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Rating: For those who love roots-rock and more generally the American singer-songwriter trend, the absence of debaserian reviews on one of the greatest rockers of all time, namely Bob Seger, is striking. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Seger debuted in the latter half of the sixties attracted by a love for Motown soul and was part of several garage bands, garnering attention from more famous Detroit-area groups, including the legendary MC5, with songs like "Rumblin' Gamblin' Man," "Heavy Music," and the anti-militarist "2+2=?". However, the creative pinnacle of the artist is undoubtedly marked by the birth, genesis, and decline of the Silver Bullet Band, one of the greatest and most authentic rock machines, composed of Drew Abbott (guitar), Chris Campbell (bass), Rick Manasa (keyboards), and Charlie Allen Martin (drums).
The album in question is, in my opinion, his best studio result, where Bob manages to produce timeless songs by joining the now loyal band with the "Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section," which supports his mastery in skillfully combining repeated listens of various genres in an effective and essential style, as well as the experience amassed over a decade during which he traversed the most diverse currents. It is therefore not surprising to find a mix of reminiscences linked to Chuck Berry ("Rock And Roll Never Forgets"), a voice borrowed from Van Morrison (title track), a song that seems to be the transposition of Jackson Browne's voice ("Mainstreet"), old-style pieces that captivate from the first listen (the magnificent and powerful "The Fire Down Below", the ascending climax of "Sunburst", and the rhythmic perfection of "Sunspot Baby"), another broad ballad like "Ship Of Fools", and the thundering final energy of "Mary Lou". The only track I consider below average is "Come To Poppa", a somewhat strained hard-rock not in line with the other splendid compositions dominated by the faithful interpretation of the most straightforward blue-collar rock.
Magnificent ballads and irresistible blue-collar rock 'n' roll therefore dominate this important document of the American musical, cultural, and social reality of the deepest seventies. Enjoy listening.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Sunburst (05:13)
The crowd without a face
Begins to fill the space
In the arena
Flashlights at his feet
The lion from the street
Awaits the Christians
A single strobe ignites the night
The smoke begins to rise
A sea of staring eyes
Gaze on the sunburst
His weapon at his side
He flashes it with pride
Before his legions
Fires begin to rage
And they engulf the stage
All right
Bring on the night
He's in complete control
He's stepping proud and bold
And everything he touches
Turns to gold
He's got girls by the score
He's got 'em screaming for more
But when they get too close
He bars the door
He makes his great escape
Leaves them in his wake
Without a warning
The ritual is done
A night no longer young
Fades into morning
The sun begins to rise
As he begins to close his eyes
06 Mainstreet (03:42)
I remember standing on the corner at midnight
Trying to get my courage up
There was this long lovely dancer in a little club downtown
I loved to watch her do her stuff
Through the long lonely nights she filled my sleep
Her body softly swaying to that smoky beat
Down on Mainstreet
In the pool halls, the hustlers and the losers
I used to watch 'em through the glass
Well I'd stand outside at closing time
Just to watch her walk on past
Unlike all the other ladies, she looked so young and sweet
As she made her way alone down that empty street
Down on Mainstreet
And sometimes even now, when I'm feeling lonely and beat
I drift back in time and I find my feet
Down on Mainstreet
Down on Mainstreet
07 Come to Poppa (03:11)
If the sun
Ain't shinin bright
And the moon the moon
Won't shine for you tonight
If thr stars in the sky gone away
And you feel
Feelin real slow down today
If life gets hard to understand
And the whole thing is getting out of hand
Come to Poppa
Come see your poppa
If you need a pacifier
Call me anytime
I'll try to be your satisfier
If you feel
Like a horse
Blazin' at the bit
Call my number
Anytime night or day
I'll get ya fixed
If life gets hard to understand
And your whole life is way out ofhand
Come to Poppa
Come see your poppa
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