Randy Bachman - SURVIVOR
Joseph D. Pasley | Missouri | 08/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music is great!!! It was not what Amazon.com advertised. They had track listing to include "Axe" and "Survivor." Today (Monday, 01 Aug 2005), they still have too many tracks listed and one is the song Noah from "Axe." So, buyer beware!!!!!!!!!"
A Departure, Yes; But A Worthy Solo Album
REO Fan | Wisconsin | 05/05/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you are a diehard BTO fan, you may not appreciate this. BTO was one of the first bands I followed; they hooked me, at age 14, with "Not Fragile"--still one of my all-time favorite albums. There are shades of BTO on "Survivor," but this album is more of a departure.
Yes, I was diappointed when Randy Bachman left BTO. But I also appreciated his subsequent solo albums. This one is my favorite. I bought it (vinyl) when it came out. I believe you have to grant musicians room to broaden their creative horizons--give them space to spread out.
"Survivor" is perhaps Randy Bachman's most personal album, and that's the charm. Sure, the sound is somewhat dated (you can tell it's 1978), but that's part of its appeal. You get personal lyrics that bring you closer to the man, the artist--a lot closer than anything he penned for BTO. Enjoy songs like "One Hand Clappin'," "Lost In The Shuffle," "I Am A Star," and "Survivor." You will hear an musician free from the merry-go-round that BTO became.
This is a remastered CD version of the album, and as such features eight songs. If you don't expect BTO or Guess Who (or even Brave Belt, Ironhorse, or Union), you may be pleasantly surprised. Hear this for what it is: a soul-searching, personal record from a man freed from the confines of a mega-hit band (and all the expectations, creative constraints, and trappings that come with that). Remember this record is a slice of a specific time period. So listen closely to the lyrics, enjoy the music, put both into context, and turn up the volume while you're at it."
Track Listings (8) - Disc #1