OK, I was a bit nervous about Bill's new CD. I made the mistake of reading the various reviews out there before playing this for myself (some were published well before the CD even released.. a huge 'red flag' for me in terms of believability).
Admittedly, I've been a fan of Bill's music since his days with the Sons Of Champlin. But, in recent years I've admittedly found his contributions to Chicago lack the life of his earlier solo and Sons material, and at times I've joined the crowd who grew tired of Bill's soulful 'oversinging' (his perfomance of "After The Love Is Gone" on the Chicago / Earth Wind & Fire live DVD virtually proves my point).
Anyway, I've read reviews where this was considered to be his best album ever.. simply because it is new material from Bill. Bad, naughty reviewer! He had new material on Chicago - XXX, some good ("Better") and some dreadful ("Why Can't We".. a trainwreck of a Chicago song if I ever heard one). So simply saying new material from Bill doesn't sell me on the record and gives me the 'heeby-jeebies'.
I've also read some iffy reviews of this comparing it a retread of his solo works of the 1990's, particularly "Through It All". (Umm.. I don't hear this comparison at all, except that it's Bill.)
I am happy to report that "No Place Left To Fall" stands on its own as a more than worthy album and very much restores my love for Bill's music.
Rather than discuss the individual songs, let's look at the overall CD:
The production is top-notch and doesn't have that over-compressed 'loud' sound so many new CDs have. This thing sounds GOOD! The songs are well-written and the musicianship is darn impressive. But, the winning shot with this record is that it feels 'natural'.
Bill's vocals are smooth and soulful, and dare I say sincere. The harmonies on this CD are amazing, and it perfectly displays Bill's talent for vocal arrangements. Add to this the fact that Bill didn't go out of his way to be funky just for the sake of being funky. Some of the music is basic pop music, but we're not talking Britney Spears-esque cookie cutter pop. It's more like pop music with an edge. It has none of the blandness of his work with Chicago, and it doesn't sound much like his solo projects of the 1990's.
This is fresh, vibrant, and yes.. EXCELLENT new music. Call it funky pop, bluesy soul, or just Bill Champlin. Nobody else can do this like Bill does on "No Place To Fall".
Oh.. I should mention that this comes with a bonus DVD which is mostly documentary footage with some excellent live material added in. Most of Bill's fans wanted this as soon as it came out and bought the Japanese import. Sadly the Japanese issue comes with a Region 2 DVD, meaning it won't play on most American DVD players which are Region 1.
I am now importing the European issue which comes with an all-region DVD, meaning it can be played on most DVD players anywhere in the world. If you want to know more how to get this, feel free to contact me.
And no.. It's not out in the USA except as an (UGH) digital download.
Anyway, if you like Bill's music, get this CD!
If you're nonchalant about his music, you might actually like this.
If you don't like his music, you might still not enjoy this. But, if any one thing he's done could draw you in, it is this CD.
