Mr. Big Album Review

Mr. Big

"Defying Gravity"

New Album Release July 7 2017

Frontiers Music s.r.l.

Review By: Jake Warkel

MR. BIG is set for a “Defying Gravity” worldwide tour which starts May 31 in Milwaukee, WI at the Potowatami Casino. The original members of MR. BIG have come together once again and recorded their ninth original studio album “Defying Gravity”. Eric Martin (lead vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitars), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums) and also have joined forces once again with producer Kevin Elson who has produced MR. BIG’s 1989 self-titles debut, 1991 “Lean into It” and 1993 “Bump Head”. Having Kevin back as the producer now the band immediately felt the magic chemistry with him on “Defying Gravity” said Paul Gilbert. MR. BIG spent an intensive six-day recording session in Los Angeles. While Torpey was unable to perform some of the songs on “Defying Gravity” due to a recent diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, touring drummer Matt Starr had filled in for him on a majority of the new album.

Track one “Open Your Eyes” Starts out in MR. BIG fashion with a great guitar licks and groove also this song has a great melody. Instantly catchy “Defying Gravity” with Paul Gilberts guitar, and Eric Martin’s vocals grabs you and song structure was perfect. ”Everybody Needs a Little Trouble" a great groovy tune that keeps you moving, backing vocals sound great of course. MR. BIG is not complete without having an a acoustic song “Damn I’m In Love Again” is an upbeat diddy, it’s not a country song but it has a touch of country sound to it, in my opinion this song will be on people’s music rotation for sure. So far this album is to my liking with the first four tracks sounding great. The guitar and bass trade-offs on this song “Mean to Me” shows Gilbert’s and Sheehan’s talents as you are accustomed to hearing on the rockin tune. Great melodies, Harmonies, this acoustic jam with perfect lead guitar blended in works well on “Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)” then powerful Backround vocals and choruses with strong leads that are built up to be larger than life on “Forever and Back”
“She’s All Coming Back To Me Now” reminds me of some of those classic 70’s groups with wonderful backgrounds on the chorus the way its constructed just made me think of the Styx. Ripping guitar right out of the gate on “1992” and settles to a good groove blues feeling. “Nothing at All”
has a bluesy soulful feel as well as “Be Kind” continues to move in that direction with a bit slower more feel mode, until the end of the song with turns into a heavy jam session where Paul Gilbert lets loose all and all great album.


“Defying Gravity” is by far not a metal album it’s a rock, blues album that does not compare to their earlier works at all. These talented seasoned pros know music and are great musicians that definitely know song structures and know how to create wonderful melodies, harmonies, licks, vocally strong leads as well as backgrounds, experimental, not afraid to do what sounds good to them and never do status quo, thats what makes MR.BIG always so interesting, we all know how talented they are, they can play any style any genre that they wish too, for these well rounded musicians I completely respect this album and like this album, so many great tunes on this “Defying Gravity” album which makes perfect purchase sense.




Eric Martin - Vocals
Paul Gilbert - Guitar
Billy Sheehan- Bass
Pat Torpey- drums
With Matt Starr – drums

Produced by Kevin Elson"Defying Gravity" track listing:

01. Open Your Eyes
02. Defying Gravity
03. Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
04. Damn I'm In Love Again
05. Mean To Me
06. Nothing Bad (About Feeling Good)
07. Forever And Back
08. She's All Coming Back To Me Now
09. 1992
10. Nothing At All
11. Be Kind


MR.BIG “Defying Gravity” Making Of (Official) https://youtu.be/JsZXXmwkP4o

 

Check out MR. BIG at any of the following tour stops:
Wed 5/31 Milwaukee, WI Potowatami Casino
Fri 6/2 St. Charles, IL Arcada Theatre
Sat 6/3 Wetland, MI The Token Lounge
Tue 6/6 Warrendale, PA Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
Wed 6/7 Newton, NJ Newton Theatre
Fri 6/9 Uncasville, CT The Wolf Den/Mohegan Sun
Sat 6/10 New York, NY B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
Mon 6/12 Nashville, TN Basement East
Wed 6/14 Lexington, KY Manchester Music Hall
Fri 6/16 Dallas, TX Gas Monkey Live
Sat 6/17 Houston, TX Scout Bar
Mon 6/19 Kansas City, MO Knuckleheads Saloon
Thu 6/22 Tempe, AZ Marquee Theatre
Fri 6/23 Agoura Hills, CA Canyon Club
Sat 6/24 Pasadena, CA The Rose

http://www.mrbigsite.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mr.-Big/e/B000APXKDO/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1342468385&sr=8-1
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrbigmusic
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/mrbigmusic

- More at UnRatedMagazine.com