The Toy Box: Bryan Adams

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Retro Spins: Bryan Adams - Into The Fire

It's odd how something can sell two million copies, and be called a failure, but such was the case with Bryan Adam's final entry in the decade, 1987's Into The Fire.

Upon its release, the album was already up against a wall. The expectation from his prior released, Reckless, set the bar so incredibly high that it was near impossible to achieve success. As such, when only two singles charted, Heat Of The Night, and Hearts On Fire, disappointment was in the air.

Critics were equally harsh, calling the lyrics substandard, the album dumbness density, and cliché. Retrospective reviews continue to be critical, calling it lifeless and dull. The worst part about it is that these reviews weren't wrong.

Playing through Into The Fire, I found myself bored, wondering where the hits were. Confused by what had happened with this album when his prior two were such powerhouses. To put it bluntly, it stunk.

The album was a terrible note to go out on (for the decade), and all the more worse considering that the success of his prior work led it to be a 3X platinum seller. I'd be so angry if it were 1987 and I waited three years to get this.

Fortunately, though down, Adams wasn't out. Far from it. He made a massive comeback in 1991 starting with the hit, (Everything I Do) I Do It for You, from Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, which was then also included on his massive album, Waking Up The Neighbours.

Since then, he's released albums through 2022's So Happy It Hurts, continuing, for the most part, to receive some form of sales certifications in the silver, gold or platinum.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 12, 1985

Retro Spins: Bryan Adams - Cuts Like A Knife

Cuts Like A Knife would be the point in history where I learned about the artist, Bryan Adams. If you would have asked me to tell you anything about him prior to 1983, I would have told you I didn't even know who you were talking about.

The album was a powerhouse release for Adams, and the breakthrough he'd been striving to achieve. It spawned multiple Billboard Hot 100 Hits, including, Straight From The Heart (peaked at number 10), Cuts Like A Knife (peaked at number 15), This Time (peaked at number 24). Additionally, Take Me Back, I'm Ready, and The Only One, peaked on the US Album Rock Charts, while also receiving frequent airplay.

Well, that sets the bar high, don't it?

Cuts Like A Knife definitely deserves the praise it receives. Unlike Adams prior work, this one delivers in a big way. It's got the hits spread out across the majority of it, and in general was a good listening session.

This is the Bryan Adams I remember from the 80's. The one that every time you turned on the radio, you were guaranteed to hear something from him within the period of time you were listening.

Then there was MTV, who also put his videos into steady rotation. This only served all the more to solidify his rock status.

From there, Adams released his even bigger album, 1984's Reckless. I noted from my original review that I wasn't so kind to it, which prompted me to listen to it again. I'm happy to say that I was wrong with my initial take.

With that out of the way, my next stop is his final album for the decade, 1987's Into The Fire. Will the level of success stay where's it at? Go higher? Or come crashing down? Let's find out together tomorrow.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 11, 1980

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 11, 1986

Retro Spins: Bryan Adams - You Want It You Got It

My start with Bryan Adams wasn't the spectacular catapult ride I was hoping to be on. In fact, it was pretty lackluster. Average, at best. I'm certainly hoping things fair better as I continue making my way through his studio releases, and I continue that trek with his 1981 sophomore released, You Want It You Got It.

The album was met with mild success, being more popular in Canada, where it went gold, then anywhere else. The singles, Lonely Nights, and Fits Ya Good, would both peak on the US Album Rock Charts, reaching three and fifteen (respectively). This would also open the doors for him in the US, where he embarked on tour with The Kinks and Foreigner.

You Want It You Got It is touted as the album that created Bryan Adams signature sound, which he's continued to maintain since. Because of his debut's lackluster impact, Adams actually wanted to name the album, Bryan Adams Hasn't Heard Of You Either. While that would have been hysterical, his sense of humor was lost on the record label, who vetoed his plan.

As I played through it, my opinion definitely swayed more negative than positive. Well, I suppose negative is a bit harsh of a word. I didn't mind the single, Lonely Nights, and ultimately felt that if I was coming away with one song that I was at least getting something. However, as a whole I felt the experience was pretty generic across the board.

Once again, I just didn't hear anything catchy, or hit worthy. Nothing that really left me saying, "I need to hear that again." I suppose the better word for it would be disappointed. I continue to be disappointed with Bryan Adams. I guess I just expected a lot more from an artist who pretty much comes up in every conversation about the icons of 80's music.

I hate to say it, but ultimately, I feel like Bryan Adams is generic rock and roll at best. I find his guitar riffs to be basic, and his lyrical writing to be poor. He doesn't sing about anything that really interests me. I feel like when it's all said and done, I'm going to walk away with the hits, maybe a handful of other tracks, but not necessarily a fan. I suppose I'll take what I can get, but did really want more. I wanted to be a Bryan Adams fan.

Despite my own opinions, You Want It You Got It was Adam's first gold certified record, and posed him for his upcoming breakthrough album, 1983's Cuts Like A Knife. From there, things would only get bigger and better for him as he continued through his decade's long career. We'll pick up there tomorrow.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 10, 1981

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 10, 1987

Retro Spins: Bryan Adams - Bryan Adams

Is it honestly an 80's party if Bryan Adams isn't invited to spin on the turntable? I, like many, took notice of him with his third album, Cuts Like A Knife (1983), and got all the more invested with 1984's Reckless, just to watch things fizzle out with his Robin Hood Prince Of Thieves song, and inevitable obscurity thereafter. Which, of course, is just my own perspective. Adams obviously went on to a storied career, which has lasted decades.

Based on the story, it appears true that the singer / guitarist bought his first six string from a five and dime at the age of ten, as his Summer Of '69 anthem professes. He then dropped out of high school at the age of sixteen to play in the group Shock. Shortly thereafter, he took over lead vocals for the band Sweeny Todd, recording with them their second, and final album, 1977's If Wishes Were Horses.

Adams would meet Jim Vallance through a mutual friend, and together, they would form a writing partnership that flourished throughout the 80's. He would also sign to A&M for the whopping rate of one dollar ultimately releasing his self titled debut in 1980.

The singles, Give Me Your Love, Remember, and Hidin' from Love, didn't fair too well, with only the latter becoming a top 100 in Canada. All and all, it was a pretty lackluster start. But, that's where we'll pause so that I can dive into it for myself.

Playing through it was kind of hit or miss. While I enjoyed Hidin' From Love, and Wait And See the most out of the nine tracks, overall, it was just lacking in polish and hits.

It wasn't a bad listening experience, but it also didn't really light a fire under me to say that he was anything special. Ultimately, what it left me feeling was disappointed. The hits from Adams are amazing, so it kind of stunk that the majority of his work is just average...at best.

I wasn't completely turned off on continuing my journey, but I definitely hoped that there was more on offer from him than what was here.

There's not much to really fill in, history wise, at this point, because Bryan released his follow-up album pretty much on the heels of his debut. So, much like him, I'll just jump right into it, and see you tomorrow for where that one lands.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
October 9, 1982

Retro Spins: Bryan Adams - Reckless

Looking at the cover for Bryan Adam's Reckless, I have to say he doesn't look at all like I thought I remembered him to look. Couldn't pick this guy out of a line-up if I had to. He kind of looks like Roger from American Dad.

Mr. Adams is another one of those artists I remember dominating the radio in the 80's, but yet I never really sought out any of his albums back in the day. In fact, I pretty much forgot about him until I was in a co-worker's car one day and she was playing the cassette, So Far So Good, his compilation album.

As I was building up my collection, I know I say that a lot, Bryan Adams was someone on my list from the very beginning. So much so that I actually picked up a greatest hits So Far So Good before getting any of his studio albums. Turned out this was a good buy because it also contained the exclusive track, Please Forgive Me. However, I eventually built up my collection of 80's studio albums, which brings me to today's album, if you haven't already guessed, Reckless.

Okay, let me first say I used to hate the song Run To You is. I'm not a fan of cheaters, so when you sing a song about running around on someone, that doesn't make you a decent person in my book. Fortunately, this is saved for my by the music video where Adams portrays his guitar as his object of desire.

All time favorite, hands down, is the Tina Turner duet, It's Only Love. Bryan Adams not only shows his strength as a writer, but also his ability to shred a guitar - Or should that credit go to Keith Scott? I don't know. Either way, the song rocks.

Overall, I don't foresee myself becoming a "big" fan of Bryan Adams. Reckless was okay, but the only tracks which really stood out for me was the hits; One Night Love Affair, Run To You, Heaven, It's Only Love and Summer Of '69. The rest of the songs are kind of forgettable. That kind of stunk, considering there were five more tracks on the album.

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