Just an Observation...

[Andrew]

Fair enough -- I guess I was just wondering what elevates Rick Springfield to the level of getting a regular mention here. Is it genuine popularity?

Believe it or not....but yes!

[Andrew]

if you're speaking of Andrew alone... could it be Rick is AUSTRALIAN?

nah....it's got to do with more than being Australian. Otherwise, you'd get a lot more coverage of other melodic rock/hard rock Aussie bands. Jimmy Barnes, a very popular Aussie rocker, released a solo album a year or two ago that was very much melodic rock and it barely got a passing mention and no review.

Jimmy's just worn out his welcome here in OZ. He'd turn up to the opening of an envelope. The new album was average as is most of his stuff these days.

[Andrew]

if you're speaking of Andrew alone... could it be Rick is AUSTRALIAN?

nah....it's got to do with more than being Australian. Otherwise, you'd get a lot more coverage of other melodic rock/hard rock Aussie bands. Jimmy Barnes, a very popular Aussie rocker, released a solo album a year or two ago that was very much melodic rock and it barely got a passing mention and no review. No issue with that, as it's his site. It's more than just the local area. Anyway, regardless of where he's from, it appears from his tour dates that Springfield is US these days.

i wasn't saying it was the fact he's Australian alone. I was just saying that could be why he gets attention from Andrew, since he is pretty much a more local favorite to him. He's a fan of Men at Work too. It doesn't mean us Americans aren't fans. You don't think people have national pride when it comes to artists they enjoy? I think from what I've seen they do, and there isn't anything wrong with it either.

Aussie rock rules....also covered The Angels, Baby Animals, Colin Hay, James Reyne, Daryl Braithwaite, Diesel, Screaming Jets....if there's news to print, I will print it! Simple as that...no matter where it's from. Remember also that I rely on PR people sending me the info sometimes. I can't find everything everywhere all the time.

[StevePerryHair]

if you're speaking of Andrew alone... could it be Rick is AUSTRALIAN?

nah....it's got to do with more than being Australian. Otherwise, you'd get a lot more coverage of other melodic rock/hard rock Aussie bands. Jimmy Barnes, a very popular Aussie rocker, released a solo album a year or two ago that was very much melodic rock and it barely got a passing mention and no review. No issue with that, as it's his site. It's more than just the local area. Anyway, regardless of where he's from, it appears from his tour dates that Springfield is US these days.

i wasn't saying it was the fact he's Australian alone. I was just saying that could be why he gets attention from Andrew, since he is pretty much a more local favorite to him. He's a fan of Men at Work too. It doesn't mean us Americans aren't fans. You don't think people have national pride when it comes to artists they enjoy? I think from what I've seen they do, and there isn't anything wrong with it either.

Aussie rock rules....also covered The Angels, Baby Animals, Colin Hay, James Reyne, Daryl Braithwaite, Diesel, Screaming Jets....if there's news to print, I will print it! Simple as that...no matter where it's from. Remember also that I rely on PR people sending me the info sometimes. I can't find everything everywhere all the time.

Yes Andrew, I know you cover melodic rock from all over.

Rick has a ton of popularity here in the states, which you of course know. So the fact he's an Aussie fave of yours, who you had a lot of exposure to for years, who is still creating really good albums, I would expect you WOULD cover him. I don't know why anyone would even wonder about this.

[Andrew]

[pinkfloyd1973]

Andrew posts a lot of Rock Springfield news on this site. Today even garnered a mention of a RS Tribute band. Question for the forum: Does anybody here really like Springfield? I've always been kind of embarrassed by him. Jesse's Girl is an ok song, I guess. But he just always struck me as more of a Hollywood creation... the General Hospital actor turned singer who had more looks than real hard core musical talent. i have to drag my wife, kicking and screaming, to a Springsteen concert. But she'd gladly overpay a babysitter to see Rick Springfield -- which tells me about all I need to know.

Anyway, just thought I'd ask.

You need a few facts.

1 - Read the news properly. I'm promoting the RS Tribute ALBUM that I released on my own label.
2 - Why would you be embarassed by Rick? Did he do your wife?
3 - He fell into acting to pay the bills in the 70s having left Australia after hitting #1 with his music having been on the tour circuit alredy for 10 years. He wrote while acting and tried a few deals before the breakthrough Working Class Dog album in 1981.
4 - He went back to acting late 80s to keep himself busy after going thru writers block and another bout of depression. He's done acting on and off ever since.
5 - He hit the road again in the late 90s and hasn't stopped since.
6 - No real hardcore musical talent?? Bwahahaha. Ok, so writing all your own songs, playing most instruments on his albums (guitars, Keys, bass, drums) as well as producing them doesn't count??

Thank you! Read his autobiography Late, Late At Night

[kgdjpubs]

if you're speaking of Andrew alone... could it be Rick is AUSTRALIAN?

nah....it's got to do with more than being Australian. Otherwise, you'd get a lot more coverage of other melodic rock/hard rock Aussie bands. Jimmy Barnes, a very popular Aussie rocker, released a solo album a year or two ago that was very much melodic rock and it barely got a passing mention and no review.

Jimmy's just worn out his welcome here in OZ. He'd turn up to the opening of an envelope. The new album was average as is most of his stuff these days.

maybe that's the advantage of being here in the US. Nobody's ever heard of him, so overexposure is impossible. Of course, so are live shows.

Interesting how tastes vary. I thought most everything after Freight Train Heart was really patchy, hated the Love & Fear and Double Happiness albums, but thought the last 2 were a significant step in the right direction, and the last one (Rage & Ruin) had some songs as good as the FTH material. As long as you weren't looking for FTH, Part 2, there were a couple of classic rock anthems on that one, a couple of nice AOR tracks and some really good ballads. Ah well, tastes vary.
Kevin (the same one as the noticeboard Kevin--multiple personality disorder here, it would appear)

btw....good call on the Magnum 13th Day tracklisting. It does work much better that way. These alternate tracklistings are a nice touch to the review, if/when they are needed. Poor sequencing can kill one's initial impression of a record, and if it's bad enough, they might give up and not find out how good the album really is.

[Andrew]

btw....good call on the Magnum 13th Day tracklisting. It does work much better that way. These alternate tracklistings are a nice touch to the review, if/when they are needed. Poor sequencing can kill one's initial impression of a record, and if it's bad enough, they might give up and not find out how good the album really is.

Great! Had a lot of feedback on this....all positive! Will be doing more so if required.

[JRNYMAN]

Rick is a really talented guy both on stage and on screen. He played at this tiny little venue here in Chandler, AZ a couple of years ago - capacity: 750! - and rocked it like he was playing to 15,000 people. I've liked him and his music since he hit the scene with Jessie's Girl. His appearances on Californication were hysterical!

[Yoda]

Why are you guys talking about Rick Springfield? Familyman was clearly talking about Rock Springfield in his first post - Rick's brother!

[kgdjpubs]

btw....good call on the Magnum 13th Day tracklisting. It does work much better that way. These alternate tracklistings are a nice touch to the review, if/when they are needed. Poor sequencing can kill one's initial impression of a record, and if it's bad enough, they might give up and not find out how good the album really is.

Great! Had a lot of feedback on this....all positive! Will be doing more so if required.

The Magnum one is really improved with the revised tracklisting. See How They Fall is a great opener, and moving All The Dreamers (least favorite) to the back end is no great loss.

Sequencing makes a major effect on first impressions, and if it's awful, you may not find the good album buried within. None I've heard have approached the 2nd Savannah album, but there are some poorly sequences albums. I noticed you've done another one with the new Ten album.

[Memorex]

Really frustrated with this 4 different version insanity for Rick's new release, and more if you count international versions. I mean, fuck! I want to hear all the songs, but I don't want to pay over $40 to do so when 90% of the versions are the same. This is really negative, in my opinion. Sell a fucking EP if you want to make more money. I'll buy it. In fact, anyone that would buy multiple version of the same album would obviously buy an EP. As big of a fan as I am and as supportive I have always been - I will not buy all this. And I'm a bit pissed about it.

That said - REALLY GREAT ALBUM!!!

[conversationpc]

Really frustrated with this 4 different version insanity for Rick's new release, and more if you count international versions. I mean, fuck! I want to hear all the songs, but I don't want to pay over $40 to do so when 90% of the versions are the same. This is really negative, in my opinion. Sell a fucking EP if you want to make more money. I'll buy it. In fact, anyone that would buy multiple version of the same album would obviously buy an EP. As big of a fan as I am and as supportive I have always been - I will not buy all this. And I'm a bit pissed about it.

That said - REALLY GREAT ALBUM!!!

It certainly is frustrating and I feel pretty much the same way. I understand, though, that contracts in foreign countries often require an artist to include a bonus track of some kind, whether it's a live version of a previously recorded song or a brand new song.

[yulog]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

[FamilyMan]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

If it was JIMMY Page, perhaps.

[verslibre]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

If it was JIMMY Page, perhaps.

It would still suck because he'd be a parody of himself. "Rick, you forgot to sign the cheque."

[RPM]

Very talented dude, and quite amazing how good he still is at this stage
of his life!

[Andrew]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

You think THOSE two guys are more "masculine" than Rick?

[Memorex]

So been listening to the new album throughout the day. I think this is really Rick's most mature album. It picks up where Venus in Overdrive left off and sounds a little more settled down - lyrically. Not musically - I don't think Rick will ever settle down musically and that's a good thing.

I think this sort of rewards the listener if you have been listening and paying attention for the past couple decades (and reading the book). It kind of feels like a payoff to all the angst of previous albums. Not sure I am making sense here. Like having listened to a friend spill their problems for years and this album is that moment when you see the friend turn the corner to getting it all figured out. Almost a relief, maybe?

I think it's a great album to grab, but I think it really is better having progressed there from the last few.

[Andrew]

Makes sense to me.

[RedWingFan]

Didn't care much for Venus In Overdrive, but S/D/A/A was great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0lCpxz ... ure=relmfu

[yulog]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

You think THOSE two guys are more "masculine" than Rick?

I do remember a makeup wearing phase for Rick and he sure is prettier than those other guys

[Andrew]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

You think THOSE two guys are more "masculine" than Rick?

I do remember a makeup wearing phase for Rick

You must be getting that confused with your boyfriend.

[Ehwmatt]

Didn't care much for Venus In Overdrive, but S/D/A/A was great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0lCpxz ... ure=relmfu

Really? Why not? To be sure, it has some stinkers on there, but What's Victoria's Secret, I'll Miss That SOmeday, Time Stand Still, One Passenger, and Pretty Little Mess are very solid modern AOR. That's 5 songs. That's a solid album.

[yulog]

I heard that John waite and Richard page might be on this cd(which of course gives guys an excuse to actually listen and like this cd)

You think THOSE two guys are more "masculine" than Rick?

I do remember a makeup wearing phase for Rick

You must be getting that confused with your boyfriend.

Sounds more like someone is being a little overprotective of his pretend("god if only he were my")Boyfriend

[StevePerryHair]

Didn't care much for Venus In Overdrive, but S/D/A/A was great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0lCpxz ... ure=relmfu

Really? Why not? To be sure, it has some stinkers on there, but What's Victoria's Secret, I'll Miss That SOmeday, Time Stand Still, One Passenger, and Pretty Little Mess are very solid modern AOR. That's 5 songs. That's a solid album.

Agreed.

Got to see him live right after that album was released, and I enjoyed these songs almost more than his classic stuff! They are heavier live.

[Andrew]

Sounds more like someone is being a little overprotective of his pretend("god if only he were my")Boyfriend

Zing!

[RedWingFan]

Didn't care much for Venus In Overdrive, but S/D/A/A was great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud0lCpxz ... ure=relmfu

Really? Why not? To be sure, it has some stinkers on there, but What's Victoria's Secret, I'll Miss That SOmeday, Time Stand Still, One Passenger, and Pretty Little Mess are very solid modern AOR. That's 5 songs. That's a solid album.

Agreed.

Got to see him live right after that album was released, and I enjoyed these songs almost more than his classic stuff! They are heavier live.

Didn't have it in rotation very much after it came out. I'll have to give it another few listens. Listening to his stream of his new cd. Sounds great. Gonna run out and pick that one up in the morning. Springfield is great...can't wait to see him live again.

[No Surprize]

"Love screws me up" is my favorite tune off of it followed by "The bug". Lot's of really solid tracks overall and on Andrew's tale of the tape, I give it a 90%.

In other news, generic bland ass "Monster" 50% and that's being generous.

[RedWingFan]

I went to Best Buy to pick up a copy and they're sold out. Had an employee check surrounding stores and there's not a copy within a 50 mile radius. They said they may get another shipment in on Tues or Thursday.