Music review: Rick Springfield – 鈥楻ocket Science鈥�
It doesn鈥檛 take a rocket scientist to figure out the secret to Rick Springfield鈥檚 musical success.
Blessed with a model鈥檚 good looks and a charm that is both sincere and natural, Springfield has thrilled fans for over 40 years with arrangements packed with infectious hooks, clever lyrics and meaty guitar riffs.
In 1981, 鈥淛essie鈥檚 Girl鈥� hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and launched the Aussie into music stardom.
Springfield鈥檚 latest release, the first since 2012鈥檚 鈥淪ongs for the End of the World,鈥� is a guitar-driven collection of observations about relationships, perseverance and living in the moment.
Songs like 鈥淭hat One,鈥� 鈥淧ay It Forward鈥� and 鈥淲e Connect鈥� serve as endearing examples of infectious power pop, complemented by Springfield鈥檚 poignant lyrics and charismatic vocals.
Springfield once again hooks up with longtime collaborator Matt Bissonette on the new material, while also enlisting the songwriting assistance of Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts on the catchy pop rock of 鈥淒own鈥� and Tad Kubler of the Hold Steady for the bluesy rock of 鈥淢iss Mayhem.鈥�
鈥淟ight This Party Up鈥� sets a celebratory tone right from the start. This rousing party anthem about redemption and letting go was written by Springfield while vacationing in Tahiti and will certainly bring audiences to their feet with fists raised high during his current tour.
鈥淟et Me In鈥� is a melodic ballad with slight hints of country flavor detailing the passionate plea for complete openness and continuous communication for a strong and lasting relationship. While recently in New York City, my wife and mother-in-law had the pleasure of seeing Springfield perform an acoustic version of this number during an appearance on 鈥淟ive with Kelly and Michael.鈥� Other highlights include the inspiring 鈥淎ll Hands on Deck鈥� and rousing 鈥淲e Connect.鈥�
The 66-year-old singer, actor and writer has stated 鈥淩ocket Science鈥� is the most positive album of his career. Needless to say, my wife and mother-in-law both heavily applaud Springfield鈥檚 18th studio release.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard .com.