Back to the Rhythm Reviews

• "Play On," indeed!

  
  By A3ANHSKABDSPFK on 2007-07-18
  Great White pulls off a highly enjoyable return to their roots in this, one of their most consistently solid efforts to date. Disclaimer: I'm not a diehard fan of GW and own about half their albums. This instantly became my favorite due mostly to lack of filler. I'd rather have 12 strong songs that I enjoy straight through than 7 great ones and 5 clunkers, for example.
  
  The insert is everything you'd imagine; obligatory thank you's, credits, a pic of the band and the always welcomed lyrics section. There is also a classy nod/dedication to the victims and survivors of the infamous "Station Fire." I don't know if any proceeds from the album go to a fund but that's beside the point. Back to the review!
  
  Back To The Rhythm: Love it! It's the "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" of the album for me. Classic GW keyboard/guitar jam and fast-paced. Solid opener and a highlight. I dug the version released on their "Thank You, Goodnight" album and am pleased to see it's inclusion here.
  Here Goes My Head Again: Co-penned by Jack Blades and Michael Lardie, another winner! Upbeat and catchy.
  Take Me Down: Heavier, bluesier, more plodding but still enjoyable. This one was co-written by all the GW bros in the current lineup and took a few listens to grow on me. However, it did, and I'm diggin' it.
  Play On: Another highlight! Also, featured on "Thank You, Goodnight," and I'm elated to see it appear here. The studio version found on BTTR is a little funkier in places and the keys are prominent. Fantastic!
  Was It The Night: Sad love songs. Something about sad, bluesy love songs. I just like 'em. Another thumbs up!
  I'm Alive: Well executed, positive love song.
  Still Hungry: Didn't make a strong first impression. However, it wasn't bad either. Fast-paced. I'd have rather seen the "30 Days In The Hole" cover they're using on the European version... It's just somewhat trite and the lyrics seem very "80's" to me. Didn't White Lion and Winger already do this? grin
  Standin' On The Edge: Back to something cool! I love it, classic GW. Mark and Michael definitely have chemistry on these uptempto groovy numbers.
  How Far Is Heaven: In my top 3 favorites! Very nice ballad dealing with mortality. Poignant and masterfully done.
  Neighborhood: Uptempto but not as catchy as the others. I'm sure it'll get better with additional listens. Lyrics are good!
  Cold World: Mark Kendall is definitely an underrated guitarist. I really dig this riff-heavy song. Dark, bluesy, not a standout but not filler.
  Just Yesterday: A tribute and reflection on times gone by for a 20+ year veteran band. Slow, intricate guitarwork and a very nice vocal from Jack. Great closer!
  
  I don't like to take the time much anymore to write reviews. It's fun but I have no idea how many people read or appreciate them. But this cd deserves as much acclaim as it can get. The vocals, song-writing and musicianship are all top notch here. It won't change the world but it is certainly more enjoyable than most of the "current rock" I hear nowadays. 12 kudos to GW!
  
  Lastly, I have no illusions about GW not being a "hairband." They don't either; just look at the VH1 compilations they participate in. I think the term "hairband" has a negative connotation when it shouldn't. I'm always seeing fans of GW, Cinderella, Tesla and others talk about how much better they are than their "contemporaries" and how they shouldn't be categorized the same. Honestly, the genre was and is still pretty darn cool. There are just as many GW's and Tesla's in it as there are Poison's, Ratt's and Warrant's (all of which I enjoy, for the record!). So, just enjoy the music, turn it up and don't worry about the justifiable "hairband" tag that goes with it. Just bang your heads proudly and raise your glasses! And when the ballads kick in, hold your lighters high and make out with your chick. Call it Rock n' Roll!
  
  

• Still Rockin'

  
  By A378I9YIPLBM1G on 2007-07-18
  I'd forgotten how much I miss rock the way it was played back in the 80s. Back then I worshipped bands like Ratt, Guns n' Roses, Motley Crue and Def Leppard. I remember liking Great White's "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" but didn't have any of their albums (yes, back then we had the vinyl and maybe a cassette or two). This summer, I threw a huge 80s party and reconnected with the music I loved. I found myself really drawn to the blues-rock that Great White features; when I found they were releasing a new CD I preordered it immediately. I've not regretted the purchase. These guys still know how to rock! Give them a chance and I think you'll love what they have to offer!
  
  

• Great White still rocks- in 2007!

  
  By A1NQ52HOLN287N on 2007-07-18
  What a pleasure it is to hear a new Great White album! I went out and bought this immediately - and it is everything I thought it would be. A fun, rocking, blues-based hard rock CD - great for old fans and hopefully some new ones too. 'Still Hungry' echos eeriely of their 80's heyday, but the lyrics reflect the tough times these guys have been through recently. 'Cold World' has a great hypnotic chorus - with a 90's-ish feel. The title track is just great ride, welcoming all of us back to the fold. I'm so happy to hear Jack Russell and Mark Kendall rocking like they've never stopped. Jack's voice still sounds amazing - his soft purr or scream of a voice somewhere between Vince Neil and Robert Plant. This is a MUST HAVE for any fan of 80's rock or metal. If these guys can keep rocking even after the hardships they faced in 2003 - it shows something about the power of rock n roll. PS: They also dedicate the albums to the victims of the tragic 2003 fire in Rhode Island. I'm just glad they kept it together and their love of music is still going strong. We could use a little Great White music in 2007!
  
  

• 4 1/2 stars for great veteren hard rock/blues band

  
  By A1H0PFSQQMBP3D on 2007-09-06
  To think that these guys were and still are grouped with the like of Ratt, Poison and Warrant never made sense to me. if anything I'd group them with the likes of Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and maybe even the Black Crows or the Allman Brothers. I guess it was the time and how GW still tours with bands of the mid to late 80's pop metal scene.
  
  At the start of thier career thier sound was stright ahead hard rock ala AC/DC. A few years later they add a little more keyboard sound and also a bluey feeling to the Albums like Once Bitten and Shot in the Dark. By the time 1989 came they were huge stars and the the Platinum ...Twice Shy they even had a top ten hit with the Ian Hunter cover (most people don't even know it was or is a cover) Once Bitten, Twice Shy. i would consider that record today to be a classic. Now by 1991 when Hooked was released, I have to admit that in 1991 at the age of 16 I really only liked a few of the tracks on Hooked. Aside from Call it Rock and Roll, Can't Shake it and Desert Moon, the whole record was very different and looking back today, I'm glad it was. In the years to come the band released 3 or 4 more great records that didn't hit well with the public and that is fine.
  
  Now 2007 the new release Back to the Rhythm picks up where the last few left off. Great Guitar work from Mark Kendell, supurb vocals from Jack Russell (as good as he was on teh last solo album For You) Song writing lacks in some areas, but that is really the only flaw I have found and that is just my opinion. Play On should remain as a Great White concert staple as well as the Title Track being that it picks up where Twice Shy left off and the best part is that they wrote this one!
  
  The best thing I could say is if your a Great White fan or not, you will NOT be disapointed with this CD.
  
  
  
  

• wow!!!!!!!!they are back

  
  By ANM8ESJB228WD on 2007-07-17
  I have been a fan since the early eighties even before they had much success and I must say surprisingly this is one of the best that they have ever put out.Jack's voice has not demenished a bit and Mark's guitar is still more awesome than ever.Many of the bands from the eighties that have done cds as of late are pretty washed up but this one is really good ,there best since twice shy.Of coarse I should have expected it to be good considering they were never like the other hairbands that they are often grouped with ,they actually had and still do have lots of talent.Rock on boys!!!!!!!!!!YOU ARE STILL GREAT WHITE
  
  
• A good comeback
  By A24AHB3TSF5017 on 2007-08-23
  If you're a fan of GW, then this whole album is very familiar. There aren't really any surprises, just more good solid content that is mostly in a similar style as some of their previous work. Overall, the album takes a little more relaxed, mature tone as opposed to being a hard-rocking album all the way through. It has it's strong tracks and not so strong ones too, but overall it's worth buying if you have previously enjoyed the GW sound. How many good ROCK albums are made these days anyway? Not many. If you enjoy traditional rock performed by skilled musicians, the rarity of that these days makes it worth purchasing all by itself - support the craft.
  
  
• Excellent comeback album
  By AODZH85JTRGFB on 2007-07-24
  This is as good as the "Can't Get There" album, and probably their best recording since 1992's "Psycho City". If you like their brand of blues-based hard rock, you will NOT be disappointed with this one. Standouts include the title track, "here goes my head again", and "standin' on the edge", but the whole album is particularly strong. No overly-modern or brand new style here, this is Great White simply doing more of what they've always done best.
  
  These guys can still rock, as this effort proves, and I certainly hope they stick around for a long time.
  
  
• WOW!
  By A3ACP434F163W4 on 2007-08-19
  Just saw them last night at JAXX. There were incredible. Hard to believe after 25 years that they are still that good. Absolutely flawless!
  They played some of the new songs on the CD, so I picked it up. The rest of the songs are as good if not better than the ones they played last night.
  Great Band - and GREAT CD!
  
  
  
• Great white is the best
  By A1AIX7ESZ1ZN88 on 2007-07-19
  I have been a great white fan for a long time, I was so happy to hear that they have a new album It is the best I have heard in a very long time they have made a great come back KEEP ON ROCKIN
  
  
• Shark attack on the horizon
  By A979SO7IACZU7 on 2007-07-27
  It's good to see that GW is back,and,might I say,with a vengeance. I kind of quit listening to them after Once Bitten,but after listening to this latest release,it takes me back to what I believe was their best effort "Shot in the Dark".This one stands along beside it as a fine Rock 'n'roll release. It sounds like 1985 all over again,and in this case,that's a good thing!
  
  
• Love it!! THEY ROCK!!!!
  By A1EGTEDJILN3F2 on 2007-08-09
  I LOVE GW. JACK COULD SING MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB AND I'D LOVE IT. HE'S TERRIFIC AND SOUNDS AS GREAT AS EVER AND HE STILL LOOKS THE SAME AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. MARK KENDALL IS ALWAYS GREAT, AS IS AUDIE AND MICHAEL. I REMEMBER SEAN MCNABB WHEN HE WAS WITH 'BAD BOYS' WAY BACK IN THE EARLY 90'S WITH PAUL SHORTINO. THERE'S ANOTHER GREAT SINGER, PAUL!
  
  
• A relevant rock album
  By ATUJ1L7S0IX26 on 2007-08-21
  I received this cd last night and I have had enough time to listen to it twice, WOW. Great white have taken a different direction with this offering and it has made a big impact on the album. The first 4 songs are fantastic.
  
  The band sound tight and really lay down a great beat.
  
  One downer is that the website on the inside of the front cover does not exist!
  
  Can't wait for the Great white/KISS New Zealand tour!!! Bring it on!
  
  This album is a joy to listen too, fresh rock!
  
  
• Great White is still GREAT!
  By AC3WX0AKW4MSL on 2007-08-24
  This CD is the Great White I used to know. Back to Basics. I loved every song! Their latest CD'S left something to be desired, but this one is fantastic. I think all hard core Great White fans and lovers will be very satified.
  
  
• Another great album from Great White
  By A1TDKJ5PEFCJYK on 2007-08-31
  Other people have reviewed this cd better than I can but what it comes down to is this is a great straight forward bluesy-rock record with a lot of catchy, well written tunes. If you like this type of music or are a Great White fan, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It doesn't disappoint.
  
  
• GIVE ME BACK THE MONEY I SPENT ON THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A3V4MPFBHZJZOR on 2007-09-16
  Back to the Rhythm? This album is all filler and no killer. I only listened to this once. It says that "the band and Jack Blades" wrote the lyrics, that I believe. Who wrote the music? This is not GW nor Jack Blades. If they were looking to recap their original sound they were fooling themselves. They found originality in something. Psycho City took a few listens to catch on to. Can't Get There From Here only took one listen to get hooked. This is just something that I should have waited to buy in a used bin somewhere. If I ever met the band, I would ask for my money back.
  
  
• Excellent album
  By A38XPAR0VKKQ27 on 2007-10-13
  This is a great album. Very much in line with the best of the Great White albums from the past. It's bluesy, it's got a rhythm that keeps on beating. It's laid back, great to listen to over and over again. The vocals are still strong. Much better album than "Can't get there from here" album which was tepid, a little better than "Sail Away" album. I would compare it to "Let it rock" album in terms of the quality of the songs. The song arrangement in terms of guitar, keyboards blending together and vocals is really good. Lyrics are great. This is a great album overall, if you're a Great White fan you'll love it for sure. After so many years these guys still rock, it's nice that they still do that.
  
  
• They're Back!
  By A1FL9F97P6OIOY on 2007-10-17
  The Great White is back to haunt you again! I'm glad to see these guys come back with their mostly original line-up. These songs are rock solid and back to what they do best, rock! They don't try to shred or use overly distorted guitars. they write solid songs and Mark lays down the infectious groove of yesteryear. My favorite sond on theis recording is Yesterday. It may be on the ballad side, but it is my favorite. All of the songs on this effort are sing-along-able! I love to crank the system and sit back and have a cold one for these guys. They've gone thru alot recently and deserve to get high kudos for this outing. It fits right in with the modern era of throwback rock and will take you back to the good ole' 80's without any sacrifice of being too old school. I love it and would highly recommend it to anyone who like pure rock music!!!!!!
  
  
• Barely four stars...
  By A7VYYVTMIFT9M on 2007-11-19
  How does this compare to other Great White albums? If you're into a "laid back" type of Great White, with less passion and energy than their classic releases from the 80's, than you'll like this. I was a bit disappointed. All the elements are there, but it's Jack Russell that I'm disappointed with. If you look at an album like "Hooked", for example, there aren't necessarily a lot of fast tunes. A lot of them are mid-tempo. Dido on this one, which is fine, but the difference is that Jack screams out the vocals here and there or brings his voice up to that first tenor level, where it really adds conviction to what he's singing. Not happening here... And to me, it's not really "classic" Great White anymore. Other than that, it's a really good album. However, it's not up to the calibre of "Once Bitten", "Twice Shy" or even "Hooked". I don't think Jack is that old yet, he shouldn't be taking the "easy road" on the vocals. It's a shame because, to me, he was probably once one of the best voices in hard rock, along with Rob Halford, Graham Bonnet and Ronnie James Dio.
  
  
• Great White delivers the best CD of 2007
  By A2E03GQRY53O9D on 2007-12-31
  "Back to the Rythmn" is easily the best CD of 2007 and one of Great White's best CD's EVER. There is not one bad track on this CD which delivers all types of hard rock in superior fashion: A bit of Heavy Metal, some Rolling Stones type of rock, a few excellent ballads, straight ahead hard rock and more. Great White is one of the most underrated bands in rock history. Its nice to have them back and in top form.
  
  
• Back to the Rockin'-This is a keeper!
  By A1DCKN38VP650B on 2008-02-15
  Great White continues to carry the torch for true rock fans out there! GW were never pretenders and on their latest effort they don't disappoint! This is exactly what you want from a GW album. Honest, straight-forward rock and roll. To the guys in the band, please keep it coming!! For anyone wondering, the album is very tenderly dedicated to those affected by the tragic fire at the bands show in West Warwick, RI back in 2003.
  
  
• greatrock
  By A3SZZETB3L1YT on 2008-05-07
  this is a great cd hope to here more from greatwhite bill petreman
  
  
• Back to the Rhythm
  By A87F9QTQOIAEO on 2007-07-30
  Disappointed. Not a single song really stands out. I feel the band was either lazy or didn't care...weak songs and most of them sounded like previously recorded songs with a few changes in the notes to make it sound like they were trying to be original but couldn't do it. I was hoping to hear some blues melted down with some hot riffs and new stuff--songs to rip your head off and also make you feel the blues like their older stuff. Sorry folks but a real let down, save your $$$ on this one.
  
  
• Classic Great White!
  By A3KCORI6MP8LZ4 on 2007-08-14
  It's playing in the CD player right now. Like the review line above says, the sound is just classic Great White. If you like their bluesy brand of rock and roll, you won't be disappointed. A lot of the songs seem to remind me of other past popular song from the guys. "Back to the Rhythm" reminds me of "Call It Rock and Roll" and would've demanded air play in an earlier day. All through the album, their sound is pure Great White with that sound that is always very musical without any of that uncomfortable feeling of lesser bands who have to put effort into making their songs flow. As usual, their music just seems to flow with even my less favorite songs still sounding good enough that I don't feel the need to skip to the next song. I can just imagine people taking individual songs and citing "rip offs" of past songs, but it's just their style of making music. Love it or leave it. I love it and will continue to buy any future releases.
  
  
• mellower but standard great white
  By A3P1YUETWJJOWU on 2007-09-10
  This album is very good - not great like once bitten or twice shy, but on par with psycho city and sail away. Much better than the last release: can't get there from here. Not as heavy, more laid back.
  
  
• Wow, what a difference
  By A1QVBQIDG0CR17 on 2007-10-19
  If you're used to Great White rockin songs like "Out of the Night" and "No Way" you'll be REALLY disappointed like I was with this new album. It sounds like it was recorded at a home studio and there was no producer. Very insincere, uninspired lyrics and very lacking guitar work- I expected MUCH more from Mark Kendall and Jack. It's a shame.
  
  

• Good To Be Bad
• Humanity Hour 1
• Great White: Live & Raw
• Real to Reel
• Real to Reel, Vol. 2