Disco de Bee Gees: “This Is Where I Came In”

WOW!!!!!! I must say I am thrilled about this new release by one of the most legendary music groups! This new cd by THE BEE GEES is stellar!!! I am very picky with my music but every track on this album is excellent! From the opening chorus of THIE IS WHERE I CAME IN to the closing track, VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS, this cd is so great! Anyone who enjoys this group MUST RUN OUT and buy this album! You will enjoy it! Plus, if you purchase it at certain stores, there is a bonus live cd with 3 songs....I'VE GOT TO GET A MESSAGE TO YOU, RUN TO ME, and TOO MUCH HEAVEN!!! Enjoy this cd and THIS IS WHERE I CAME IN!

At long last, the Brothers Gibb have crafted an album that surpasses all their earlier efforts. The sound is more basic (less synthesizer) and more mature (simplifying all their talents). The range is varied, but always maintains an upbeat, rock filled tempo. "She Keeps On Coming" and "Voice In The Wilderness" are amazing surprises of excellent R & B rock. Is this the Bee Gees? Even the ballads are mainstream upbeat, such as, "Wedding Day", "Embrace" and the oddly named, "Loose Talk, Costs Lives". Although, the title track has been chosen as the first single (in the rest of the World), any track could make it, (save for "Technicolor Dreams", which is a pleasant, but odd novelty song). Maurice even tops himself with the Beach Boys styled "Man In The Middle" and "Walking On Air". There are lots of surprises here and there is absolutely no way to try and pick which songs will be chosen for air-play. They are all that good.

I usually listen to edgier stuff, like Elliott Smith, Elastica and Garbage, but I confess that I have always liked the Bee Gees songs that made the charts. Well, I watched that special on A&E a few nights ago and I was AMAZED at their songwriting talent. They have written hits for Dolly Parton, Dionne Warwick...many songs that I had no idea were penned by them! So I ran right out and bought this album... I am happy to say that the recording and arrangements are beautifully done, and it gives me so much joy to hear an old band like this still creating such thoughtful and inventive stuff. "This is Where I Came In" is a great song all around (MORE acoustic next time, Bee Gees!!!!) and definitely ranks up there with some of the best music being done today. The first five tracks are all great. Some of the schmaltzier stuff ("Wedding Day") makes me a little twitchy, but the tunes are interesting and carefully crafted, and you have to remember that the BeeGees have always been known for romantic ballads like this. Overall, I consider this CD a sublime achievement from one of rock's (in my mind) most prolific, underrated and creative groups.

The last Bee Gees album may be their best. There are a couple of weak tracks, but the majority is top noch. And as an added bonus, Maurice(my favorite singer and person of the three) sings lead on two songs on here! That's two as in 2! As in TWO! As in...well you get the idea. Here's my song by song analysis:

1. This Is Where I Came In. 5/5 Stars. This songs starts the album off well, with an interesting acoustic sound. This what Barry meant by "Back to the Basics." It's at a faster pace than their earlier work, but it's a good cut none the less.

2. She Keeps On Coming. 5/5 Stars. This started off as my favorite song on the album. But it slipped after I heard more of the album. Still, it's a great tempo. You would think that this was written by The Rolling Stones.

3. Sacred Trust. 3/5 Stars. This is the weekest song on the first half of the album. It's a pretty ballad, but it could have been a lot better.

4. Wedding Day 5/5 Stars. I didn't like this song at first but it quickly grew on me when I heard Barry and Robin's interplay. One of their finest.

5. Man In The Middle 5/5 Stars. This is first song Maurice sings. It's a great autobiographical track especially the chorus. Concert set-up wise, Robin would be the obvious choice to sing this one, but he can't. This is Maurice's song.

6. Deja Vu. 3/5 Stars. This Robin-Led Song had potential but it gets repetitive after a while. Also there was a strange rap going on at the end. What's up with that? There is a bonus:At the end of the song you can hear the crew talking if you listen close.

7. Technicoulor Dreams:1/5 Stars. My least favorite track on the album. It sounds like a bad show tune based on Barry's singing. The most annoying part is the clarinent. Just like on Deja Vu, you can hear the crew talking at the beginning of the song. The only good thing about it is that it makes a good intro to Walking On Air.

8. Walking On Air: 5/5 Stars. My favorite song on the album. The synthesizers, the tempo, the drum programming, the lyrics, the guitars, and of course, Maurice's incredible voice.

9. Loose Talk Costs Lives: 3/5 Stars. An average ballad. C'Mon Barry! You can do better!

10. Embrace. 5/5 Stars. I just love the up-beat tempo on this one. Reminds me a bit of For Whom the Bell Tolls.

11. The Extra Mile. 4/5 Stars. Good Orchastra feel, but the lack of 3-part-harmony ruins it.

12. Voice In The Wilderness. 4/5 Stars. A great rocker to end the album, and consequently one of the greatest bands that ever lived.

Well for those fans of the Bee Gees who felt left out in the cold when they dropped they're classic `60s & `70s rock sound and went disco around `75, welcome back! It's been a long time coming, but they're new album This Is Where I Came In (Universal) is absolutey brilliant! This is no disco or heavy dance record. This album is not filled with over produced sappy r&b styled songs. This album is CLASSIC BEE GEES and ranks right up there with some of they're greatest works as a well-rounded and crafted work. Past Bee Gees albums that rank up there in my books are Odessa (1969), 2 Years On (1970), Mr. Natural (1974) and Main Course (1975). Yes, they produced some great songs on Children Of The World, Spirits Having Flown, Living Eyes, ESP, One, High Civilization, Size Isn't Everything and Still Waters. But as a genuine album that collects one great tune after the other, well they don't come close. This Is Where I Came In does! The title song "This Is Where I Come In" is just the tip of the iceberg with its "New York Mining Disaster 1941" feel. Maurice who usually gets to sing lead on 1 tune every couple of albums has two here. "Man In The Middle" and "Walking On Air" are brilliant and can easily be top choices for hit singles. The latter has one of the most beautiful choruses from the guys in a long time. This song is a smash! A light Euro dance/rock groove graces both. Barry Gibb turns in some great tunes and some great vocals in his real voice once again. No falsettos here! "Sacred Heart" & "Wedding Day" are beautiful ballads with a country/r&b tinge. On "Voice In The Wilderness" they rock harder than they ever have with Barry spitting out line after line without running out of gas. Perhaps they have been listening to too many Motorhead, Sex Pistols, David Bowie and Iggy Pop records lately! The chorus echoes David Bowie's twisted punky style vocals. Love it! As for Robin "Deja Vu" & "Embrace" show that he also can deliver the goods. Both songs have shimmering acoustic guitars with catchy melodies and choruses that his voice glides over like an angel in flight. The latter once again incorporates a light Euro dance groove. "She Keeps On Coming" has him and the guys rocking `n' rolling. Yes they have put they're rock `n' roll boots back on. I think I said enough already. The other songs are equally as good and now you will have to be the judge. If you have a musician's ear which I have (I'm a musician), you can tell these songs were produced very sparse and that both the music and vocals were recorded live with very few over dubs. Just like they're great `60s & `70s rock classics.