It's a Mystery

Bob Seger

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 24, 1995)
• Original Release Date: October 24, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Capitol
• ASIN: B000002V29
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,419 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Rock > Singer-Songwriters

Track Listings

1. Rite of Passage

2. Lock and Load

3. By the River

4. Manhattan

5. I Wonder

6. It's a Mystery

7. Revisionism Street

8. Golden Boy

9. I Can't Save You Angelene

10. 16 Shells from a 30-6

11. West of the Moon

12. Hands in the Air

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A significant segment of the CD-buying public probably thinks of Bob Seger as the TV pitchman for those "like a rock" Chevy pickups. The problem is a little something rubbed off Seger in the process. And now he wants it back. Is that what Seger is referring to when, in "Lock and Load," he complains of "users and fakers" who've caught him in their "schemes"? He now confesses he's "spent years losin' touch of what's right and what's real." Thus it's time to "take a different road and start again." Not so quick, Bob. It is, after all, easier for a 4x4 to pass through the eye of a needle than for a multiplatinum rocker to recapture his erstwhile ideals. Seger fails, of course, but this is a noble try. Here he aims for grittier production here than fans have heard of late, but he remains a meat and potatoes rocker, unwilling to make the occasional stylistic leap contemporaries Bruce Springsteen and Neil Young rely upon to stay fresh. It's a Mystery sounds like a Bob Seger album...nothing more or less. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The man and his songs, May 30, 2000

By A Customer

This CD is proof that Bob Seger is one of the most intelligent artists to grace the vinyl. He is very opinionated and tries to express himself in his songs. This worked when he was singing of "Night Moves" and other experiences of his youth. Unfortunately, listeners are not as intrigued by his mature take on the world. "Lock and Load" and "Hands in the Air" are excellent tracks. They have the recognizable "grind" that we seek in Seger's music. I am so loyal to the man that I can't criticize the rest of the CD. I can only acknowledge that listeners are disappointed when they listen for pleasure and get a lesson in current events/politics. Seger should write a book. He is intriguing and intelligent. I am looking forward to his next CD. I hear it is in the works.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not true Bob, but not bad, December 12, 2004

By	Ryan Richards "reb77" (Midland, MI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I think "Seger fails, but this is a noble attempt" is a concise (if somewhat harsh) way to describe this CD. After the unified, down-home feeling of "The Fire Inside," Seger seems to be at a loss with this album. He tries to go everywhere musically and ends up going almost nowhere. I say "almost" because this album does have its moments. "Rite of Passage" and "It's a Mystery" are both hard-rocking (if musically uninspired) tunes, and "Revisionism Street" is a lyrically brilliant summary of the politics of entertainment. "I Can't Save You Angelene" is a wonderfully bluesy farewell to the one who's not worth pursuing--different and intriguing content for Seger. "Manhattan" pushes the envelope too; once you get past the initial quirkiness of Seger's singing style on this song (he sing-speaks it a la Shawn Mullins), it proves itself a powerful tale of a drug deal gone horribly wrong for both parties--"two more unsolved mysteries," as Seger notes. Beyond those songs, I didn't find much on this album that stood out. As other reviewers have noted, however, that doesn't mean the rest of the album isn't decent music, since it is Bob Seger... not the unparalleled Bob Seger of "Night Moves" and "Stranger in Town" and "Nine Tonight," but Bob Seger nonetheless. This is a good one to buy for posterity if you can find it at a bargain price.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Music, March 27, 2008

By	Mary Ann Ward "snidelyward" (Idaho Falls, Idaho) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: It's a Mystery (Audio Cassette)

I do not understand the negative reviews. Personally, I have never really liked typical 80's music, but I never really thought that Bob Seeger fit into that stereotype--the make-up, the tight plastic pants, the weird "do." His music reminded me of many different things I listened to when I was young in the 60's, and I like this CD. And I do not regret owning it.

Some of the reviews speak about earlier CD's like they represent Bob's "Golden Age," but I do not see it. A few of the older CD's--in my opinion--do not hold up as well as this one, although I enjoy listening to them as well.

Again, in my opinion it is sad that the recording is no longer available.
It is well worth a listen if you can find it.