The year started out slow. But once June hit it seems like every band and their dog is now releasing new material (not that I’m complaining). I just wasn’t expecting it. The other matter I wasn’t expecting was a new Mr. Big album. Since their reunion in 2009 the band has pretty much been on a nice coast upward in popularity and consistent new album material. Mr. Big continues that tradition with album number nine, ‘Defying Gravity’. A very appropriate album title for the band. And overall it’s a very enjoyable album. But certainly not a perfect record (something the band is capable of doing).
The album starts exceptionally strong with one of Paul Gilberts (guitars) best riffs ever in ‘Open Your Eyes’. The lyrics aren’t particularly inspiring, but Mr. Big were never a band to brag about superior lyrics. It’s all about the riffs, ballads and jams with these guys. And on ‘Defying Gravity’ they retain that formula. The record then moves into the title track which actually offers a really creative riff and rhythm before moving into a typical catchy Mr. Big sing along chorus. There’s some thought there. There are songs here that you can tell the band took some time with. The third song, ‘Everybody Needs A Little Trouble’ kind of backs up a bit on the strength. It’s one of those swing rockers that Mr. Big tends to favor. I mean, how many songs do they have that sound like this? The answer: Too many! Then of course it wouldn’t be a Mr. Big album without ballads. And there’s ballads a plenty on this one. Their ballads aren’t consistent. Some are bad some are good and ‘Defying Gravity’ is no exception. ‘Damn I’m In Love Again’ is rushed and predictable. As is ‘Forever and Back’, one of the weakest ballads the band has ever done. It’s just got that chord progression that you know is going to happen. You can almost sing the song without even hearing it. However, ‘Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)’ is a cool, mid tempo ballad with great vocal harmonies. And ‘Be Kind’ is a perfect offering for today’s social climate in the United States.
Again though, it’s the rockers that really hold this record up. ‘Mean to Me’ is as bad ass of a riff as it gets. It’s one of those riffs that you can’t stop listening to. Love those!! ‘1992’ of course charters the bands most commercially successful time period (as short lived as it was). It’s an awesome riff and while the lyrics start out in predictable fashion, they move into a very meaningful space. That space being gratitude for the fans that understand what Mr. Big is all about. And the fans that never stopped listening to the band. ‘Nothing at All’ is the kind of song that gives reason to why I listen to this band. A masterful combination of bad ass funky riffage, sing along chorus’ and poppy bridges.
Overall ‘Defying Gravity’ is another strong Mr. Big release with a few weak points. Is it as good as ‘…The Stories We Could Tell’ or ‘What if…’? That’s debatable. It’s the first album without Pat Torpey playing drums. Filling in is the capable Matt Starr (Ace Frehley). Although Torpey is still involved in production and is pictured with the band. The production of the record isn’t as strong as the previous two releases. However, it still sounds acceptable, especially with Paul Gilbert finding his signature guitar tone in recent years. It certainly is a strong release that will unfortunately go unnoticed by the masses due to that one fucking ballad they wrote in 1991. But if you get the band and you’re a fan, you won’t be disappointed in this album. Be sure to check out tour dates to catch these guys live. You won’t regret it.
A great riff.
A great opener. Mean riff, catchy melodies. It’s what Mr. Big is all about.
A good mid tempo ballad that works. Sometimes they don’t work, but this one does.
