Review: “Old School,” by Nils Lofgren

Since 2007, Nils Lofgren has spent two years on the road with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, played the Super Bowl, had hip replacement surgery and lost close friends, E Street Band members, Danny Federici and the “Big Man” Clarence Clemons. Lofgren throws the emotions from these events and more life experiences into one pot and stirs up an excellent 12-track collection called Old School.

On the rockin’ title track, Lofgren gets a little help from former Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm and takes a shot at all those whiners who would rather complain than get out and actually do something. He takes us back to 1985 with “60 is the new 18,” a tune that shows a guy who is just hitting his stride at 60. “Miss You Ray” is a melancholy, country-infected tribute to the great Ray Charles and other lost loved ones who have affected his life. The celtic ballad “Irish Angel” with Lofgren on piano is outstanding and he gets a little help from the legendary Sam Moore on “Ain’t Too Many of Us Left.” The beautiful love song “Just Because You Love Me” has a nice smooth groove with a great hook and the Springsteen-esque “Why Me” has that unmistakable Lofgren tone on the guitar solo.

Nils Lofgren has always been underrated as a guitarist and a songwriter. Old School might not change all that, but it certainly should.

Nils Lofgren Official Website

“Old School” by Nils Lofgren (YouTube)

“Irish Angel” by Nils Lofgren (YouTube)

“Why Me” by Nils Lofgren (YouTube)

“Miss You Ray” by Nils Lofgren (YouTube)

Review: “Can’t Slow Down,” Foreigner

After 1970s rock heroes Journey made a successful comeback with their Wal-Mart-only deal last year, Foreigner hopes to hit it similarly big with their new one, Can’t Slow Down.  Of course it’s available only at Wal-Mart (unless you want to download it), and of course it sounds like the old Foreigner.  And of course, there’s a new lead singer.

That’s Kelly Hansen and although he’s no Lou Gramm, he is certainly no slouch.  The title song has the pole position on the first CD (there’s two CDs and a DVD) and you should know it’s some kind of NASCAR tie-in.  No matter: it accelerates out of the gate, propelled by the guitar work of Mick Jones, Foreigner’s only remaining original member.

Even better is “In Pieces,” a cruisin’ song that they don’t make any more.  By the time you get to the third song, “When It Comes To Love,” you know you’re locked in.  Hansen’s voice feels just right, and the sax work (by Tom Gimbel) is just the right hook for this 21st century power ballad.

The rest of the album moves along in a nearly rockin’ mode, offering highlights “I’ll Be Home Tonight,” which sounds like it could have part of Foreigner’s back catalog, and the rocker “Too Late,” which appeared on another Foreigner collection last year.

Did Foreigner Miss The Boat?

Foreigner's new lineup

In the late 1970s, the band to beat was Foreigner.  They sold millions of records beginning in 1977 when their self-titled debut spawned the monster hits “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice” and “Long, Long Way From Home.”  They have sold 50 million albums around the world, and in their heyday were a powerhouse live act.

So why aren’t they enjoying the same success that like-minded arena rockers Journey is having?  Well, for one thing Foreigner didn’t make a deal to sell their records at Wal-Mart.  Journey and the Eagles made deals with the department store giant and sold millions; AC/DC’s Black Ice, to be released on Columbia Records this October, will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores.