Post Tagged with: "When Good Bands Do Bad Things"

Chicago, "Another Rainy Day in New York City" from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Another Rainy Day in New York City” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Robert Lamm’s cinematic “Another Rainy Day in New York City” is ruined by Peter Cetera’s worst Chicago vocal performance to date.

Chicago, "You Are On My Mind" from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “You Are On My Mind” from Chicago X (1976): Saturdays in the Park

Why did someone, or some group of ones, allow Chicago to release a song with James Pankow on lead vocals?

Yes, "Holy Lamb" from Big Generator (1987): YESterdays

Yes, “Holy Lamb” from Big Generator (1987): YESterdays

Perhaps with different sonic sensibilities, Yes’ “Holy Lamb (Song for Harmonic Convergence)” could have been great.

Chicago, "Bethlehem" from 'What's It Gonna Be, Santa?' (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Bethlehem” from ‘What’s It Gonna Be, Santa?’ (2003): Saturdays in the Park

Bill Champlin is said to have always pushed new music on the band. This is once case where Chicago should said no.

Vinyl

Sia – Everyday Is Christmas (2017)

In its best moments, ‘Everyday Is Christmas’ challenges the notion of what a holiday album should be. Sia just needed more of them.

Yes, "Almost Like Love" from Big Generator (1987) YESterdays

Yes, “Almost Like Love” from Big Generator (1987) YESterdays

When you add together all the disparate parts of “Almost Like Love,” you almost get a good Yes song … but not quite.

Chicago, "Till We Meet Again" from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Till We Meet Again” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago’s “Till We Meet Again” is barely over two minutes long, and kindly labeled “filler.” Well-arranged filler, but filler nevertheless.

Beck - Colors (2017)

Beck – Colors (2017)

In typical fashion, the follow up to 2014’s somber ‘Morning Phase’ is perhaps Beck’s most upbeat and funky album to date.

Chicago, "Anyway You Want" from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago, “Anyway You Want” from Chicago VIII (1975): Saturdays in the Park

Chicago’s “Anyway You Want” sounds like Peter Cetera dashed it off in five minutes. And this is the lead-off song for ‘Chicago VIII’?

Chicago, "Woman Don't Want to Love Me" from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays In The Park

Chicago, “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” from Chicago VII (1974): Saturdays In The Park

The fact that “Woman Don’t Want to Love Me” is a lesser song on ‘Chicago VII’ is a testament to how strong the rest of the album really is.