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"Much more nuanced and diversified than "Bump Ahead", "Hey Man" is a return to classy, racy Hard Rock but represents a break for Mr Big, who is now a shadow of his former self."
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4/5
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Mr Big achieved worldwide fame in just two albums. From "Bump Ahead" onwards, success is going to wane, except in Japan, where popularity will grow until the twilight of the twentieth century. Three years elapses between the third album and "Hey Man", and it is in the middle of the grunge and nu-metal decade that Mr Big strives to make his melodic Hard Rock resonate. The Californians abandon their old-fashioned big rock for a better-produced, more ambitious rock.
"Hey Man" is the album that most closely resembles "Lean Into It", with its varied, well-produced compositions and careful attention to arrangements. 'Take Cover' is a real anthem that could have appeared on Mr Big's magnum opus, and 'The Chain' proves the band's audacity by adding light but enriching orchestrations. Much more nuanced and diversified than "Bump Ahead", "Hey Man" is a return to classy, racy hard rock.
References to early inspiration Van Halen are far behind, and every track on this album is original in both tempo and melodic architecture. 'Out Of The Playground' is as disconcerting as it is explosive, and Gilbert's solo proves that the weight of years has no hold on this technical monster. "Hey Man" contains fewer cheesy ballads, replaced instead by far more digestible mid-tempos. 'Dancin' Right Into The Flame' and 'Goin' Where The Wind Blows' are two fine songs that demonstrate the band's ease in composing this kind of crowd-pleasing format.
Despite a more than encouraging fourth album, the separation happens. Paul Gilbert answers the call of his former band Racer X, but above all takes the time needed to launch his solo career, which begins with the excellent "King Of Clubs" in 1998. After two more albums on a drip with the help of new recruit Ritchie Kotzen, Mr Big becomes a shadow of his former self. We'll have to wait thirteen years to see the legend revived. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Trapped In Toyland - 04:24
02. Take Cover - 04:38
03. Jane Doe - 03:36
04. Goin' Where The Wind Blows - 04:19
05. The Chain - 03:46
06. Where Do I Fit In ? - 04:22
07. If That's What It Takes - 04:47
08. Out Of The Underground - 04:05
09. Dancin' Right Into The Flame - 03:02
10. Mama D. - 04:32
11. Fool Us Today - 04:23
LINEUP:
Billy Sheehan: Basse
Eric Martin: Chant
Pat Torpey: Batterie
Paul Gilbert: Guitares
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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Top of the page
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
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STAFF:
4/5 (1 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH MR BIG
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OTHER REVIEWS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT MR BIG
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