Search - Stephen Bishop :: Bowling in Paris

Get over the 80's production values -- This is prime Bish!

Brent Curtis | Canada | 04/16/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many critics have written this one off as lightweight and disposable synth-pop but, as with many of Bishop's best material, there is a refreshing simplicity in the crystalline arrangements. For example, "Parked Cars" is pure pop magic, because Bishop's delicate melody and unabashedly romantic (of course) lyrics are wonderfully matched to Michael Omartian's multi-layered digital synth textures. The outro particularly shines with Omartian working his magic over and extended break of stoccato DX7 patterns. Most of the material here is light and breezy and flows seamlessly from one piece to the next. The acoustic guitar work from earlier albums like "Careless" is noticeably absent, but the presence of 80's uber-stars like Phil Collins makes for new and interesting collaborations for Bishop (including those infamous gated drums on the reworking of "Sleeping With Girls") Although the production hasn't aged especially well, this is not a bad album. If you are a Bishop fan or just curious this has many worthwhile moments. After all, what's wrong with a happy love song now and then?"