Author: Jernej Vene
Artist: Bad English
Label: Epic Records
Released: 1991
Length: 48:22
Rating: 3.5/5
When Bad English’s debut came out in 1989, music circles skeptically predicted that this supergroup, like many before it, wouldn’t live to see a second record.
But despite internal tensions and pressure from the label, the follow-up Backlash did finally see the light of day. Bad English are vocalist John Waite, who by then had five solo records and his biggest hit, Missing You, under his belt, guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain, both of Journey, where they made enough money to take care of their grandkids too, plus bassist Ricky Phillips and drummer Deen Castronovo.
The band is still top-shelf AOR. Backlash does serve up a few hard rock ingredients too, and that’s mostly thanks to Neal Schon.
Of course, Backlash doesn’t skip the tender, dreamy songs either, like When I See You Smile from the first record. That job goes to The Time Alone With You, co-written by the renowned songwriter Dianne Warren, and Rebel Say A Prayer, penned by the famous Brit Russ Ballard. No need to stress that the record is played flawlessly, since given the pedigree of these guys, that’s never in doubt. Usually the lyrics on pop-leaning records are about love for women, well, love of course
doesn’t always point in just that direction. The song Make Love Last on Backlash is about a father’s love for his son, and it was written by guitarist Neal Schon. A commendable move, since love for our nearest and dearest is almost always in seriously short supply in many places around the world.
Backlash delivers proper punchy rock numbers and a few really catchy ballads that get stuck in your ear fast. Backlash would have made an ideal debut, but sadly that one already existed…
If you’re a fan of good rock and maybe need a few softer tracks in your speakers too, then Bad English give you exactly those two things. All the fun that comes with them, though, you’ll have to conjure up yourselves.
Lineup
John Waite – vocals
Neal Schon – guitar
Jonathan Cain – keyboards
Ricky Phillips – bass
Deen Castronovo – drums
Production
Ron Nevison
Track list
1 So This Is Eden 5:09
2 Straight To Your Heart 4:09
3 Time Stood Still 5:23
4 Time Alone With You 4:40
5 Dancing Off the Edge of the World 4:54
6 Rebel Say a Prayer 4:22
7 Savage Blue 4:33
8 Pray For Rain 5:02
9 Make Love Last 5:19
10 Life At the Top 4:51
