Disco de Chicago: “Chicago 21”

Was this cd the reason Chicago stopped making new music? It might be a disappointing effort but it isn't a total loss by any means. "Chasing the wind" "Explain it to my heart" and "God save the Queen" are very good cuts that I look forward to when I put this one on. But 3 good ones don't make up for the mediocre songs that remain. It's just that the tunes are not well-written because the production and musicianship are top-notch, as always. And the vocals are outstanding throughout. I only wish they had continued to push onward considering the great songwriters they have in the band.

OK - to start, let's take the typical "80s ballad formula" on which most of "Twenty One" is based: massive rhythm section, layers of fizzy keyboards, VERY high lead vocals, and a wailing guitar solo after the second chorus. Rounded off with a highly original key change thrown in for good measure (as on "Explain It to My Heart" and "You Come to my Senses.")

This approach certainly worked for Peter Cetera-period Chicago (and for that matter, innumerable 80s soft-rock groups.) Therein lies the major flaw with this release. While there are a few good tracks scattered around the album (the best being "God Save the Queen" and "If It Were You," funky & reminiscent of early Chicago with the famed horn section back with a vengeance!), much of the material could have been released by Bryan Adams, Michael Bolton, Def Leppard, or Bon Jovi. It's simply not "real" Chicago, just a collection of (mostly) externally-written, bland love-songs, most of which sound more or less identical.

"Chasing the Wind" sounds excellent when it starts with just keyboard & Bill Champlin's vocals, but predictably deteriorates into yet another over-produced power-ballad, with (you guessed it!) the cliched, way-over-the-top squealing guitar solo!

There are still some flashes of brilliance - in places, the horns nearly come to the rescue - but somebody in the record company killed this band's creativity - WHY was Stone of Sisyphus never released????

Well if recent talk / rumours are anything to go by, Chicago XXVII is on the way, which should be a big improvement & something to look forward to!

This CD opens up with a great track - Explain it to my heart then meanders along until What does it take - a super power ballad that sounds like Chicago with P. Cetera on board. Other than that, Holding On is about the other memorable track here. The others are ok and dont deserve the absolute caining that the critics are giving it. It is listenable but not a vital addition to your collection.

This album is largely a collection of highly produced, heavily synthesized power ballads, which had become Chicago's "sound" in the 80's. The difference between 21 and other albums from this era is that the core character of Chicago is, to my ears, almost non-existent here. This album could have come from any number of bands/singers/producers. Another reviewer said that 21 does not hide the horns behind synthesizers - well, we must be listening to different albums. The horns are mostly buried in the mix, or are doubled by synthesizers. Based on the many positive reviews, this sound is just fine for many listeners. But if you're expecting to put on this CD and recognize it as a Chicago album, you may be disappointed. If you're looking for recent recordings (i.e. Bill Champlin/Jason Scheff era) that really sound like Chicago, check out Night and Day or Chicago XXV (Christmas).

Having scored 4 singles on the previous disc, Producer Ron Nevison returned for an entire album this time (well, 11 out of 12 anyway). But all the writers & studio musicians in the world don't guarantee success (are all those people really necessary?) and I'm afraid what worked on HEART and BAD ANIMALS didn't quite click on CHICAGO TWENTY 1. The cover speaks volumes: the logo is muddied down and shoved off to the side, as though the band wasn't even here when this happened. And I'm afraid many of the tunes just weren't that memorable. However, there were exceptions: "Explain It To My Heart" and "If It Were You" were a pair of songs whose lyrics cut right to my soul and wouldn't quit for many months! Also, "God Save The Queen" (Pankow & Scheff) and "Who Do You Love" (Champlin) added some excitement amid all the songs of sadness and heartaches. Once again, I'm glad for CDs-- I can play what I LIKE (and skip the rest).