moody Blues". The lyrics are real nice, with words like "I think I'm walking on air, so much in love I can't tell what I'm saying..."

Embrace: The words are so good in the song "Embrace". Whenever I listen to this album with my family, we always have to listen to this song.

And practically all of the songs are fantastic with such good lyrics. If you're a BeeGees fan, this is an album that you have to buy and listen to!

I usually listen to edgier stuff, like Elliott Smith, Elastica and Garbage, but I confess that I have always liked the Bee Gees songs that made the charts. Well, I watched that special on A&E a few nights ago and I was AMAZED at their songwriting talent. They have written hits for Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick...many songs that I had no idea were penned by them! So I ran right out and bought this album... I am happy to say that the recording and arrangements are beautifully done, and it gives me so much joy to hear an old band like this still creating such thoughtful and inventive stuff. "This is Where I Came In" is a great song all around (MORE acoustic next time, Bee Gees!!!!) and definitely ranks up there with some of the best music being done today. The first five tracks are all great. Some of the schmaltzier stuff ("Wedding Day") makes me a little twitchy, but the tunes are interesting and carefully crafted, and you have to remember that the BeeGees have always been known for romantic ballads like this. Overall, I consider this CD a sublime achievement from one of rock's (in my mind) most prolific, underrated and creative groups.

At long last, the Brothers Gibb have crafted an album that surpasses all their earlier efforts. The sound is more basic (less synthesizer) and more mature (simplifying all their talents). The range is varied, but always maintains an upbeat, rock filled tempo. "She Keeps On Coming" and "Voice In The Wilderness" are amazing surprises of excellent R & B rock. Is this the Bee Gees? Even the ballads are mainstream upbeat, such as, "Wedding Day", "Embrace" and the oddly named, "Loose Talk, Costs Lives". Although, the title track has been chosen as the first single (in the rest of the World), any track could make it, (save for "Technicolor Dreams", which is a pleasant, but odd novelty song). Maurice even tops himself with the Beach Boys styled "Man In The Middle" and "Walking On Air". There are lots of surprises here and there is absolutely no way to try and pick which songs will be chosen for air-play. They are all that good.

The last Bee Gees album may be their best. There are a couple of weak tracks, but the majority is top noch. And as an added bonus, Maurice(my favorite singer and person of the three) sings lead on two songs on here! That's two as in 2! As in TWO! As in...well you get the idea. Here's my song by song analysis:

1. This Is Where I Came In. 5/5 Stars. This songs starts the album off well, with an interesting acoustic sound. This what Barry meant by "Back to the Basics." It's at a faster pace than their earlier work, but it's a good cut none the less.

2. She Keeps On Coming. 5/5 Stars. This started off as my favorite song on the album. But it slipped after I heard more of the album. Still, it's a great tempo. You would think that this was written by The Rolling Stones.

3. Sacred Trust. 3/5 Stars. This is the weekest song on the first half of the album. It's a pretty ballad, but it could have been a lot better.

4. Wedding Day 5/5 Stars. I didn't like this song at first but it quickly grew on me when I heard Barry and Robin's interplay. One of their finest.

5. Man In The Middle 5/5 Stars. This is first song Maurice sings. It's a great autobiographical track especially the chorus. Concert set-up wise, Robin would be the obvious choice to sing this one, but he can't. This is Maurice's song.

6. Deja Vu. 3/5 Stars. This Robin-Led Song had potential but it gets repetitive after a while. Also there was a strange rap going on at the end. What's up with that? There is a bonus:At the end of the song you can hear the crew talking if you listen close.

7. Technicoulor Dreams:1/5 Stars. My least favorite track on the album. It sounds like a bad show tune based on Barry's singing. The most annoying part is the clarinent. Just like on Deja Vu, you can hear the crew talking at the beginning of the song. The only good thing about it is that it makes a good intro to Walking On Air.

8. Walking On Air: 5/5 Stars. My favorite song on the album. The synthesizers, the tempo, the drum programming, the lyrics, the guitars, and of course, Maurice's incredible voice.

9. Loose Talk Costs Lives: 3/5 Stars. An average ballad. C'Mon Barry! You can do better!

10. Embrace. 5/5 Stars. I just love the up-beat tempo on this one. Reminds me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls.

11. The Extra Mile. 4/5 Stars. Good Orchastra feel, but the lack of 3-part-harmony ruins it.

12. Voice In The Wilderness. 4/5 Stars. A great rocker to end the album, and consequently one of the greatest bands that ever lived.

"This Is Where I Came In" is a very retrospective turn for the band. For the first time since the "Disco Danny Days" of the mid to late 70's, this album (though definitely R&B in spots) features no discoesque falsetto (or disco at all for that matter) which is rather ironic (and gutsy for the brothers) since 'discoesque dance music' is so trendy now.

Who could better encapsulate a 35-year career with all-new music retrospetive of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s and package it to sell to a contemporary audience? No one, that's who! It's almost impossible for me to pick specific songs from the album. They are ALL good. However, I am most moved by Man In The Middle, Deja vu, Technicolor Dreams and The Extra Mile. This Is Where I Came In (like Still Waters, four years ago) is much more like Bee Gees music from the late 60s and early 70s (Beatlesque in style). The melodies are rich and beautiful, the harmonies (as always) impeccable and the band (which are all long-term Bee Gees band members) has never sounded better.

The style of each song differs from what comes before or after it. The album is well produced and is a rich blending of rock, R&B and balladry with hints of early Bee Gees 60s-style psychedelic sounds running through it. For example, "Technicolor Dreams" has the feel of "Turn of The Century" or "New York Mining Disaster, 1941" (Better remembered as "Have You Seen My Wife, Mr Jones?" which were songs released on their first international album (Bee Gees 1st,1967).

And though much of the music has a Lennon/McCartney feel to it (as it did in the late 60s), it's, as always, '100% Gibb'.

My life-long friend, who has never cared for The Bee Gees before, listened to the whole CD thinking it was The Moody Blues. When she mentioned how good the album is, she asked me who the singer of a particular song is (in reference to the song Man In The Middle). When I said "Maurice, the guy who plays keyboards and guitar" she then asked if he is the one who does the poetry section of "Nights In White Satin". Realizing that she thought the band was the Moodies, I said "Darlin', this is Bee Gees, not Moodies". She immediately went off! "THIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIS is The Bee Gees?" "Now you have ME liking Bee Gees?" she said? The album is truly *that* good. As a lifer Bee Gees fan, I found her amazement somewhat amusing, since the music is really not all that different than what they have done previously. That's also what makes this album so incredible.

I cannot praise it enough! Incredible job guys. Thank you from a true, lifer fan! I knew you would do it, again and again!

Well for those fans of the Bee Gees who felt left out in the cold when they dropped they're classic `60s & `70s rock sound and went disco around `75, welcome back! It's been a long time coming, but they're new album This Is Where I Came In (Universal) is absolutey brilliant! This is no disco or heavy dance record. This album is not filled with over produced sappy r&b styled songs. This album is CLASSIC BEE GEES and ranks right up there with some of they're greatest works as a well-rounded and crafted work. Past Bee Gees albums that rank up there in my books are Odessa (1969), 2 Years On (1970), Mr. Natural (1974) and Main Course (1975). Yes, they produced some great songs on Children Of The World, Spirits Having Flown, Living Eyes, ESP, One, High Civilization, Size Isn't Everything and Still Waters. But as a genuine album that collects one great tune after the other, well they don't come close. This Is Where I Came In does! The title song "This Is Where I Come In" is just the tip of the iceberg with its "New York Mining Disaster 1941" feel. Maurice who usually gets to sing lead on 1 tune every couple of albums has two here. "Man In The Middle" and "Walking On Air" are brilliant and can easily be top choices for hit singles. The latter has one of the most beautiful choruses from the guys in a long time. This song is a smash! A light Euro dance/rock groove graces both. Barry Gibb turns in some great tunes and some great vocals in his real voice once again. No falsettos here! "Sacred Heart" & "Wedding Day" are beautiful ballads with a country/r&b tinge. On "Voice In The Wilderness" they rock harder than they ever have with Barry spitting out line after line without running out of gas. Perhaps they have been listening to too many Motorhead, Sex Pistols, David Bowie and Iggy Pop records lately! The chorus echoes David Bowie's twisted punky style vocals. Love it! As for Robin "Deja Vu" & "Embrace" show that he also can deliver the goods. Both songs have shimmering acoustic guitars with catchy melodies and choruses that his voice glides over like an angel in flight. The latter once again incorporates a light Euro dance groove. "She Keeps On Coming" has him and the guys rocking `n' rolling. Yes they have put they're rock `n' roll boots back on. I think I said enough already. The other songs are equally as good and now you will have to be the judge. If you have a musician's ear which I have (I'm a musician), you can tell these songs were produced very sparse and that both the music and vocals were recorded live with very few over dubs. Just like they're great `60s & `70s rock classics.

My title says it all. I count this to be their 22nd album of all new material; however, this is counting Saturday Night Fever and Stayin' Alive as albums when they really were movie soundtracks. I have every Bee Gees albums except for Living Eyes (which needs to be put back in print, so I can get it), so I knew that this was a must buy. A couple of things to say before I list each track: 1) the people who gave this a negative review are either people who are expecting another Main Course or Spirits or they are people who have a negative opinion about the Brothers Gibb because of SNF (this is mainly American radio). 2) A couple of people said that this was the best Bee Gees CD since 2 Years On. I'm sorry but with the exception of Lonely Days and Man For All Seasons, 2 Years On was an album full of filler. There are about 20 other Bee Gees albums that are better including this one. Here's a track listing and my thoughts on each:

1) This Is Where I Came In -- The title track and one of my favorites. Great vocals and instrumentation are hallmarks of this song. Reminds me alot of New York Mining Disaster 1941. 2) She Keeps On Coming -- A pretty good track with great vocals by my favorite Gibb brother, Robin. It's a song that reminds me of an ELO song. It has a chorus that will stick in your head. 3) Sacred Trust -- A pretty good ballad that is handled well by Barry. Reminds me of other great ballads like First of May and Don't Wanna Live Inside Myself. 4) Wedding Day -- Definitely one of the best songs on the album. You better believe that this song will be one that you will hear at weddings. It's already been played some on the TV show, Providence. 5) Man In the Middle -- A Mo song. It's alot like Omega Man from Size Isn't Everything. Many people don't know how to react to a Bee Gees song with Maurice singing the lead simply because they are not used to him singing lead. However, this song has a very catchy hook. 6) Deja Vu -- Another fine performance by the inimitable Robin. 7) Technicolor Dreams -- An interesting song to say the least! Reminds me of Winchester Cathedral. Definitely not a disco song. Barry gives a fine performance as usual, but I don't really care for ragtime jazz. 8) Walking On Air -- Another Mo song. Not as good as Man In the Middle. 9) Loose Talk Costs Lives -- A magnificent ballad by Barry. It's better than Sacred Trust. 10) Embrace -- This song along with the title track features the brothers at their very best--singing together and harmonizing. 11) The Extra Mile -- An okay song. Don't really have any other feelings about it. 12) Voice In the Wilderness -- The only true rock song on the album. It reminds me of Down the Road and Heavy Breathing--2 songs that were on their album, Mr. Natural. Not alot of people have heard the Bee Gees sing this style, so they don't know how to react except to react negatively. However, as they have proven over their 35+ year career, they can sing in a variety of different styles.

All in all, this is a Bee Gees album that comes close to overtaking One and Size Isn't Everything as their best album since their post Spirits day. The best tracks are #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #9, and #10. It's unrealistic to expect another Main Course or Odessa with this album simply because the brothers have matured over the years. Here's hoping that American radio and the American public get over their phobia of the Bee Gees and give this album a chance. I guarantee you that it will be a big hit everywhere else in the world which is a very sad commentary on our society.

P.S. Whoever is in charge of their label, please put Living Eyes back in print, so my Bee Gees collection can be complete!