Take the title of John Waite’s tenth solo album to heart: it does indeed sound “Rough & Tumble”, rocking harder than he has through most of his solo career. Certainly, there are some slower and soulful moments arriving fairly quickly in the album, too but there’s grit to these ballads and they’re surrounded by some of Waite’s toughest rockers of recent vintage. As good as it is to hear this in the production, what makes “Rough & Tumble” one of Waite’s better efforts is how the songs largely co-written by Kyle Cook of Matchbox Twenty are a solid set of rockers and ballads, a sturdy set of tunes that benefit considerably from their lean, lively production. “Rough & Tumble” is Waite’s first studio album of original material since 2007’s Downtown: Journey of a Heart and long-time fans will not be disappointed. The album features some of the best melodic moments of his career but to Waite’s creative credit it is not a safe retread of a proven pop formula.
“Rough & Tumble” has a stripped down, organic rawness to it. Gone are the huge multi-layered vocals and keyboards in favor of guitar/bass/drums purity. At first a little disconcerting, you’ll soon realize the more straightforward sound is the perfect showcase for Waite’s clear emotive vocals, and also sounds just downright cool. Credit for this new direction must go in part to Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, who was Waite’s songwriting partner for the past year and a half. The combination of Waite’s rich, dignified vocals and Cook’s Southern honkytonk Strat is both sexy and stunning. On the Tom Pettyesque “Evil,” Waite sings, “Start to feel the rush of the 4/4 time / Moonlight’s kickin’ in the door.” The slithery groove and sultry vocal will make you want to turn up the red lights and dance like no one’s watching. Waite goes for the gold on “If You Ever Get Lonely, a ballad so beautiful, it will stop you in your tracks. One of the best songs of Waite’s career, it is as “hit single” as a song gets. (Producers of Showtime’s Californication series should take note: this is the perfect song for an episode.) The acoustic “Skyward” is another highlight: simple yet lush, it is both inspiring and life affirming. And “Better Off Gone” is immediately one of the best breakup songs of all time; full of motion and hope. Gonna let these horses run straight into the morning sun / I’m better off gone. Waite reminds us it’s ok to live, love, lose and, if needed, relocate.
“Rough & Tumble” has a stripped down, organic rawness to it. Gone are the huge multi-layered vocals and keyboards in favor of guitar/bass/drums purity. At first a little disconcerting, you’ll soon realize the more straightforward sound is the perfect showcase for Waite’s clear emotive vocals, and also sounds just downright cool. Credit for this new direction must go in part to Matchbox Twenty guitarist Kyle Cook, who was Waite’s songwriting partner for the past year and a half. The combination of Waite’s rich, dignified vocals and Cook’s Southern honkytonk Strat is both sexy and stunning. On the Tom Pettyesque “Evil,” Waite sings, “Start to feel the rush of the 4/4 time / Moonlight’s kickin’ in the door.” The slithery groove and sultry vocal will make you want to turn up the red lights and dance like no one’s watching. Waite goes for the gold on “If You Ever Get Lonely, a ballad so beautiful, it will stop you in your tracks. One of the best songs of Waite’s career, it is as “hit single” as a song gets. (Producers of Showtime’s Californication series should take note: this is the perfect song for an episode.) The acoustic “Skyward” is another highlight: simple yet lush, it is both inspiring and life affirming. And “Better Off Gone” is immediately one of the best breakup songs of all time; full of motion and hope. Gonna let these horses run straight into the morning sun / I’m better off gone. Waite reminds us it’s ok to live, love, lose and, if needed, relocate.
Track listing
01. "Rough & Tumble" (Luis Maldonado, John Waite) - 4:24
02. "Shadows Of Love" (John Waite) - 4:03
02. "Evil" (Kyle Cook, John Waite) - 4:03
03. "If You Ever Get Lonely" (Kyle Cook, Lisa Drew, Michael Dulaney, Steven Dale Jones, John Waite) - 3:55
04. "Skyward" (Jamie Houston, John Waite) - 4:09
05. "Sweet Rhode Island Red" (Tina Turner) - 3:49
06. "Mr. Wonderful" (Ivan Král, John Waite) - 4:24
07. "Further the Sky" (Gabe Dixon, Tia Sillers) - 4:47
08. "Love's Goin' Out of Style" (Kyle Cook, John Waite) - 4:46
09. "Better Off Gone" (Kyle Cook, John Waite) - 3:50
10. "Peace of Mind" (Mark Spiro, John Waite) - 4:37
11. "Hanging Tree" (Shane Fontayne, John Waite) - 3:21
Credits
John Waite - vocals
Luis Maldonado - guitar
Tim Hogan - bass
Billy Wilkes - drums
Kyle Cook - guitar, programming, backing vocals
Mike Webb - keyboards
Fred Eltringham - drums
Shane Fontayne - guitar
Rodger Carter - drums
Bobby Keys - saxophone
Jennifer Paige - backing vocals
Notes
Recorded at: Doghouse Studio, Los Angeles, CA; Pastel Studios, Nashville, TN; Treasure Isle, Nashville, TN.
Genre: Pop, Rock
Length: 46:05
Label : Frontiers Records
© 2011
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