Tuesday, March 22, 2022

The 1981 Listening Post - Bob Welch - Bob Welch

 Bob Welch - Bob Welch


#523

October 1981

Bob Welch

Bob Welch

Genre: Rock

2.75 out of 5




What’s wrong with this?:


“All songs written by Bob Welch except where noted.

  1. "Two to Do" (Michael Clark) – 3:33
  2. "Remember" (Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance) – 3:53
  3. "Bend Me, Shape Me" (Larry Weiss, Scott English) – 3:01
  4. "That's What We Said" – 3:07
  5. "If You Think You Know How to Love Me" (Mike Chapman, Nicky Chinn) – 3:55
  6. "It's What Ya Don't Say" (Steve Diamond) – 2:45
  7. "You Can't Do That" – 2:36
  8. "Secrets" – 3:09
  9. "Imaginary Fool" – 3:22
  10. "To My Heart Again" (Tom Snow) – 3:04
  11. "Drive" – 0:49


Um….Wikipedia…maybe Bob doesn’t need that first line. If you’ve written <45% of your record you don’t deserve that disclaimer. (Claimer?)

I can’t make a “requisite cover” list because a lot of this record is either a cover or written by someone else. 

The first two tracks actually pop even though they go nowhere and then they fade out. Now, here’s the thing about the “fade out”: It’s not used anymore but the purpose was for the song to linger as the next one ramped up. You SHOULD still be tapping your foot as the faded song disappears. But no one does it anymore. However, these songs fade out and don’t feel complete. Like they just have nowhere else to go. 

That’s just the first two. After that the album sort of gets its footing with that Outsiders cover and then we finally hear Bob’s own track and it’s probably the best of side one and yet there’s no way it’s a single. Instead if comes across as a hackneyed Jan and Dean tune.
Then we get to the Smokie song, “If You Think You Know How to Love Me”. Everyone knows that I’m a huge ChinniChap fan. But this is just ChinniChap-by-the-numbers. 

Side Two is where the Welch songs live and that should tell us everything we need to know about this record.

Welch isn’t a strong writer, nor is he much of an engaging player or singer. 

So, this whole album is one big meh. 


https://music.apple.com/us/album/bob-welch/838786260

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