Disco de The Doobie Brothers: “Cycles”

I loved this album when it came out and I still do. "Cycles" came out at a time when a lot of older band - "Little Feat" among them - were finding their footing again and people were realizing these bands still had some great music in them. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up.

The original lineup (well, the Toulouse St. lineup to be fair) of the Doobie Brothers finally got back to together to release an album in the summer of 1989. The result is, in my opinion, their best work. There is really no weakness throughout the album. The Doctor was the huge hit, of course, reaching #9 on the pop charts and #1 on the Rock charts. The followup single was no slackoff itself, as it reached #45 on the pop charts and #3! on the Rock chart. South of the Border also fared well on the rock charts. Musically however, this album flows together so neatly, and each song is so thoughtfully catchy that there are no songs to skip over. Time is Here and Gone is one of the most amazing songs you will ever here - it's message and it's music echo so very true. In fact, lyrically, this album is no doubt the most mature the band ever did. But the music is what makes the Doobs - roaring guitars, sweet acoustics, and their lush, trademark harmonies. This album shows the best of all worlds. So pop it in and be reminded that "Music is the doctor...of my soul".

Now, don't get me wrong, most Doobies purists will cite "Toulouse Street" or "What Were Once Vices" or "The Captain and Me" as THE essential offerings from these American music legends. "Cycles", the first Tom Johnston album since 1975's "Stampede". Johnston left in '76 for "health" reasons. It was later revealed that TJ may have had a substance abuse problem of sorts. He made a minor contribution to "Takin' It To The Streets", but was abruptly upstaged by former Steely Dan session-man Michael McDonald. McDonald's unusual baritone? made for a day-night takeover of the once southern propelled boogie of the Johnston era. Original Doobie Pat Simmons seemed quite isolated by the McDonald takeover. His impact was almost non existent during MM's reign. But what happened was a bit of music history. "Minute By Minute" made the Doobies millions of dollars and earned them album of the year and a few grammies in the process. But Doobie purists were appauled by the change in direction and the loss of one of rock's most recognizable voices in Tom Johnston.

Cycles restores all that was lost and does more. The band ends up making a seemless collection of well honed Doobie material with Johnston making an amazing comeback. "The Doctor" may be nothing more than a recycled "China Grove", but man that's some good recycling! And if the record company (Capitol) was hungry for a "single", they got a beauty. But this album is so much more. "One Chain" immediately refocuses the old fans on the legendary DB harmonies and the band-ly brotherhood that went south during the McDonald era. What's nice is whether its Simmons or Johnston, the philosophy is similar; acoustic guitars, layered electrics and a fierce backing vocal brigade. "Take The Highway" is a great example of this. But it continues on "South of The Border" and the Isley remake of "Need A Little Taste of Love". There's richness to this music that recalls the band's past while moving them forward. Rodney Mills does a nice job maintaining the Doobie sound while updating the production values all at the same time. Gone is rawness of their earlier work. The result is a lean to an R&B sound that works wonders with these mostly TJ compositions. I challange any Doobie fan to find a DB album that is this good from start to finish. The one that comes closest is 1991's "Dangerous". Another forgotten gem produced by Rodney Mills and featuring the biker anthem title track. Get these two in tandem and enjoy a great musical comeback by America's best band, according to me.

While this album was roundly panned by some of the so-called "music critics", I must disagree with them adamently on this one. I really liked this album, and it may well be one of the Doobie Brothers best efforts. I'm one of those fans who like the original Doobies sound (that is....pre-Michael McDonald), and that takes NOTHING away from Michael McDonald (he is a fantastic artist in his own right). This album just sounds like the Doobies efforts of the 1970's and Tom Johnston's lead vocals could not be any better. A fantasic, satisfying effort from arguably the best rock band of the 1970's. If you are a Doobie Bros. fan......you will love it.

If you enjoy the Doobie Brothers as much as I do, this CD is a MUST for your collection. CYCLES, in my opinion, is placed in the same category as "The Capitan and Me" and "What Were Vices . . " It's songs are upbeat as well as soul-searching with that familiar voice of Tom Johnson. It is one that I listen to over and over because ALL the songs are good, not just a few. I already had CYCLES on cassette when it first came out, but from so much use it is getting very worn/damaged. I am ordering it on CD just to ensure I have this in my collection. Try it - I don't think you will be disappointed.