MR. BIG — Lean Into It (review)

MR. BIG — Lean Into It album cover Album · 1991 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Stephen
What makes this record personally memorable to me is that this is the first rock tape I bought along with Scorpions' "Crazy World" back in 1992. I bought it solely because of the mega-hit "To Be With You" that had been heavily played on TV and radios. My first impression is that I'm quite shocked to listen to tracks like "Daddy Brother" or "Alive And Kickin'", that's very loud and noisy but there's something great about this album that makes me want to play that tape over and over again until it’s worn out. I was twelve back then, and here I am, playing this disc again 20 years later in my car this morning, and it's still as great as ever as it was in 1992.

"Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy" is an explosive opening with Paul Gilbert ripping his guitars with an electric drill, the technique he had started using back in his days with Racer X (which also later applied by Eddie VH in 'Poundcake'). "Alive And Kickin" has the punchy chorus and Eric Martin sounds awesome here, one of my fave singers with many capabilities. The commercial hard rock of "Green Tinted Sixties Mind" blasted with the quick-tap that young guitarists always want to learn to play. "Lucky This Time" is a blissful midtempo ballad, a great track on par with the other hits, "Just Take My Heart" and "To Be With You". Those last two are timeless classic, songs that I still like to strum with my acoustics in the living room.

The other tracks are also very strong, such as "Voodoo Kiss" with an infectious guitar licks and that 70s Aerosmith boogie; "My Kinda Woman", a song that Tesla should have recorded in 1987; the lazy bluesy "A Little Too Loose"; and the groovy "Road To Ruin". Perhaps only "Never Say Never" is the weakest but that track alone still good enough to compete with the other average band's strongest track.

Putting aside the priceless nostalgic value, "Lean Into It" is definitely have the power to stand the test of time and to claim the status of best album Mr.Big ever made. The virtuosity of each member is undefeatable, the songwriting aspect is top notch, every little thing about this album just can't go wrong. A true five stars!
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