Search - Go West :: Futurenow

BUY IT! (and keep your expectations low)

Joher Coleman | Los Angeles | 08/01/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Dear Cox and Drummie,



Who do I blame for this album?



Surely, there were some unique challenges. And for those factors alone, we are all blessed to have a new Go West album. But these challenges seem to have cut into the new release we've waited 15 some years for. And here's what I see those challenges as being:



1) THE 15 YEARS ITSELF. After such a long time, it's hard to do anything that will meet cumulative expectation. But I get that and, hence, have given this three stars.



2) CONTRASTING MUSICAL TASTES. Cox says he and Drummie have differnet musical tastes. Is that why the CD never really gels? Are we listening to a compromise between both artists, rather than a balls-to-the-wall alliance with a singular, predetermined vision?



3) LACK OF HOOKS. Just because a song has a hook doesn't make it shallow, immature, or simplistic. (Unless, of course, it's a shallow, immature, simplistic song.) No, we're not hoping for 10 variations of the overly-bright "King of Wishful Thinking", just some groove. Or even the rich, melodic, dark stuff they can do so well.



4) THROWING THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER. It's a trap that most journeymen pop-stars fall into, particularly those who were born of the 80's. Because of the time, synthesizers and drum machines were often a part of a band's musical signature. It wasn't just about the melody of the song itself, it was about how the synth instrumentation added texture and dimension to it. So what do bands like Go West, Hall and Oates, and Kenny Loggins do for a contemporary album? They do what they think is organic and stripped down. They bring in more acoustic sounds, go with "simpler" production, and ditch unique synth sounds. The problem here is that these artists are masters at what do do with those sounds. With "FutureNow" (great name, by the way) clearly avoiding those, they've automatically eliminated one of their strongest tools. Instead, we have something that aspires to be rock-pop; edgier and more growl but because the songs themselves don't gel, the listening experience leaves us empty. (When does Futurenow 2 come out?!)



5) SELF-PRODUCED. This is a great way to save money and release an album for fans. But artists are rarely good producers of their own work. You see this time and time again. A vocalist will say "I'm producing this myself to express my total vision without interference." Turns out the interference was part of what was making their previous albums pop. Collaboration, although not always easy, has its benefits in the final analysis.



Am I disappointed? You bet. But not out of malice. Because of what we all know this duo is capable of. Am I sorry I bought the CD? ABSOLUTELY NOT. WE, AS CONSUMERS, HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT THESE AND OTHER TALENTED ARTISTS WHO ARE NOT GIVEN DUE AIRPLAY OR EXPOSURE BY A VERY CORPORATE MEDIA. AND I WILL BE ESPECIALLY HAPPY WITH MY PURCHASE IF THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY OTHER GO WEST CDs TO COME.



So, Cox and Drummie, I thank you for the warm up. Now get back to work! ;)



Peace,



- Joher Coleman

www.imdb.com/name/nm0403825/"

Great new material

T. Tring | Perth WA Australia | 12/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A fantastic album of new material. Peter Cox has a great voice and after seeing them live in Perth in May 08 I had to get this album. Two of the best songwriter partnership groups. I used to listen to their self titled album over and over in the eighties and Peter's vocals have only got better in time. Richard's input to the group makes these guys stand out with talent. Get it and you won't be disappointed but expect a good diversity in the songs. Go West is passionate about their material."

Showing a little age...

M. E. Brown | Terre Haute, Indiana USA | 12/14/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, let me say I love Go West. Peter Cox is my favorite male vocalist of all time. He and Richard Drummie are an excellent song-writing team. I was disappointed with this CD. The songs are good, but certaily not up to their usual standards. Peter sounds great on this CD, but the songwriting is weaker than previous endeavors. Not bad by any standard, but not like the "King of Wishful Thinking" days. The production is excellent, but the material is not memorable. I bought it because I am a fan. I would recommend this CD, but if you are new to Go West, or Peter's solo material, start with some earlier CD's."