Mr.Big - What If...

\r\nFor people that are unaware (!) of the band, Mr. Big is a hard rock group that formed in Los Angeles after, virtuoso bass player, Billy Sheehan, left David Lee Roth, in 1988. Soon after that, he recruited Eric Martin, of the rock-oriented Eric Martin Band and added Paul Gilbert (an, already, well-respected guitarist who had released two albums with his band Racer X) and drummer Pat Torpey (who had toured with Robert Plant among many others) . During their career the line-up also included Richie Kotzen, who replaced Gilbert in 1999. Mr Big have remained active and popular for over two decades, they broke up in 2002, but after requests from fans reunited in 2009 (their first tour was in Japan, in 2009) and their new (seventh) album will be released via "Frontiers Records" in 21st of January 2011. But enough for the introductions and let’s see what Mr.Big introduces with "What If..." in 2011 and after almost 10 years without any releases.
\r\nWell here we are dealing with a cd combined of extremely melodic tracks, great inspiration, the best possible marriage of virtuosity and feeling and by no means is "revealed" that the band has made a break for such a long period. Take a listen to the catchy choruses of "Undertow" (the opening track), "American Beauty" (which retains the feeling of "Addicted to that Rush"), "Once Upon a Time", "As Far As I Can See" and " I Get The Feeling" which will make you sing along with each one. Get into the "feeling" of the slower paced "Stranger In My Life", "All The Way Up" which makes sit back and relax. "Follow" the licks of "Nobody Takes the Blame", "Still Ain’t Enough for Me", "Around The World" and "I Won’t Get In My Way" (one of my favorite ones) which makes virtuosity sound so "simple" and ear-friendly! The overall performance of the band is by all means in extremely high standards. Eric Martin’s voice is brighter and it seems that the years that have passed, not only had no effect on him, but also have made him more experienced. Paul Gilbert amazes with his guitar riffing and licks without being a "show off", while the rhythm section is tight and groovy as it should, with Sheehan’s signature sound and bass-playing being noticeable at a glance.
\r\nAbout production and sound? Well it seems that Kevin Shirley is proved to be a "passe partout", as he can put out the best result and the real character of each band he works with, even if is called Dream Theater or Iron Maiden or (here) Mr. Big.
\r\nEnding, the sure thing is that after the first spin, the following two questions could arise:
\r\n1) using the title of the album : What If ...the band hadn’t split in 2002?
\r\n2) using the band’s name: How (Mr.) Big would have become, if this album had been released in 2002 and had been followed by equal descendants?
\r\nFor me, it seems that the band has managed to combine the feeling of the previous decade, with the freshness of nowadays. Paying respect to your roots, while you sound up-to-date, delivering high quality compositions, full of melodies and catchy lines, is a great accomplishment.
\r\n
\r\nJohn "L.O.V.E. Machine" Litinakis\r\n

\r\n

\r\n:.:Line up:
\r\nEric Martin – lead vocals (1988–2002, 2009–present)
\r\nPat Torpey – drums, percussion (1988–2002, 2009–present)
\r\nBilly Sheehan – bass guitar (1988–2002, 2009–present)
\r\nPaul Gilbert – guitar (1988–1997, 2009–present) \r\n

\r\n

\r\n \r\n

\r\n\r\n

\r\n \r\n

\r\n

\r\n \r\n

\r\n

\r\n \r\n

\r\n