The Way It Is

Bruce Hornsby And the Range, Bruce Hornsby

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: April 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000002W93
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,307 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bruce Hornsby is now best known for his stints playing keyboards with the Grateful Dead and for his involvement in such post-Dead projects as the Further Festival. An incomparable keyboard wizard whose skills are widely admired while his albums are consistently underrated, Hornsby's greatest commercial success is slipping rapidly into the past. His 1986 debut, The Way It Is (recorded with his band, the Range) is the high watermark of his career commercially, having sold several million copies and spawned a trio of hit singles, including "Mandolin Rain," "Every Little Kiss," and of course, the No. 1 smash, "The Way It Is." Overall, it's Hornsby's most tuneful album, though not necessarily his most accomplished work. His is a catalog that is long overdue for reevaluation. --Daniel Durchholz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ages Spectacularly Well, June 20, 2000

By	"vaoy" (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

I was a junior high schooler watching NBC's music video show "Friday Night Videos" (if I remember the name correctly) back in 1986 when I heard "The Way It Is." It wasn't until the early 90s when I finally picked-up this CD; used. I almost traded it in about five years ago for something else. Needless to say, I still have it, and suprisingly (to me) it has become one of my favorite albums today.

The Amazon.com review was right on the mark, by stating that Bruce Hornsby and the (venerable) Range are "long overdue for reevaluation." The piano work is suberb, Hornsby's vocals are so smooth, and the writing reflects subtle notes of sociological problems, and life's wonderful moments ("The Way It Is" and "Mandolin Rain" respectively). His backup band rounded out the sound of this album very well, making it one of the most complete and cherished recordings of the 1980s.

It's been out of the limelight for years, but for those who dig this album up, a wonderful listening experience will become their's for a long time to come.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great heartland pop/rock., February 7, 2004

By	oldschooler1981 (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

In 1986, Bruce Hornsby somehow managed to mix southern rock, pop/rock, country, and soft rock into one, with great results. If you've only heard the 3 hits, don't stop there. Some of the best tracks are the non-hits.

1. On the Western Skyline -- The perfect album opener with a mid tempo, happy yet restrained pop beat, and lyrics about trying to find love. Even though it wasn't a hit, believe me that it was good enough to be.

2. Every Little Kiss -- The lesser known hit here also happens to be my favorite. Starting with a quiet piano and soon becoming a somewhat rocking, happy pop tune with a slight country sound. Another tune about love and missing it.

3. Mandolin Rain -- A slightly uptempo, very pleasant romantic ballad. Despite its more soft rock sound (even at the time) it's still not wimpy and boring. If I enjoyed it back in 1986/87 at 5 years old, it can't be total adult contemporary, right?

4. The Long Race -- Yet another underrated masterpiece. The southern/country sound returns here with a fun pop/rocker about winning, well, the long race (of life).

5. The Way it is -- This is the still fairly popular song here. I never liked it as much as the others, for whaever reason, but it's still great. A medium pop tune with clever yet serious lyrics, dealing with social issues.

6. Down the Road Tonight -- Even though Bruce is softer than many artists associated with the power ballad genre, it could be the PB of this album. A more lighthearted (possibly autobiographical) look at being younger, meeting a girl and falling in love. A melodic mix of lite southern rock and a pop ballad, which I'm absolutely amazed didn't become a hit.

7. The Wild Frontier -- Probably the most 'rocking' song as well as the most country influenced, which is good but not great.

8. The River Runs Low -- The softest tune. An underrated piano based, sensitive yet melodic ballad, which also is hit worthy.

9. Red Plains -- Piano and guitar based. Similar to 'Wild Frontier' but a bit darker. Not so much that it offsets the happier songs, though. A great way to end the album.

If you like the lighter and more 'down home' side of artists like John Cougar Mellencamp or Tom Petty, as well as 80's pop/rock, you'll probably like this. Also, for a somewhat heavier, more 'arena rock' version of this album, try 38 Special's mid 80's release "Strength in Numbers."

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Hornsby's Smashing Debut, March 2, 2003

By	Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Bruce Hornsby exploded onto the pop music scene from out of nowhere with 1986's "The Way it Is." Fittingly, since he had a great sound and was capable of writing songs with strong melodic hooks. Hornsby's voice and keyboard playing are excellent, but it's the songwriting that makes the first half of this album particularly memorable. "On the Western Skyline," "Every Little Kiss" "Mandolin Rain," and the title track all sparkle. The second half of the album is not nearly as good, containing some filler material, but it holds its own well enough to make "The Way it Is" one of the better rock albums released during the 1980s.

Overall, an excellent mainstream rock album that sounds as good today as when it was first released.