Search - Chicago :: Chicago 16

Bad Rework

P. Malabad | Harrisonburg, VA | 06/11/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Got this to replace the album I had. They editted the first song so they could fit the bonus song on, which is not even close to "Chicago" quality song. Perhaps the boys had a reason for not including it the first time."

"Chicago 16" Not Bad At All

Alan Caylow | USA | 09/13/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I came into "Chicago 16" expecting to hate this album. After all, this is the album where the band started to pour on the pop and step away from their older, punchier jazz-rock sound of the past. It turns out that "Chicago 16" isn't bad. Not brilliant, but not bad. Besides, I like pop music too! I guess I can forgive Peter Cetera & company for wanting to make a slicker, more radio-friendly album at this point in the band's career, as their previous couple of albums hadn't sold well (to say the least). For better or worse, Chicago *needed* a hit album desperately in 1982. The band was either going to sink or swim with this one. Enter producer David Foster and new bandmember Bill Champlin to help out, and Chicago got their hit album that saved them. "Chicago 16" is slick, smoother, lighter pop fare for the group, but overall, the songs are quite catchy, and the production is handsomely polished. Songs like "What You're Missing," "Waiting For You To Decide," "Bad Advice," "Follow Me," "Sonny Think Twice," "What Can I Say," are all excellent pop. The smash hit ballad, "Hard To Say I'm Sorry," is actually a nice tune, even though my local radio stations drove me nuts by playing it non-stop all those years ago! Listening to the song now....it's very nice. Great finale too with the short-but-tough jazz-pop blast of "Get Away" that immediately follows it. And the other hit song, "Love Me Tomorrow," is quite strong, especially it's firm, driving chorus. I also like Champlin's soulful, somewhat-risque "Daddy's Favorite Fool," included here as a CD bonus track. Too bad it wasn't on the original release!



On the downside, a couple of songs drag the album down somewhat: "Chains" and "Rescue You," both run-of-the-mill synth-poppers, do nothing for me. Also, ace drummer Danny Seraphine is forced to play a tinny-sounding synth drumkit on this record, which is unfortunate. And Robert Lamm is unfairly dwarfed on the keyboards by various session players, including producer Foster himself. But I'm gonna give "Chicago 16" a passing grade of 3 stars because it's still a very good album. Plus, I'm happy that "Chicago 16" brought Chicago back from the brink. This isn't their best album by a longshot, but it's still quite enjoyable."

Their Best Album of the 80's

Rocky G | canada | 04/21/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Chicago 17 seems to get way too much credit when in reality Chicago 16 is a way better album. There is no doubt that Chicago was at their best in the 1970's but if someone wanted to buy one Chicago album from the 1980's this would be the one to get. First and foremost the is the first Chicago album to feature new member ex Sons Of Champlin vocalist/keyboardist Mr. Bill Champlin. Bill has an excellent voice and was brought in i believe to fill Terry Kath's spot on vocals and he does a great job while Terry's voice was deeper Bill has more range anyway Peter Cetera and Bill Champlin do a great job of blending their voices together and you can hear them sing together on half the songs on the album. There are only 3 songs on here i dont care for Rescue You, Love Me Tomorrow and Hard To Say Im Sorry the latter song being the best of the three but the radio has overplayed it. This album was recorded and released in 1982 and it does have that 80's sound but it still packs a punch on most of the songs unlike Chicago 17. It is really hard to pick a favorite song on the album if i had to Follow Me would be my choice. Bill Champlin is a great addition to the band and for anyone who likes his style should also check out his solo albums he has seven of them. David Foster produced and co wrote some songs here you can definitely hear his influence on the songs my only complaint would be the sound of Danny Serephine's drums im sure they forced him to use some kind of drum kit also like someone else mentioned Robert Lamm is nowhere to found on this album he doesent do vocals on one song. Anyway other than the three sappy bunk Peter Cetera songs this is a great album i give this album an 8/11 that means 8 good songs and 3 weak ones."