Search - Delp & Goudreau :: Delp & Goudreau

Home-cooked RTZ: strong lyrical content, weak music:

ShriDurga | 06/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I suppose most people looking for this album are fans of Boston, the "More Than a Feeling" 70's rock monster from Tom Sholz. The titular Delp and Goudreau were members of that band, guitarist Barry Gourdreau in its heyday and vocalist Brad Delp through every incarnation right up to the band's last release in 2002. Just a year following, in 2003, the pair released this set of 10 original compositions, having last worked together in the early 90's as part of RTZ (Return to Zero), a middle-of-the-road, melodic rock outfit that scored one big hit before folding.



This album might, in fact, be better thought of as a new RTZ project. Not only are all the old members on hand - drummer David Stefaneli, bassist Tim Archibald, and keyboard player Brain Maes - but so too are a group of songs that fit quite easily in the RTZ mold, although performed at a slower tempo with a more laid-back approach. Produced by Goudreau in his home studio, the songs have a much sparser sound than a full-on RTZ or Boston production. And that's just fine. Bombast is not necessary, nor even expected. Apparently the intention here was to make a quieter, more personal musical statement, with the voice in front and an emphasis on lyrical content.



That turned out to be a good decision with this group of songs, perhaps Delp's most thematically consistent work, a look at life from late middle age. As mortality suddenly looms large, with "time slipping away," Delp reminds us that "we still control our fate" and to use our "precious time ...to live for today." Unfortunately it seems Delp was unable to abide his own advice. Following his suicide in early 2007, "Out of My Hands" now seems like a lost call for help:



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It seems that I've been living in some imaginary place

And when the truth comes bearing down on me

It's more than I can face



Somewhere in a recess that I can't quite recall

Where the voice of reason, hit an emotional wall

Now I feel nothing at all



Except the constant ringing and the voices in my head

Like the sirens sweetly singing, telling me I've been mislead

And the walls keep bearing down on me

With words that must be said

Interaction, with compassion

These emotions that I dread



It's out of my hands - there's a side that cares too much

It's out of my hands - and a side that says don't touch

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Musically, there's not much happening on this album. "Hands of Time" is melodically infectious, and the twangy guitar lines and vocal harmonies on "I Need Your Love" might remind you of George Harrison. But the backing vocals on "Reconciliation" are glaringly feeble, Delp's voice warbles on "Everyday," and the drum fills on "Out of My Hands" are not only predictable, but sound quite thin for real drums. The instrumental "Keep on Runnin," a jam built on a simple riff, might have fit on a Head East album 30 years ago but seems out of place here, as does the album's best rock number, a live version of "The Rhythm Won't Stop," both of which were probably inserted to fill out an otherwise short album.



While not by any means a horrid album, neither is Delp & Goudreau likely to be in heavy rotation in anyone's private music collection. This is an album for collectors, a curiosity for fans, and is probably of little interest to anyone else.



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Not the best, but better than Corporate America

Robert E. Peterson | Tahoe, CA United States | 02/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bought this about the same time Corporate America came out. This isn't the best effort of Mister Delp and Goudreau, the three RTZ cd's are more true to the "Boston" sound we've all grown to love.



This collaboration is pretty "soft" when it comes to rock, the only real rocker is a live piece (Rhythm Wont Stop, tossed in to fill out the tracks, and actually one of the worst on the album. Brad refers to Barry as "My Man"....jeesh.



In any event, this is better than the lame effort from Tom and crew that was and is Corporate America. Lose the chick and stop playing country for crying-out-loud...you're BOSTON!



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