Music review: Huey Lewis and the News – 鈥榃eather鈥�
During my college days, my cassette of 鈥溍灞苯剽�� by Huey Lewis and the News would receive regular playing time on my daily commute from home to campus.
The band鈥檚 third release from 1983 featured infectious hits like 鈥淭he Heart of Rock & Roll,鈥� 鈥淗eart and Soul,鈥� 鈥淚 Want a New Drug鈥� and 鈥淚f This Is It.鈥� As a result of the success of the album and MTV videos, the San Francisco-based band became a household name.
Three years later, Huey Lewis and the News would release 鈥淔ore!鈥� with signature tracks 鈥淪tuck with You,鈥� 鈥淒oing It All for My Baby鈥� and 鈥淗ip to Be Square,鈥� sealing the band鈥檚 鈥�80s icon status.
鈥淲eather鈥� is the band鈥檚 first album of new material since 2001鈥檚 鈥淧lan B.鈥� Containing only seven tracks clocking in at just over 26 minutes, 鈥淲eather鈥� proves to be a nostalgic trip that is as short as it is sweet.
Lewis, who was diagnosed with an inner-ear disorder that causes hearing loss, sounds as strong as ever on likable numbers that effortlessly blend pop, soul and R&B.
鈥淟ife is short/Let鈥檚 take advantage of every opportunity,鈥� sings Lewis on the opener 鈥淲hile We鈥檙e Young,鈥� reminding fans (and himself) that the music just might be coming to a close because of his deteriorating hearing condition.
Lewis is at his best on the toe-tapping 鈥淗er Love Is Killin鈥� Me.鈥� Traces of 1982鈥檚 鈥淲orkin for a Livin'鈥� can be heard on this mid-tempo number about a romantic relationship that鈥檚 hard to maintain as the 69-year-old Lewis declares, 鈥淎nd I ain鈥檛 but half the man I used to be/Her love is killing me.鈥�
A Motown vibe is demonstrated on 鈥淚 Am There for You.鈥� Lewis delivers a real charmer about always being there through the good times and the bad.
Fueled by a smooth bass groove and rousing horns, 鈥淩emind Me Why I Love You Again鈥� will certainly fill the dance floor, while 鈥淧retty Girls Everywhere鈥� is flat-out fun to sing along to.
鈥淥ne of the Boys鈥� ends the set with a country flavoring that finds Lewis reminiscing about the early days of his career. He closes on a positive note about his future when he proclaims, 鈥淭hough I ain鈥檛 getting any younger, I鈥檓 a long way from done.鈥�
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.