This is perfectly acceptable, nicely delivered, completely undemanding.
In the '70s, a mate's grandmother once developed heart problems and went to see her Doctor. What did he prescribe? Absolutely no wrestling, no Jackie Pallo, Kendo Nagasaki and positively no Giant Haystacks, lest she become too tied up in the action and overstretch her valves.
Now she could just get Kevin Lee prescribed on the NHS... Given a best new artist accolade by this very magazine in 2007, this collection is just a little anodyne. It's well done, grown up, organic AOR of course, which is fine in itself, but it doesn't stir the blood. Songs like 'Tell Me Why' link into a Country feel early and Lee's gentle vocals don't add enough belief to the music, a rather special chorus almost making it worthwhile. He also has the same trouble with 'Can't Believe You're Gone', letting us know how serious he is but not capitalising on some proactive backing vocals, allowing the usual slow AOR to pass without much happening.
The results are much better when he realises he can play his guitar faster, louder, harder. That said a Chic riff is at the centre of aforementioned 'Can't Believe Your Gone' only to be replaced by a "d'oh" as Lee again allows talent to be replaced by torpor. 'Gold Digger' is the stuff we want, low-slung, bluesy, laidback but ready for a party and a rousing chorus, a softer rocker rather than harder AOR. Repeating the trick on the sparkling, infectious title track, he doesn't half let it go again to provide exactly what you'd expect.
This is perfectly acceptable, nicely delivered, completely undemanding. It makes no visit to your pleasure centre, but it can wear a snazzy cardigan.
Steve Swift