Music review: Bryan Adams – 鈥橲hine a Light鈥�
For his 14th studio album, Bryan Adams stays true to the uncomplicated messages that have served the Canadian rocker so well over his fruitful career.
Adams shines in the spotlight as he offers up 12 inspired tracks containing catchy guitar riffs and singalong choruses that would feel right at home on the singer-songwriter鈥檚 classic albums 鈥淩eckless鈥� and 鈥淐uts Like a Knife.鈥�
The title track was co-written with Ed Sheeran and dishes out plenty of infectious rock rhythms with an inspiring message about realizing your dreams without ever forgetting your roots.
Much like earlier hits 鈥淗eaven,鈥� 鈥淚t鈥檚 Only Love鈥� and 鈥�(Everything I Do) I Do It for You,鈥� romance is in the air once again as Jennifer Lopez joins Adams on 鈥淭hat鈥檚 How Strong Our Love Is.鈥� It鈥檚 an electric pairing as Lopez and Adams sing about a love that can withstand trouble, strife and distance.
鈥淧art Friday Night, Part Sunday Morning鈥� possesses a slight hint of rockabilly and reminds me of 鈥淵ou Belong to Me,鈥� the opening track from his 2015 album 鈥淕et Up.鈥�
鈥淒riving Under the Influence of Love鈥� carries the familiar spark first heard on prior hits 鈥淪ummer of 鈥�69鈥� and 鈥淩un to You鈥� as the 59-year-old Adams declares to his new found attraction, 鈥淚 had me a good long look and I like everything I see.鈥�
鈥淎ll or Nothing鈥� is vintage Adams with booming chorus and fiery guitar chords that blend to make a perfect stadium anthem about taking your shot without hesitation or doubt as Adams sings, 鈥淲orld is turning and there鈥檚 no rehearsal.鈥�
Other highlights include the passionate rocker 鈥淭he Last Night on Earth鈥� and melodic ballad 鈥淒on鈥檛 Look Back.鈥�
The set closes with Adams delivering his version of a traditional Irish folk song. Previously recorded by the likes of Thin Lizzy and Metallica, Adams uses acoustic guitars, harmonica and raspy vocals to give 鈥淲hiskey in the Jar鈥� a stripped-down vulnerability to the tale of love and misfortune.
Adams may have traded in his jeans and white T-shirt for a more adult-appropriate look, but he can still deliver the musical goods with a youthful vibrancy that proves he鈥檚 showing no signs of slowing down or changing his tune.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.