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Music review: Bryan Adams – ëƵShine a LightëƵ

By Clint Rhodes for The 2 min read
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Music review: Bryan Adams - ëƵShine a LightëƵ
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Rhodes

For his 14th studio album, Bryan Adams stays true to the uncomplicated messages that have served the Canadian rocker so well over his fruitful career.

Adams shines in the spotlight as he offers up 12 inspired tracks containing catchy guitar riffs and singalong choruses that would feel right at home on the singer-songwriterëƵs classic albums ëƵRecklessëƵ and ëƵCuts Like a Knife.ëƵ

The title track was co-written with Ed Sheeran and dishes out plenty of infectious rock rhythms with an inspiring message about realizing your dreams without ever forgetting your roots.

Much like earlier hits ëƵHeaven,ëƵ ëƵItëƵs Only LoveëƵ and ëƵ(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,ëƵ romance is in the air once again as Jennifer Lopez joins Adams on ëƵThatëƵs How Strong Our Love Is.ëƵ ItëƵs an electric pairing as Lopez and Adams sing about a love that can withstand trouble, strife and distance.

ëƵPart Friday Night, Part Sunday MorningëƵ possesses a slight hint of rockabilly and reminds me of ëƵYou Belong to Me,ëƵ the opening track from his 2015 album ëƵGet Up.ëƵ

ëƵDriving Under the Influence of LoveëƵ carries the familiar spark first heard on prior hits ëƵSummer of ëƵ69ëƵ and ëƵRun to YouëƵ as the 59-year-old Adams declares to his new found attraction, ëƵI had me a good long look and I like everything I see.ëƵ

ëƵAll or NothingëƵ is vintage Adams with booming chorus and fiery guitar chords that blend to make a perfect stadium anthem about taking your shot without hesitation or doubt as Adams sings, ëƵWorld is turning and thereëƵs no rehearsal.ëƵ

Other highlights include the passionate rocker ëƵThe Last Night on EarthëƵ and melodic ballad ëƵDonëƵt Look Back.ëƵ

The set closes with Adams delivering his version of a traditional Irish folk song. Previously recorded by the likes of Thin Lizzy and Metallica, Adams uses acoustic guitars, harmonica and raspy vocals to give ëƵWhiskey in the JarëƵ a stripped-down vulnerability to the tale of love and misfortune.

Adams may have traded in his jeans and white T-shirt for a more adult-appropriate look, but he can still deliver the musical goods with a youthful vibrancy that proves heëƵs showing no signs of slowing down or changing his tune.

Clint Rhodes is the ëƵ-Standard music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

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