Slight Sales, But Worthwhile

Review Score: (8/10)
Hall and Oates came upon a good trend - strip down the songs and use acoustic instruments if possible. Unfortunately, after recording the album I assume someone at Arista got panicky; there seems to be no other explanation for the second, louder version of "So Close," produced by studio vet Danny Kortchmar and then-hitmeister Jon Bon Jovi, that became the album's big hit. Oddly, Bon Jovi's contribution appears to be limited to the booth (he's not listed as a player in the album's massive credit list, although he and Kortchmar are given partial songwriting credits). Kortchmar contributes guitar with longtime buddy Waddy Wachtel; he's rewarded by having his name misspelled in the production credits.

Anyway, don't go just on the basis of that one song. It does appear H&O were a little dry on ideas - "Starting All Over Again" is a remake of an old Mel & Tim song, "Give It Up (Old Habits)" only credits Hall with additional lyrics, and "Heavy Rain" and "Don't Hold Back Your Love" are written (and produced) by David A. Stewart and Richard Tyson, respectively. But the album is more cohesive than anything they had done since "Voices" (unless you want to count the consistently misogynistic "H2O"). The themes are simplicity (title track), getting back to basics ("Sometimes a Mind Changes") and working to keep what's good in your life around ("Give It Up").

Hall is in good voice throughout, and manages to restrain himself from overdubbing furiously. Oates is, as usual, underused - he's down to one solo spot ("Only Love") and a couple of cowrites. Guests include Heartbreaker Benmont Tench, Siobhan Fahey and Marcella Detroit on backing vocals, and a couple of dozen others - the "band" from "Private Eyes" had ceased to exist by that point.

Start with the last track first (the unplugged version of "So Close," which far outshines the hit version), then program the other songs randomly. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

More Reviews:

• Good little nuggets here
• not that great of an album for H&O fans
• the beginning of the comeback
• Don't let the sales figures deter you from buying this
• Great Songs from a Great Duo
• Good Acoustic Rock Around Here
• Don't Hold Back Your Love is a Fantastic Production
• Not the best thing they've done, but some darn fine moments
• PT = Play Through
• A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER!
• good album
• These songs HIT home for me.
• This is their best!
• The Hit Machine Starts to Sputter
• Strong D Hall vocals in more acoustic than 80's rock setting