No need to delve too deeply into maple leaf rocker Bryan Adams past since that’s been done here and elsewhere enough times over the years to fill volumes.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Bryan Adams
ALBUM: Bryan Adams
LABEL: A&M
SERIAL: 393 100-1
YEAR: 1980
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Bryan Adams – lead vocals, guitars, piano * Jim Vallance – keyboards, guitar, bass, drums * Jeff Baxter – guitar * David Hungate, Marek Norman, Colina Phillips, Fred Turner, Peter Bjerring – bass * Sharon Williams, Jim Clench, Tom Szczesniak – bass, keyboards * Gene Meros – saxophone
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hidin’ From Love * 02 Win Some Lose Some * 03 Wait And See * 04 Give Me Your Love * 05 Wastin’ Time * 06 Don’t You Say It * 07 Remember * 08 State Of Mind * 09 Try to See It My Way
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
No need to delve too deeply into maple leaf rocker Bryan Adams past since that’s been done here and elsewhere enough times over the years to fill volumes.
From replacing hot child Nick Gilder at the ripe old age of fifteen in Sweeney Todd, his illustrious songwriting credits with Jim Vallance as well as and more importantly, a multi-platinum solo career, Adams has been one of the most successful and visible artists Canada has produced.
The Songs
Mention Adams’ scorching 1984 AOR classic ‘Reckless’ and most of our readership go weak in the knees, but it might be a surprise to some this reviewer finds Bryan Adams first two records the more interesting of his work as an artist steeped in Canadian pop while still trying to find his own voice.
From the opener and first single ‘Hidin’ From Love’, Adams is clearly aiming for the power pop market, without a trace of a loopy skinny tie to be found. I’m officially knocked out cold by the rock ‘n’ stomp of ‘Win Some Lose Some’ as was Scandal who covered it for their debut.
The Bic-in-the-air mid-tempo ballad ‘Give Me Your Love’ and chugalugging ‘Wastin’ Time’ which was a perfect fit for BTO‘s ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Nights’ album of a couple years earlier.
A bit of Deja Vu flipping over to the second side and nearly the same melody still fresh in the mind is repeated on ‘Don’t Ya Say It’ as Adams takes a stab at Gino Vannelli Montreal cool while ‘Remember’ is the type of melodic rocker that would become his forte on future albums.
‘State Of Mind’ is nothing short of wet-your-britches radio pop as is the albums closer ‘Try to See It My Way’ where Bryan’s raspy tenor soars over massive hooks all the way through to the last note, leaving a lasting impression as one of his best tunes.
In Summary
Hitting the ground running Bryan Adams spent most of 1980 touring Canada’s clubs and student halls extensively as well as supporting old buds Prism on the frosty, but lucrative Hockey arena circuit.
The album received a decent review in Billboard, but not much else happened in the States for Adams which would change significantly and for the better with his 1981 follow-up ‘You Want It You Got It’.
Bryan Adams on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
