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Rating: Released in 1990, this "End of the Century" is the eleventh album by the Illinois quintet, initially dedicated to AOR with strong progressive hues, with a penchant for musicals and concept albums mid-career, and then ultimately settling into an elegant AOR, occasionally remarkable but generally far from essential. This might even be their best work career-wise. No, I'm exaggerating... but it definitely is from a sound perspective: it sounds amazing!
There is a new face in the lineup: one of the founding fathers, guitarist, singer, and composer Tommy Shaw, has packed his bags, and in his place, a much more energetic and straightforward musician, less cloying and predictable, named Glenn Burtnik was recruited. It’s he who wakes the group up, quite dazed after the absurd theatrical tour and the quarrels following the previous work "Kilroy Was Here," a very difficult plasticy mass to swallow. Glen plays and sings directly, without the slightest affectation or rhetoric, with a sharp and very un-Styx-like voice, and his contributions to the album are crucial in bringing fresh air and healthy dryness to the music. Of the four pieces he composed and sang, the initial "Love Is The Ritual," a syncopated hard rock with sung-out choruses, stands out, followed by the hypnotic disco rock song that titles the album, and the acoustic and intimate "All In A Day's Work."
Less effective, however, is the final contribution "World Tonite." The keyboardist and singer Dennis De Young, invigorated by the new competition, goes the extra mile in "Show Me The Way" to be the patriotic and God-fearing American, to the point where the song ends up being the soundtrack to a Gulf War propaganda short film. Great stuff, but still... in the United States, it's very famous, pompous, and obtuse as it is. Once past this hurdle, the rest of Dennis's romantic contributions range from the excellent ballad "Love At First Sight," a peak of the album and among the best in the AOR genre, sung superbly, to the honest other ballad "Carrie Ann," to the counterproductive final homage to his own city "Back To Chicago," a Queen-like mess where emphasis dominates and there’s no stinting on brass sections. There is also the third composer and lead guitarist in action, the almost albino blonde James Young, who puts his two cents on a cover "Not Dead Yet" and then writes along with De Young and performs the rocking "Homewrecker." In the rhythm section, the Panozzo twins evolve once more together for the last time, shortly thereafter both facing major health issues.
The album, as mentioned before, benefits from a powerful and sonorous production, kudos to Dennis De Young and the sound engineer who assisted him. Not everything shines, in fact, a couple of episodes are almost annoying, but the best work by Burtnik and De Young is worth getting to know.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Love Is the Ritual (03:49)
Written by Glen Burtnik, Plinky
Lead Vocals by Glen Burtnik
Little Sister
She got a lot of time she got a lot of money
Don't you know that aint enough
pretty thing
all dressed up for the main attraction
like a baby doll looking for love
And she doesn't need a reason
She just hears a calling to the wild
(Chorus)God gave man the breath of life
to grow up strong to take a wife
to change the world and love is the ritual
you learn to walk & Talk & laugh & cry
work your fingers to the bone till the day you die
and above it all love is the ritual
Little man
beating his chest and flexing his muscles
gun for hire he shoots for a star
like a handsome prince
wallking down the street in his shining armor
Romeo in search of his heart
There's a method to this madness
and a message calling to the wild
(2nd Chorus)God gave man the breath of live
to grow up strong to take a wife
to change the world and love is the Ritual
You learn to walk & talk & laugh & cry
(He) gave you heart and soul till the day you die
and above it all love is the ritual
Come on dance little sister little sister wants to dance
all night looking for a true romance
when in a black leather jacket walks little brother
to rock her world to be her lover
so signal all the children
send a message calling to the wild
copyright 1990 War Bride/hampstead Heath/produced by Dennis Deyoung
02 Show Me the Way (04:37)
Every night I say a prayer, in the hopes that theres a Heaven.
But every day Im more confused, as the saints turn in to sinners.
All the heros and legends I knew as a Child, have fallen to idols of clay.
And I feel this empty place inside, so afraid, that I've lost my faith.
Show me the way.
Show me the way.
Take me tonight, to the river and wash my illusions away.
Please show me the way.
As I slowly drift to sleep, for a moment, dreams are sacred.
Close my eyes, and know there's peace,
in a world so filled with hatred.
That I wake up each morning, and turn on the news, and find we've so far to go.
And I keep on hoping for a sign, so afraid, I just won't know.
Show me the way.
Show me the way.
Bring me tonight, to the mountain and take my confusion away.
And show me the way.
And if I see your light, should I believe?
Tell me, how will I know?
show me the way
show me the way
take me tonight to river and wash my illusions away
show me the way
show me the way
give me the strength and the courage to belive i will get there someday
and please show me the way
every night i say a prayer in hopes that theres a Heaven
03 Edge of the Century (04:21)
Living on the edge of the century
See the world in revolution
Spinning faster all the time
We're heading for the end of something
Just about to step across that line
Oh, can't you see?
We're staring in the face of reality
Oh, you and me
We're living on the edge of the century
Feel the way the earth is shaking
Hear the rumble miles away
Say goodby to Checkpoint Charlie
Walls are falling every day
Oh, can't you see?
Every step we take we're making history
Oh, you and me
We're living on the edge of the century
Can't turn off the information
Can't sit back in your easy chair
Can't ignore a generation
Better get ready cause we're almost there
We're moving at the speed of life
Into a brave new world where the strong will survive
The dawn's gonna break and I'll meet you
On the other side
Can't stand still while the earth is turning
Can't take cover til the coast is clear
Can't play guitar while Rome is burning
Look our now cause the future's here
And we're moving at the speed of life
Living on the edge
On the edge of the century
08 Carrie Ann (04:28)
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung
Time stands still, baby when I touch you
I can't believe the way I'm feelin'
Please don't speak, it's taken me all this time
To find the strength just to say
That I never knew what love was til I met you
Never thought that I could act this way
But I'm still afraid to show how much I need you
Tell me, what makes a man like me this way
Carrie Ann, don't ask me why
Baby I work so hard just to hide my emotions
Carrie Ann, words can't explain
The way that I feel in my heart
Lovers' hearts never quite beat in time
They never find that perfect rhythm
You know I let you down many times
But this I promise to you
That I'll never lead you through doors of deception
I won't bind you to a chain of lies
Though I know my love for you won't be perfection
What I give to you will last all time
Carrie Ann, don't ask me why
Baby I work so hard just to hide my emotions
Carrie Ann, my words can't explain
The way that I feel in my heart
Take a little time to realize
I'll love you faithfully
Just take a little time and you'll see
That baby it's me
Carrie Ann, don't ask me why
Baby I work so hard just to hide my emotions
Carrie Ann, my words can't explain
The way that I feel in my heart
10 Back to Chicago (04:18)
I was waiting all alone last night
When they cancelled all remaining flights
And I was suddenly aware, I was being so unfair
To turn and run from you again
So I called you on the telephone
And I said hey girl I'm coming home
Cause I know my words were cruel
And that I acted like a fool
But I'm gonna make it all up to you
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
Let's go walking by the beach tonight
And watch the sun come up on Lake Shore Drive
Then I'll take you in my arms
And I'll keep you from all harm
Cause I know everything is gonna be alright
And I don't care what people say
Cause I'm gonna love you night & day
Oh baby if you still want me
Still need me, all you gotta do is let me
Just walk right up to your door
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good this time
I'm makin' my way back to Chicago
I'm makin' my way come rain or shine
I'm gonna find true love waiting for me
I'm gonna make it all work out for good
Know it's understood
I'm coming home to stay this time
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