Chicago, “Another Trippy Day” from ‘Chicago XXXVI: Now’ (2014): Saturdays in the Park
This is the final song from Chicago’s last non-holiday album. If they don’t release another one, it’s really not a bad way to go out.
This is the final song from Chicago’s last non-holiday album. If they don’t release another one, it’s really not a bad way to go out.
Robert Lamm’s “Naked In the Garden of Allah” helped balance this LP’s expected modern-era Chicago balladry with a return to more politicized songcraft.
When they decide to shed the decades-old false personality they sported for commercial reasons, Chicago can still make music that a listener can enjoy.
Chicago’s “Watching All the Colors” introduced fans to Lou Pardini, but in the end is just a pleasant little bon-bon, forgotten as soon as it’s over.
Robert Lamm’s “Something’s Coming, I Know” isn’t about taking risks. Instead, it settles for being this Chicago album’s most effortlessly joyous moment.
‘Now’ showed Chicago could produce a better album than they have in years when given complete artistic control. But they still had to include a ballad.
Once, the Robert Lamm-sung “Free at Last” might have had something to do with freedom’s fight, since he was the fierce political heart of Chicago. Not now.
“Crazy Happy” is not an avant-garde old-school Chicago piece, but it possesses just enough jazz elements to prove that Robert Lamm still has the goods.
My parents advised me growing up that if I can’t say something nice, I shouldn’t say anything at all.
Robert Lamm shows that he can still write and arrange great Chicago songs, but it’s a shame the production betrays him.