He's back!
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 03/12/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
""I'm Back" is a fitting opening number for Circus Bar, the long-awaited second album from former Bad Company vocalist Brian Howe. It's been a long time since 1997's Tangled in Blue (or Touch, if you have the 2003 reissue), and it seems like every year I would read another interview where Howe would tease us with the possibility of new music.
Tangled In Blue was a very light, pure AOR album, and Howe promised a harder rocking album this time around. Well, Circus Bar still has plenty of slow and sappy love songs, but there is definitely more of a rock edge this time around. The first four tracks are all upbeat rockers, as is the hard-hitting "If You Want Trouble." I'd have loved it if the rest of the album was in the same style, but the second half of Circus Bar is pretty low key. Still, with a voice like Howe's, even the radio-friendly love songs sound that much more impressive. He sounds about as good as he did on those classic (to some, at least) Bad Company albums. The only real dud on Circus Bar is "My Town", an ode to football and the heartland where Howe seems to be channeling his inner Toby Keith (or maybe John Cougar Mellencamp).
In addition to the new material, Howe also revisits his Bad Company days with new versions of "How About That" and "Holy Water." The updated "How About That" is kid of flat, actually, but the acoustic version of "Holy Water" was a cool touch.
Was it worth waiting 13 years for? Probably not. It's still great to hear Howe's warm powerful voice again though. As long as you're not expecting another Holy Water, fans of Howe's work in Bad Company should enjoy Circus Bar, as should anyone who enjoyed his earlier solo material. Hopefully he won't keep us waiting quite so long for a follow-up."
Better than I expected!
Chris Martin | 03/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A great CD from beginning to end. I totally disagree with the review below that says the CD blows and there are no hooks. The CD is full of hooks and melody. Much better than his last CD...The version of Holy Water is very different but I actually like it better than the original. Highly recommended!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1