Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Mr. Big
Label: Frontiers Records
Release: 2017
Runtime: 48:05
Rating: 4.5/5
The legendary Hercules of hard rock, Mr. Big, have given birth to a third album this year, following their reunion and the restart of all band activities in 2009. They gave it a wonderfully tongue-in-cheek title, as is already customary in the band’s »musical folklore«, and dressed it in a new, no less tongue-in-cheek cover. »Defying Gravity« continues the band’s musical tradition. It’s a proper Mr. Big album, and then some. In the nature of its compositions and its energetic vibe (if you will), it reaches back (very effectively) to the band’s first era.
That’s hardly surprising in the end, since for the new album the band called on sound wizard Kevin Elson, who produced the group’s first three studio albums: »Mr. Big« (1989), »Lean Into It« (1991) and »Bump Ahead« (1993). The band is nowhere near trying to imitate that first era, but this time it’s even easier to spot a few musical elements that ring with nostalgia. Matt Starr helped the band out on drums on the album, as Pat Thorpey has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease for many years now. Starr will also join the band on tour, where he’ll help Thorpey with the more demanding parts during the shows.
If we put the albums »What If…«, »…Stories We Could Tell« and now the new »Defying Gravity« side by side, the latter comes across as the most focused and the most clearly defined in its songwriting. The tightest of the bunch. In that sense, Mr. Big have structured the newest songs with the most dedication of the three albums, and they worked in the studio with even more commitment than when making its two predecessors. Let me »simplify«. The combination of breathtaking solo fireworks on the Sheehan – Gilbert axis lives side by side with that ever-present sense of musicality, and this time, of all three albums, it’s in the finest balance. As for punch, meaning the character of the leading melodies (the choruses) and the main motifs, the album serves up the biggest dose of striking compositions, instantly memorable thanks to the great flow between verse and chorus.
As always, Mr. Big clearly lean on the blues treasure chest for their main riffs, while dosing their otherwise hard rock character with a generous helping of playfully flirty »groove« rhythms and soul-funky vibes, in which Eric Martin’s velvety vocals shine. On top of all this, the element that has always kept the band so thrillingly »ruffled« and »edgy« is once again superbly integrated. I’m talking about the measure of unpredictable tricks and »feints« tucked into the compositions, placed especially in the transitional passages, with (the always remarkable) Paul Gilbert as their main protagonist. A guitar phrase that seems to be something you’ve heard somewhere before, the one that defines how the song develops, gets »glued« to guitar ornaments in the transitions, which Gilbert once again places so that they surprise the listener, tease them, shock and enchant them all at once. Exactly what’s most thrilling about Gilbert’s musical genius and the way it shows up in the compositions. That teasing element of unpredictability. Made to the one and only Paul Gilbert recipe, in other words. It’s infused with a fresh dose of the famous »Gilbert-esque«.
A thoroughly thrilling record that embodies the undiminished fire of great musicians. It’s played with remarkable heart and a full-blooded sense of fun. Largely modeled on a live performance, it was recorded in the studio in a single take, which also goes for the bulk of Gilbert’s solos, as he himself pointed out in one of his statements. »Defying Gravity« expresses and embodies the great sense of humor that has accompanied this band since time immemorial. Quality dips or artistic dead air, the »expressive holes« that would steal the listener’s time, are something this album simply doesn’t know. »Defyng Gravity« can be listened to with immense pleasure. From the first second to the last. That’s also how it was played, after all. It’s yet another one-of-a-kind gem and a sparkling little stone in the mosaic of rich breadth radiated by the great artistic insight that stands behind the name Mr. Big.
Line-up
Eric Martin – vocals
Paul Gilbert – guitar
Billy Sheehan – bass
Pat Torpey – drums
GUEST MUSICIAN:
Matt Starr – drums
Production
Kevin Elson
Tracklist
01. Open Your Eyes
02. Defying Gravity
03. Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
04. Damn I’m In Love Again
05. Mean To Me
06. Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)
07. Forever And Back
08. She’s All Coming Back To Me Now
09. 1992
10. Nothing At All
11. Be Kind
