He ended up becoming an iconic artist in the 80’s AOR scene and for good reason, Bryan Adams delivered near flawless albums in this decade.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Bryan Adams
ALBUM: Cuts Like A Knife
LABEL: A&M
SERIAL: SP-4919, CD-4919
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Bryan Adams – vocals, guitar, piano * Jim Vallance – percussion * Mickey Curry – drums * Tommy Mandel – organ, synthesizer * Keith Scott – guitars, vocals * Dave Taylor – bass * Alfa Anderson, Lou Gramm – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 The Only One * 02 Take Me Back * 03 This Time * 04 Straight From The Heart * 05 Cuts Like A Knife * 06 I’m Ready * 07 What’s It Gonna Be * 08 Don’t Leave Me Lonely * 09 Let Him Know * 10 The Best Was Yet To Come
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
He ended up becoming an iconic artist in the 80’s AOR scene and for good reason, Bryan Adams delivered near flawless albums in this decade. It didn’t all come on a platter though, there was lots of hard work, graft and grind to get to where he ended up.
As we know, Bryan Adams was a professional musician long before he could shave, aged 15. This was with the band Sweeney Todd.
But by the turn into the 80’s decade he had gone solo, and already had A&M for a label, Jim Vallance for a co songwriter and producer along with top Vancouver producer Bob Clearmountain in his corner.
Two albums were released prior to this one, 1980’s self titled debut and 1981’s ‘You Want It You Got It’, both fairly decent if you ask me, but ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ sees young Bryan about to hit his straps. A bit like a promising tennis player making his way through the ATP rankings, looking to make top 30.
The Songs
The album is highlighted by three killer songs: the title track ‘Cuts Like A Knife’, ‘This Time’ and the super ballad ‘Straight From The Heart’, surely a prom dance song for lovestruck teenagers?
It’s not just about those three songs. Opener ‘The Only One’ is primetime early 80’s radio rock, then there’s the cranky ‘Take Me Up’, or how about the upbeat ‘I’m Ready’ with that fancy synth arpeggio on the chorus. A winner.
‘What’s It Gonna Be’ throws a bit of burleigh in the direction of Eddie And The Tide and Midwest favourites Michael Stanley Band, two solid reference points.
‘Don’t Leave Me Lonely’ is one of the rockiest tracks here and highlights the future importance of guitarist Keith Scott’s role in the Adams studio and live environment. ‘Let Him Know’ is a bit jangly, with acoustic guitars and a power-pop chorus to boot.
Electric piano pervades the ballad ‘The Best Was Yet To Come’, it’s quite nicely done, the lyrics all about personal hardship, something Bon Jovi would specialise in a few years later.
In Summary
Bryan Adams would hit the road, and supported The Police, that pairing even turned up to play in Auckland NZ during late February 1984.
As the history books show, this album was the precursor to the mega successful ‘Reckless’ which followed a year on, but on its own merits stands as an impressive statement of AOR before fame eventually set in.
Bryan Adams on Video
Cuts Like A Knife
This Time
Straight From The Heart
