If you’re a fan of seventies style bluesy hard rock, you are going to absolutely love the new record from Mr. Big, “…The Stories We Could Tell.” This is the band’s eighth studio album and second since the original lineup reunited in 2009. The amount of talent in this band is ridiculous and they sound better than ever. With the help of veteran producer Pat Regan, Mr. Big has delivered in a big way. The record sounds smooth and polished but maintains that retro seventies feel.
The blues rock kicks off with the opening track “Gotta Love the Ride” and it is clear from the start that this ride will be awesome. Every member of Mr. Big seems to have stepped up their game for this record. Billy Sheehan’s slinky bass grooves could not be better and Paul Gilbert provides passionate and intense guitars. The vocals of Eric Martin are bold yet soulful and the swinging beats of drummer Pat Torpey are the glue that holds it all together. Don’t miss the Aerosmith like vibe on tracks like “Satisfied” and “What If We Were New” which were my personal favorites. There is a very interesting mid-tempo song, “Eastwest,” that features transitional acoustic/electric guitars and the dual Gilbert/Sheehan solo in “The Light of Day” is alone worth the price of admission. Of course, you’ll find a huge, stadium swaying ballad in “Just Let Your Heart Decide” before things close out with the blues grind of the title track.
“…The Stories We Could Tell” really took me by surprise. It bluesy hard rock at its best and quite simply demands your attention.
