Mr. Big
Next Time Around - Best Of Mr. Big

THE REVIEW

"It's the story of my life. As soon as I discover I like something... they stop making it." (Daniele Luttazzi)

I completely agree with this phrase when it comes to the music I like.

After falling madly in love with Nirvana in 1996 and Soundgarden in 1997 (I was in the "Seattle Sound" period), enjoying Guns N Roses from the "Interview with the Vampire" soundtrack (a year after their official breakup), the style fusions of Jane's Addiction and Rage Against in 2001 (my rebellious/goofball phase), I realized I was always too late. Where does this grave fault of mine come from?

And who remembers those candies called "PEZ" that you would place in those improbable "candy dispensers" and then shoot directly into your mouth?? well.. even those aren't made anymore. I managed to taste them once.

Anyway, this review isn't about candies or Condensed Milk (another tasty treat from my childhood), but rather the Reunion of MR. BIG, aimed at celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their first formation.

Exactly.. it was 1989, the Berlin Wall had just fallen and, while I was taking my first steps and learning to speak, the 4 musicians recorded an album (self-titled) not to be underestimated.
But true glory and commercial success came 2 years later with "Lean Into It", and somehow, my mom bought the record, and it ended up in our home cabinet collecting dust.
In 2005, the revelation: with the deftness of an archaeologist moving through his home attic, I discovered a new CD with a gaudy cover... I put it in the stereo... and it was love at first listen!!!
Too bad that (I would find out later) the band broke up in 2002, and the chance to attend one of their concerts seemed, once again, to have vanished forever.

It's 2009, and I discover that Mr. Big reunites... and... joy and celebration... they also have a new single!!
The song is called "Next Time Around" and it's a nice mid-tempo, in pure Mr. Big style: opening with a guitar-bass riff in unison, a verse with a nice groove, and a catchy chorus meant to be sung in unison with the four lads.
Of course, to some, it might smell like a commercial move, (indeed it will be precisely to promote yet another "Best Of" of the group) but trust me when I say that this is the best single to come out after a reunion... and sorry if that's not saying much!

Currently, there's only a tour scheduled in Japan, but with fingers crossed, maybe this winter they'll pop by old Europe.

This time, I won't let them slip by.