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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quality Pop Ballads, March 31, 2005
Being a fan of Chicago from the days of "Chicago Transit Authority," I must review this CD as though it were from a different group because the style of early Chicago is different from the style of this Chicago. Early Chicago was an innovative group that experimented with a variety of styles and was considered somewhat progressive. This Chicago is a high quality mellow pop music group as this 1988 release shows.
This music is so consistent in terms of style that an individual song discussion is relatively valueless. Thus, if you are familiar with the hits from this album know that you are getting an entire album of similar music.
The album reached #43 in the summer of 1988. Singles were released from the album beginning in mid 1988 until mid 1989. The first single released was "I Don't Wanna Live without Your Love" backed by "I Stand Up," which reach #3 in June 1988. The second single was "Look Away" backed by "Come in from the Night," which reached #1 in September 1988. The third single was "You're not Alone" backed by "It's Alright," which reach #10 in January 1989. The final single released was "We Can't Last Forever" backed by "One More Day," which reached #55. "What Kind of Man Would I Be" was remixed and released after the release of "Chicago's Greatest Hits 1982-1989," reaching #5 in December 1989. Thus, there were a total of seven songs from this album that were released on a single, either on the A-side or the B-side.
I find this album's consistency surprising. While there are variations in tempo and lyrics in each song, the style is constant throughout. I also think it is interesting that Chicago did not succumb to the "big hair band" style of the 80s. There are tinges of that style, but the album remains focused on ballads.
All the songs on this album are good, and a few are very good or excellent. If you like middle-of-the-road rock, and mellow ballads, this album would be an excellent addition to your collection. I would recommend this music to be played at work, or around the house. I would not recommend this music for long drives, as it might put you to sleep, but in rush hour it might calm your nerves.
Groups should evolve as they see fit; Chicago did exactly that. Chicago has had mellow ballads from their first album. While Peter Cetera was a frequent contributor of mellow ballads, others in the group contributed this style nearly as often. The principal difference between the Chicago represented in this album and early Chicago is that this music is focused, and Chicago began with eclectic styles. I believe this album is worthy of being in a collection of Chicago's music, as well as in the collection of those who like pop ballads.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting Album, I . . . like it!, June 29, 2006
It's hard to put a finger on this one. Is it good, or bland? Do the singles all sound alike, or do those sweet little hooks in each make them stand on their own? How much horns do we really need?
OK - I have to admit two things - first, that I was really bothered by how monotonous the singles sounded on this. Second - heck, these are, after all, quality hit singles. Ballads? I won't take part in that debate.
Chicago at this time was a group of 7 guys, 5 of whom were originals. They were still kinda in the Foster era - and this album spawned some monstrous singles. It so happens that in this album, Jason and Bill go to the front of the pack with these singles. The remainder of the group "stand up" on the deep cuts. I do believe I hear Chicago in there - but then again, Jason and Bill are in the band too. They get to do their kind of music. And people loved it!
Still, it feels like they are still coasting from the Foster era. But there is the promise of a band that is still coming together. Their best lineup ever is just around the corner: once Howland and Imboden join.
Yes - buy this album. Lots of ear candy.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chicago Teams Up With Ron Nevison, why not??, August 9, 2005
This may be be the most misunderstood and maligned Chicago album ever released. I was in radio at the time of it's release. In fact I was at a rock station that "couldn't" play 19 because Chicago had been an AC band for over a decade.
One listen to the Ron Nevison production and you'll be hooked on this brand of Chicago. It produced the fastest climbing Chicago #1 song in the band's history-that would be the Dianne Warren song "Look Away" featuring Bill Champlin's pleading delivery. The combination seemed wierd at the time-but Nevison (Heart's big 80's albums) and Chicago made great music together. Chicago purests likely jumped off of 19 scrambling to find their Chicago IX LP's.
But there's no denying Jason Scheff coming into his own on "What Kind Of Man Would I Be" and "We Can Last Forever". Champlin also hits solo for the first time on "Look Away", "I Don't Wanna Live Without Your Love" and the much forgotten about "You're Not Alone". Also of note is the Robert Lamm composition "Victorious" which paves new ground for production experimentation for a band that's done it all. This whole CD plays well from start to finish. It is lighter on the horns than most Chicago CD's, but they're still in there! This CD is a great piece of musical history-a timepiece of what was hot in 1989. 19 shows that Chicago could change and innovate with the times.
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