Mr. Big....

[S2M]

Deb....this one's for you....

a few quotes about Mr. Big releases....

Bump Ahead

Another one of those albums just sitting in my collection for one song. I guess 'Nothing but love' and 'The whole world is gonna know' are pretty damn good too, but for me this album is worth 'Promise her the moon' alone. One of the finest melodic rock ballads I ever did hear. Beautiful song and adds a glow to what is otherwise a pretty dead and damp collection of songs.

They should quit after this album, it was the swan song of this great band, after this album they made a lot of mistakes,Gilbert´s departure was a clear sign they should quit

Hey Man

This CD has some of the worst songs I've ever heard, but amongst the trash are a few gems like 'Going where the wind blows' and 'The chain'. Both very nice peices of balladic rock, but it is undoubtedly 'Take cover' which makes this album worthwhile. Easily one of the best Mr Big songs recorded and easily worth the price alone. Aside from those three songs, IMO the rest is absolute shit.

give me a bucket...boy!...its crap!..the album starts of like a love song..burst into a scream then it lost the plot..start to finish..crap..bin it

I too was disappointed by this, I just bought it for $1.99 at a used CD store and I'm not sure it should be valued quite that highly. It's not like it was reall bad or anything, the musicianship is there, the vocals are great, it just sounds uninspired.

Get Over It

I was never a big Mr Big fan, but this album was a whole new level of dislike. As noted, while Richie Koetzen is an established solo artist (Though I don't like his music) he did not for a moment suit Poison and although that CD was good, it was an entirely different sounding Poison. Well, same story here. While Richie can play, his style does not suit Mr Big (More so than Poison, but still not a good swap). More importantly, the songs here are dreadful, IMO. Easily the worst Mr Big CD.

Actual Size

How amusing. I think this band is one of the most overrated of the period and don't think any of their albums are great, but I guess it's just me and a few others. This album, however, is not bad at all IMO. Sounds okay with Richie there and there are some great songs at the start of this album. Once again, countless fillers but alot better than the previous album. Overall average IMO, but not too bad.

What If...

Not very good in my opinion. I liked a few songs but nothing but "Undertow" stood out to me. I give it a 70.

[Saint John]

I agree with the guy's overall assessment of What If. Undertow is just such a great fucking tune in every sense that it's hard to believe that the rest of the album is so mediocre/bad.

[Deb]

I agree with the guy's overall assessment of What If. Undertow is just such a great fucking tune in every sense that it's hard to believe that the rest of the album is so mediocre/bad.

Couldn't disagree more. Undertow is great, and there is definitely some other gems on What If... too. There is sooooo much going on on this album that it definitely takes more than just a couple of listens to these songs to even pick up on it all. Couple other favorites......... I Get The Feeling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQNZEg9n7_s All The Way Up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_cyG4WXhdg

And the one in my sig (Japan bonus track). The Japan release got the better bonus track IMO. Much prefer Kill Me With A Kiss to the US bonus Unforgiven.

And 99% of the comments under ANY of their vids on youtube are positive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHGv5FCS2j8 But it's all good, you don't have to "get it" I appreciate the monster musicianship and vocals of this band and it's all around kick-assed-ness, plenty enough for the both of us.

[Deb]

Deb....this one's for you....

a few quotes about Mr. Big releases....

Har har har! This guy obviously likes ballads as those are the only ones he seems to mention on any of those albums. I can easily copy tons of quotes about the Mr Big releases that negate this guy's comments, lol not even a challenge. Oh and btw, you're a little late, there is already a Mr Big album ranking going on in a thread downstairs in their forum.

http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... hp?t=49125

[jestor92]

What If... is an alright album. Undertow is good, but the rest of the album is kinda average. IMO the American bonus track Unforgiven is the 2nd best track on the album.

I don't know what it is with the album but the sound quality on the record just makes me cringe in spots. The first time I listened to the album it just seemed to me like Martin's vocals were recorded too high in parts of some of the songs and it just drowned out the rest of the music. I'm also not a fan of the way Martin sounds singing these days as compared to Lean Into It, and Bump Ahead. His voice sounds kind of tired and worn.

[Andrew]

I agree with the guy's overall assessment of What If. Undertow is just such a great fucking tune in every sense that it's hard to believe that the rest of the album is so mediocre/bad.

I'll express post you a new set of ears. And a few clue's to go along with them.

[slucero]

Friggin' great lyrics...


Promise Her The Moon

Hey, yeah yeah
You don't know what you've got
Till the love is almost gone
This time, yeah she's given up
Still in a state of shock
I should've seen it coming on
It's too late for waking up
Her mind's made up
I know the dream is over
But my heart just can't let go
She's too good to be forgotten
Too good to be true
Before my world is torn apart
I'll promise her the moon
I'll promise her the moon
I was too blind to notice her
Wrapped up in myself
Workin' hard overtime, night and day
I thought we were so secure
Can' imagine someone else
Could come between us
And take her away
Her mind's made up
I know the dream is over
But my heart just can't let go
She's too good to be forgotten
Too good to be true
Before my world is torn apart
I'll promise her the moon
I'll promise her the moon
And all the time she stood by me
I never said "I love you"
Yeah, I kept it deep down in my soul
And all the while I've been a fool
yeah, yeah yeah.

[Deb]

What If... is an alright album. Undertow is good, but the rest of the album is kinda average. IMO the American bonus track Unforgiven is the 2nd best track on the album.

I don't know what it is with the album but the sound quality on the record just makes me cringe in spots. The first time I listened to the album it just seemed to me like Martin's vocals were recorded too high in parts of some of the songs and it just drowned out the rest of the music. I'm also not a fan of the way Martin sounds singing these days as compared to Lean Into It, and Bump Ahead. His voice sounds kind of tired and worn.

Funny how two people can hear such different things. I thought the exact opposite, I thought the music drowned out his vocals in spots. I can understand to a degree your comment on his vocals, and that was a huge concern to me (who is a major fan of his more soulful R&B vocal work) when I heard that this was going to be a REAL heavy album. Considering he's 50 and trying to sing over major powerhouses like Sheehan and Gilbert, I think he definitely does a commendable job......also considering Lean In To It was recorded over 20 years ago. EM mentioned he was used to recording a couple songs, resting his vocals and recording again, this was slamming out a full album in one shot, pretty much live. It won't be for everybody. It's not full of slickness and magic, but I looooove LIVE Mr Big, so I totally dig it. I'm still a tad concerned how he is going to be able to tour some of these songs over and over trying to sing over BS and PG's playing on a constant bases, shades of Perry struggling with his vocals on their catlogue comes to mind. You can tell the 3 that EM wrote on What If.... by his vocals sounding right for the song, and the hard crunchy ones he is trying not to strain vocally on.

[timstar78]

"What If" has really grown on me. Still rate it in the high 80s.

This band kills live, and I can't wait until the show on April 2. (I am missing Heart for this, so it better be worth it!)

[Deb]

Friggin' great lyrics...


Promise Her The Moon

Hey, yeah yeah
You don't know what you've got
Till the love is almost gone
This time, yeah she's given up
Still in a state of shock
I should've seen it coming on
It's too late for waking up
Her mind's made up
I know the dream is over
But my heart just can't let go
She's too good to be forgotten
Too good to be true
Before my world is torn apart
I'll promise her the moon
I'll promise her the moon
I was too blind to notice her
Wrapped up in myself
Workin' hard overtime, night and day
I thought we were so secure
Can' imagine someone else
Could come between us
And take her away
Her mind's made up
I know the dream is over
But my heart just can't let go
She's too good to be forgotten
Too good to be true
Before my world is torn apart
I'll promise her the moon
I'll promise her the moon
And all the time she stood by me
I never said "I love you"
Yeah, I kept it deep down in my soul
And all the while I've been a fool
yeah, yeah yeah.

True that! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnWkgFuZ ... re=related

Probably a good 80% of my favorite MB songs were the ones written by Eric Martin and Andre Pessis. Just Take My Heart, Voodoo Kiss, etc.....

[jestor92]

What If... is an alright album. Undertow is good, but the rest of the album is kinda average. IMO the American bonus track Unforgiven is the 2nd best track on the album.

I don't know what it is with the album but the sound quality on the record just makes me cringe in spots. The first time I listened to the album it just seemed to me like Martin's vocals were recorded too high in parts of some of the songs and it just drowned out the rest of the music. I'm also not a fan of the way Martin sounds singing these days as compared to Lean Into It, and Bump Ahead. His voice sounds kind of tired and worn.

Funny how two people can hear such different things. I thought the exact opposite, I thought the music drowned out his vocals in spots. I can understand to a degree your comment on his vocals, and that was a huge concern to me (who is a major fan of his more soulful R&B vocal work) when I heard that this was going to be a REAL heavy album. Considering he's 50 and trying to sing over major powerhouses like Sheehan and Gilbert, I think he definitely does a commendable job......also considering Lean In To It was recorded over 20 years ago. EM mentioned he was used to recording a couple songs, resting his vocals and recording again, this was slamming out a full album in one shot, pretty much live. It won't be for everybody. It's not full of slickness and magic, but I looooove LIVE Mr Big, so I totally dig it. I'm still a tad concerned how he is going to be able to tour some of these songs over and over trying to sing over BS and PG's playing on a constant bases, shades of Perry struggling with his vocals on their catlogue comes to mind. You can tell the 3 that EM wrote on What If.... by his vocals sounding right for the song, and the hard crunchy ones he is trying not to strain vocally on.

I agree that it's going to be hard for him to sing over Sheehan and Gilbert vocally every night. I just would've liked to have seen his vocals turned down slightly in the final mix so that you could hear the music better in some spots. I think that would've really helped the album out. I have no doubt his voice is worn a bit over the time because no singer sounds the same in their 50's as compared to what they sound like in their 30's or 40's.

[Deb]

"What If" has really grown on me. Still rate it in the high 80s.

This band kills live, and I can't wait until the show on April 2. (I am missing Heart for this, so it better be worth it!)

LOL I hear ya! I'm travelling over 1200 miles and missing April Wine here for it. But I know it will kick my ass, even just the fact of seeing those 4 live on the same stage again. If they happen to break up again, I'm ok with it, being anytime after that show. As much as I looooove the MB music, I would rather not see him blow those soulful pipes of his on some of the real heavy stuff...........still want more solo albums out of him down the road.

[Behshad]

Good album overall. The vocals are the only let down to me. the best part of the band and album is the display of talent between Sheehan & Gilbert...

[Michigan Girl]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

[epresley]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

MG, do not be alarmed, please, but my nickname is Mr. Big, in addition to Elvis AND Ross. I'm just saying.

[Deb]

Good album overall. The vocals are the only let down to me. the best part of the band and album is the display of talent between Sheehan & Gilbert...

All depends, it's pretty subjective, if you're looking for a slick production album this isn't it, if you're looking for an album that will sound just the same live, this is definitely it.


EM:

Kevin told us that he wanted us to record as a live rock n roll band – ‘I want Eric singing everything with the band and no overdubs. If someone makes a mistake or wants to change a lyric slightly change it and cut the song all over again from the start.’ We were all taken a back a bit because that’s not the way we work. It was a real hectic schedule and I was getting a little pissed off at times because I wanted to be in there to do it but I wanted to work at my own pace. Kevin told me he wanted to treat this like a gig. ‘I want the audience to feel the emotion and have a really raw feel to it. I don’t want to slick this thing down and make this a pretty velvet type of recording, I want all the sandpaper.’ We were all cooped up really close together. Pat’s cymbal was pushing up against the glass of my booth. The energy came out with this type of atmosphere. It was almost as if we were really pushing each other. I was really trying to show off for the band to show them I still got it. We did like 15-20 takes for each song, each time starting over if need be. Towards the end we were cutting it really close because of a commitment Kevin had so sometimes we had to work on two songs a day and it was tough. At the end, we went to Kevin’s studio in Malibu called “The Cave” for final mix hoping to maybe fix something or touch up a song or two if needed. I was there for like ten days and other than some harmonies that got added it stayed as is. Kevin didn’t want the touch ups, he wanted to leave things as they were. When I hear the songs on “What If “ I hear what I sound like live. That’s what we were going for.

Billy:

Eric's vocals on this record are some of the best I've ever heard him do. I think everyone's in a really good spot to go out and do a really good show.

And like I said, we really don't plan anything. We'll fall into what the show's going to be, it'll happen, someone will have an idea, those special moments in the show, someone will come up with something, I don't know what it's going to be.

It's all part of the great spirit, we've got a great record, and there's a lot of people really excited about seeing us play live. There's a lot of really good components to go into a gig with.

[Deb]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

Kinda chuckled at his "proud of Eric" comment....

Paul Gilbert:

Yeah. "Stranger In My Life" is a song which Eric brought in, and I really like it. It's interesting because I think sometimes people see Eric as sort of a pop guy, and that's really a heavy song. To me, it has a lot of Zeppelin-y chords and it's a little bit dark, and it has a real heaviness to it. I was proud of Eric, and thought "Ah, cool - he brought in a heavy one".

How would you describe your lead guitar work on 'What If...'?

My lead guitar work is an answer to what Eric is just saying. Eric takes the lead for most of the song, and then when the guitar comes in, it's just hopefully a continuation of what he's doing emotionally.

[Michigan Girl]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

Kinda chuckled at his "proud of Eric" comment....

Paul Gilbert:

Yeah. "Stranger In My Life" is a song which Eric brought in, and I really like it. It's interesting because I think sometimes people see Eric as sort of a pop guy, and that's really a heavy song. To me, it has a lot of Zeppelin-y chords and it's a little bit dark, and it has a real heaviness to it. I was proud of Eric, and thought "Ah, cool - he brought in a heavy one".

How would you describe your lead guitar work on 'What If...'?

My lead guitar work is an answer to what Eric is just saying. Eric takes the lead for most of the song, and then when the guitar comes in, it's just hopefully a continuation of what he's doing emotionally.

It is heavy ...losing yourself, trying
to rediscover or find oneself ...self~realization, if you will!! With a beautiful melody!!

[Michigan Girl]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

MG, do not be alarmed, please, but my nickname is Mr. Big, in addition to Elvis AND Ross. I'm just saying.

We know ...
we've been talking about it!!

[Deb]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

Kinda chuckled at his "proud of Eric" comment....

Paul Gilbert:

Yeah. "Stranger In My Life" is a song which Eric brought in, and I really like it. It's interesting because I think sometimes people see Eric as sort of a pop guy, and that's really a heavy song. To me, it has a lot of Zeppelin-y chords and it's a little bit dark, and it has a real heaviness to it. I was proud of Eric, and thought "Ah, cool - he brought in a heavy one".

How would you describe your lead guitar work on 'What If...'?

My lead guitar work is an answer to what Eric is just saying. Eric takes the lead for most of the song, and then when the guitar comes in, it's just hopefully a continuation of what he's doing emotionally.

It is heavy ...losing yourself, trying
to rediscover or find oneself ...self~realization, if you will!! With a beautiful melody!!

I'm still of the opinion, more of MB's songwriting should be done by EM and PG. I just kinda got a chuckle out of that first comment by PG..........first thing that came to mind when I read it, was............EM, the Jonathon Cain of Mr Big......good gawd, no!

[epresley]

Stranger In My Life is Incredible ...course it's a ballady song that's
all about the vox ...very nice Gilbert piece, as well!!

Some great lyrics on this one!!

MG, do not be alarmed, please, but my nickname is Mr. Big, in addition to Elvis AND Ross. I'm just saying.

We know ...
we've been talking about it!!

Awwwwwwwwww, that's sweet. I'm flattered you talked about "it".

[Pelata]

I agree with the guy's overall assessment of What If. Undertow is just such a great fucking tune in every sense that it's hard to believe that the rest of the album is so mediocre/bad.

I'll express post you a new set of ears. And a few clue's to go along with them.

And I'll help with the postage...this album rules.