REO Speedwagon released their last studio album back in 1996, the good in parts 'Building the Bridge', although they are no strangers to the road having toured relentlessly in the US each year.

This new album is very strong selection of songs and sees the band harking back at times to their late 70's/early 80's albums. The production is also first rate with Joe Vannelli helping Kevin Cronin. Vanelli also handles all the keyboard parts bar the one track Neal Doughty plays on, which doesn't hopefully signal the end of Doughty's involvement with the band!

'Smilin' In The End' and the title track are classic uptempo REO tunes, with a neat line in harmonies and some nice guitar work from Dave Amato.

'Dangerous Combination' ventures into pop rock and the band wheel out the ballads, with 'Another Lifetime' the pick of the bunch.

Bassist Bruce Hall takes the lead vocal on 'Born To Love You', with his dad, who has now sadly passed away, guesting on clarinet. It's not bad and reminded me a lot of Bob Seger, good, solid bar room rock.

There is a nice diversion into a bit of rock 'n' roll fun with 'Run Away Baby', which I would imagine would go down a storm live.

Great to see them back and with a very stirring album that whilst maybe not being the highly polished REO some would expect, it is nonetheless damn fine melodic rock/AOR.

****

Review by Jason Ritchie