I just own the weirdest stuff.

Sigh. I bought the Eric Martin Band album, on record, when it was brand new in 1984ish. I went to a Mr. Big show specifically because a friend could get me backstage so I could meet Eric Martin (and he didn’t hang out after the show, but I did get Paul Taylor to play Beatles songs for me : ).) So is it any wonder that I own Eric Martin’s first solo album?

It’s not great. In fact, it’s not as good as The Eric Martin Band album, but it’s as good as anything Michael Bolton has done (I’ve got those too. My husband wants to exorcise my music collection.)

Call Of the Wild
Ok, let’s just remember that this was originally released in '85 so the heavy synthesizer isn’t out of place. It’s well written enough. Sounds a lot like Journey, in fact. (I wonder why, they shared management and players.) "Don’t blame me for leavin’ love behind / I do this for old times sake / Confession my obsession / I’m tryin’ to learn from my mistakes / Sometimes I’m never satisfied / Even when I got it good."

Pictures
I wonder. The liner notes say that one of the keyboardists on this tune was Paul Shaffer. Could it be? Who knows. Maxine Waters and Julia Waters sing back up. It’s a nice little rock/pop song suitable for not paying attention to. I expect to hear it in my grocery store any day now.

Secrets in the Dark
I’d really like to hear this as a ballad. It was obviously chosen for radio appeal, that translates to "will be playing in a grocery store near you."

Information
You know, having just spent quality time with my Steve Perry CDs I’m having flashbacks here. Eric and Steve sound nothing alike, but they could have been trading songs. "My heart is pumpin’ for information / Did you plan your moves on me? / Some where, some how, some time / You’re gonna realize just what // You mean to me." Yikes.

She's Out for Blood
This one is kind of weird for the album. It sounds more like Tears for Fears than Journey / Night Ranger. It’s doing that jangly, tinkly keyboard thing that was oh so popular. The lyrics are reasonably clever, that’s gotta count for something. "Caught me in the act, you’ve got me in a squeeze / Tripped me in the dark and I’m beggin’ on my knees / I’m cryin’ have mercy on me please."

Eyes of the World
This one credits Neal Schon as a writer so boy oh boy does it sound like him. If you’ve heard Neal’s solo stuff (I don’t have any! [anymore]) you know exactly what you’re looking at here. Jazzy guitar, heavy keyboard, energetic singing. At least Neal didn’t try to sing here. Boy, is that awful.

Can’t Hold On, Can’t Let Go
Yes, it was penned by Michael Bolton (it appears on Michael’s kinda scary hard rock album and I do have that one) and this version is as good or better than Michael’s. You have to make your own judgement from there. However, Eric has Waddy Watchel on guitar.

Finders, Keepers
This is the real gem of the album. It reminds me a lot of that "Oh Yea" song from Secret of My Success. It’s got a lot of soul and a lot of energy. It’s the kind of song you might picture a subdued James Brown doing. You know, with a trio of back up singers in long formal gowns behind him.

Lyin’ In a Bed Of Fire
This one was penned by Steve Van Zant. I’m not fond of it, but I’m not generally fond of his stuff. It’s a rock song, pure and simple.

Just One Night
Finally the ballad! Also co-written by Neal Schon, but it doesn’t have that big, obvious, Schon hand print on it. It’s a nice gentle little song that wanted to be a power ballad, but apparently Jonathan Cain didn’t mess with the arrangement and Eric sings it a little too smoothly.

Why was Michael Bolton rich, famous, and sued and Eric Martin not? Beats the heck out of me. All the elements are there (except the sueing. Eric, to my knowledge, has never stolen a song.) The big management company, the willingness to sing anything put in front of him, the cute face. Dear lord, they even have the same cheekbones. Maybe Eric isn’t magnetic enough. I don’t know. If you like Michael Bolton, you’ll like Eric Martin. And you can rest assured that he isn’t ripping off soul singers for hits.

PS – read the liner notes. The special thanks are hysterical. Especially to Stacy … and Debbie.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Reading or Studying