Huey Lewis and The News

Plan B

Music by musicians

Review Score:

(10/10)
It's been a while since their last album, but worth the wait. HL&tN represent, sadly a dying art - musicianship. All too many of today's records are synthetic ... synthetic in instrument and the ability of the performer ... but not this one. Here is one of those few albums that comes along only rarely in a decade. Plan B is back to basics - no glossy over-production, just simple, great songs from great musicians. It appeals to so many ages and musical tastes. From the cleverly titled "We're not here for a long time, (we're here for a good time)" to the groove of the title track "Plan B". Alongside other HL&tN albums this is probably ranking 1st or 2nd. Several of the songs feel like they were released 40yrs ago, but with an modern West Coast rock-edge. The album is hugely enjoyable, good-time music, but received with mixed emotions ... not just, as mentioned, that great players are becoming scarce, but also that the album is written by someone with real turmoil in their personal life. The lyrics to several tracks suggest someone close has broken up in a relationship badly ... I wonder ?
It doesn't detract from the fact that this is the album of 2001 so far. Here's hoping this isn't their last !

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