Album Review - Foreigner - Can't Slow Down

Foreigner's "Can't Slow Down" is a Wal-Mart exclusive and also features a NASCAR tie-in off of the first (and title) track. Not bad for a band that hasn't even put a glimmering beep on the radar since "Mr. Moonlight" over a decade ago (an excellent and underappreciated album in its own right).
Mick Jones, guitarist and sole original member whips up some classic sounding tracks and Kelly Hansen does a fine job of taking up the reins where Lou Gramm left off. In fact, he is a brilliant choice for vocalist as his voice manages to hit some of those nostalgic Lou Gramm nuances. He obviously has been brushing up on his vocal mimicry of Gramm and has it down to a rather energetic (and sometimes elegant) science. His subtleties and mannerisms are as genuinely entertaining as Gramm's once were and his fiery, flirty, playful, and sometimes desolate mood swings bring high emotion to this crackling disc.

Jeff Pilson heads up the bass and his lines are often thick and cutting, giving a nice presence. "Can't Slow Down" is styled in the old Foreigner manner, with sazzy sassy saxophones and whirling keys adding texture to the songs. There's a playful side as in the classic rock bits from their golden early days and also more serious, fluid, softer rock as heard on the moody "Mr. Moonlight". It is a potent combination, and it only takes a few songs to get this groovy AOR-esque album moving and it rocks here and there like nobody's business. Heart and soul, hooks galore, strange and fascinating synth when you least expect it, this is undeniably good and surprisingly detailed.

"Can't Slow Down" has a firecracker heart and barrels ahead as an arena rocker. "In Pieces" has this wanderingly free feel, as if its tethered to existence by rhythm section and warbly keyboards alone. Vocally its all soft electric jolts and melting smoothness dominating throughout. A laid-back, cruiser track. "When It Comes to Love" takes the cake as the luscious semi-ballad first single. Meandering silky melodies of this regretfully piercing piece is given life by the velvet voice wrapping around the verses and lifting to urgently wistful passion in the saxophone spiced chorus.

"I Can't Give Up" is a ballad etched in pain, but one that carries a great deal of faith and love behind it. A story of a fairy tale romance that has turned to broken shambles. It shows the tenacity of one can be enough to pull the relationship back together again. "Ready" gives Kelly freedom to let his voice soar like a hurricane, unleashed from its shelved bottle. A simple little rocker has the footprints of classic Foriegner smudged all over it. "Give Me A Sign" is all AOR with a laid-back feel and sleepy verses. This is just cover for the jaunty high voltage chorus with its belted vocals, squeaking brass and smashing vocal harmonies. Very reminiscent of their first few albums from the 70s. "I'll Be Home Tonight" shows love across the distance, and the anticipation of the loving reception that follows separation. A barest shadow of doubt crosses the song, but should be all right by reunion's time. A midtempo ballad that drifts through the verses and perks up in the chorus.

Needing a killer app for the album, "Too Late" steps up to the occasion and becomes the rocker that has the prominence to match the excellence of the feature ballad. A deliciously infectious piano melody rocks into the soul. Killer melodies and equally impacting chorus turns to classic gold on every trip back through the motions. Hansen's vocals are just awesome, channelling enough Gramm-ish charm to feel right at home and revealing enough of himself to twist the nuances to hard rock perfection. An upbeat rocker in the same spirit as "Cold As Ice" and "Head Games".

"Lonely" has these lovely keys and purring synth that give it a different flavor straight off. The chorus comes spilling out like forgotten tucked away pages of a personal diary. It is that element of personal revelation and realization that makes it utterly human and fuzzy guitars help shade it in modern colors. "As Long As I Live" has lovely verses but the chorus sputters out. The verses are romantically persistent and soft like the fading sounds from a sweet dream. "Angel Tonight" is another upbeat rocker that plays for keeps, sleek and slick all around. Electric guitar from Mick sizzles in the background and Hansen helps drive the enthusiastic chorus home. It explodes as dynamite, a quick guitar solo puts the electric bite into effect.

"Fool For You Anyway" resurrects a song from their debut and splashes it with an upfront brass section and that little twist offered by Hansen. Amy Winehouse producer Mark Ronson heads up the helm here for his one off appearance. He sounds great here, and the midtempo smooth rock trip back to the mid 70s brings the album full circle by mixing past material and present lineup.

As a Wal-Mart special edition, the disc also comes with a DVD that has more to do with the meeting that landed the band their Wally World deal, and a Greatest Hits cd that is all original material (unlike the last Wal-Mart exclusive Journey disc), but remastered. The bass is pumped up and the hiss removed, giving the songs a different sound. Ever so slight, but still noticeable, especially if you have heard the originals a million times over.
It's a shame that only ten tracks were used (they could have doubled that easily) and the majority of the material pulled from the 70s and the rock coin side of things, showing that they weren't just a ballad band (as they have unfairly been penned in the past). Their 1977 debut and "4" were properly remastered for DVD-Audio versions in full fledged (and brilliantly crystal 5.1) and its a shame these were not included on the DVD.

"Can't Slow Down" is a surprisingly good disc (and even better as an overall package) and one that is completely and essentially Foreigner, through and through. They are a band content with being who they are, and not one to start chasing new trends. The songs are strong, the vibe exciting, and the entire setup is quite refreshing.

Written by Alanna
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
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Alanna: 7.5/10

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Tommy

Rating: 8/10
A really strong comeback album, when Kelly Hansen proclaimed that he wanted to bend his vo... · Read more ·

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