keepers - 2
The band has settled firmly in the power-pop lane, differentiated from their early-80's albums only by the lack of cavernous reverb. Peppy "Sorry"**** could be from any album before '11', as could "As Long As You Are Near Me" and "Bring Back The One I Love". The guitar/bass riff combination starting "One Look At You"**** undoubtedly takes inspiration from "Day Tripper", while "A World Of Our Own" recycles the opening riff from "Ticket To Ride"; In fact, most of the album seems like a tribute to early-era Beatles and "All The Same" is even a bit Herman's Hermits. "Keep On Running" ventures into the heavier late-80's Smithereens territory, and the chorus "no don't listen to the things they say, you just take my hand and we'll keep on running" confirms that the lyrics have settled in to replay this era as well. There are lines that hint at a more personal genesis, such as shouting out to Asbury Park in "Nobody Lives Forever", a backstory to "Viennese Hangover" (how about "Viennese hangover, keeps coming back to me, Viennese hangover, senses olfactory" for a rhyme!), or the prelude to an affair after years of regret in "Rings On Her Fingers", but other than that they stick to generic love songs. The appearance of "Goodnight Goodbye", a dirge-like valedictory, at song #9 is strange, especially when followed by 4 more typical up-tempo songs. After 13 songs, by the end they seem to run together, but fortunately what the album lacks in variation it makes up in consistency and catchiness.
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