Westcoast heaven
Hans Jörg Zimmer | 02/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you're looking for westcoast heaven,this is a good place.Recorded in 1982,this album is the 2nd and last of this great band with 2 guitarists,2 keyboarders and 2 lead singers.The music varies from good rockin tunes like Believe Me Tonight to the most exquisite ballads you'll ever hear,like Someone To Blame It On.The production is fantastic,Jeffrey Baxter has worked with people like The Doobie Brothers and it shows...there's also a connection for Steely Dan aficionados here as Becker/Fagen composed one of the Songs from the debut album Sneaker from 1981,Don't Let Me In.So if superb musicianship and perfect songwriting is what you're after,get
this album-it's worth every penny-the cd even has 4 bonus tracks!"
Sneaker Makes Better than Good Again.
Reviews No More | 06/10/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you have read my review of the first Sneaker album, then you will know that I heartily endorse this sophomore product as much as that one. Unlike the debut however, this one is more jazzy, yet there is some experimentation in sound as well.
"Before You" actually flirts with a country pop sound that boasts a slide steel guitar solo, and the song has a sweet, hazey summer feel to it. It feels like a fireplace in winter, and just fits the summer when played in July, and "Pour it Out" is a Beach Boys meets high tech keyboards instrumental with astoundingly cool success.
Outside of that, tracks like "Quit Crying," "Voices," the poised and lazy raggae shuffle of "Where You Gonna Run," and "Did You Order One" show the band in a very tight jazz/pop fusion cohesion that pays more heed to their Steely Dan influences than the debut album. The vocals are delightfully layered and arranged, the instrumentation glossed over, tight, and pleasing on all levels.
Two standout tracks are the ballads "Never Get Over You" and "Someone to Blame it On," which often tear me apart for personal reasons. All 4 bonus tracks are worth hearing, especially the dreamy "I Can't Imagine" which sounds very much like a Toto song. Again, Jeffrey Baxter has produced a great album buy one of the best and most underrated bands I've ever heard. I know the imports cost a lot, but they are so worth it if you like slick jazz/pop recordings by bands with good writers and addictive harmonies. Having been into the band for 25 years, I would never have been able to say no. When you've put out two great albums in your career before disappearing and deservedly have a small but appreciative fan base, what more do you need?"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1