‘Good To Be Bad’ is a celebratory 30th anniversary of Whitesnake’s existence, and is now their eleventh studio album. Despite the title, the album is neither good nor bad, to be honest.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Whitesnake
ALBUM: Good To Be Bad
LABEL: SPV
SERIAL: SPV 98132 CD
YEAR: 2008
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA, England
LINEUP: David Coverdale – vocals * Doug Aldrich – guitars * Reb Beach – guitars * Uriah Duffy – bass * Timothy Drury – keyboards * Chris Frazier – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Best Years * 02 Can You Hear The Wind Blow? * 03 Call On Me * 04 All I Want All I Need * 05 Good To Be Bad * 06 All For Love * 07 Summer Rain * 08 Lay Down Your Love * 09 A Fool In Love * 10 Got What You Need * 11 ‘Till The End Of Time
RATING: 75/100
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Whitesnake Background
It seems a long time ago since this lot first put sound to vinyl. The debut Whitesnake album appeared way back in 1978. Their retro sound captured the obvious Deep Purple influences was to be heard over the next three albums. (‘Love Hunter’, ‘Ready An’ Willing’ and ‘Come And Get It’).
To my surprise, Coverdale still has enough pulling power to attract great musicians for this new 2008 edition of Whitesnake. The musicians listed certainly don’t need any introduction to readers of this site.
‘Good To Be Bad’ is a celebratory 30th anniversary of Whitesnake’s existence, and is now their eleventh studio album. So what’s with the big ‘X’ (roman numeral ‘ten’) on the cover then? Despite the title, the album is neither good nor bad to be honest.
The Songs
The album’s first few songs are pretty good. But I did have to chuckle at the blatant attempt to mimic John Sykes guitars lines. You hear this mimicry on ‘Best Years’ and ‘Can You Hear The Wind Blow’. You’d be wondering who in their right mind put these boys up to the task?
Much better is ‘Call On Me’. At least there’s a bit of originality about it, even if it isn’t truly trademark Whitesnake. A return to the MTV balladry turns up with ‘All I Want All I Need’. Turn back the clock and reflect on tunes such ‘Is This Love’ and you’re in the zone. To be fair, this is one for the AORsters, who I’m sure will love it.
Aldrich and Beach tear it up on a couple of blistering rockers. These include the title track ‘Good To Be Bad’, and the fiery ‘Lay Down Your Love’. The latter features a hint of Coverdale’s vocal lines from ‘Still Of The Night’. It’s not all rock n roll testosterone.
A few ballads are chucked in for good measure. ‘Summer Rain’ and ‘Til The End Of Time’ would sound good in an Unplugged session. I’ll need to give this a few more listens. Though I’m sure the more I do, I’ll be inclined to go and listen to Sykes’ solo CD’s.
In Summary
Fans of the ‘Slide It In’ and ‘1987’ albums will take to this in droves I reckon. Doug Aldrich had a major hand in the making of this record. He was quoted as saying that ‘GTTB’ was supposed to encompass all eras of the band. An admirable quote it might be, but not an accurate one.
For me, I have one major complaint. Whitesnake try too hard to emulate the John Sykes era for my liking. I mean that’s a compliment to John, but really? Considering that Coverdale gave him the boot during the early stages of the ‘1987’ LP release, it smacks of hypocrisy. To think that Coverdale and Aldrich would even attempt to write and play music like this? With even a modicum of Sykes’ influence on this album, it says a lot.
For this writer, it goes to show who really held the keys on that ‘1987’ record. Just look at the follow-up ‘Slip Of The Tongue’. Without Sykes there it really did suck dog balls big time! The other issue, there is very little of the pre ‘1987’ era here, despite what Aldrich is reported to have said.
However, for what it’s worth, ‘Good To Be Bad’ is a creditable release for Coverdale but it’s not without its failings. I personally think he should get back to doing what he does best. Wringing out blues based rockers and build upon his pre ‘1987’ legacy.
Whitesnake should leave this well-worn L.A metal stuff to the kiddies. Simply ecause the days of MTV and million selling records are long gone. Put it this way, the 1994 Coverdale/Page release was much better. If that was anything to go by, then it’s as clear as to which direction Coverdale is best suited.
Whitesnake on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
