RICK SPRINGFIELD - ROCKET SCIENCE (2016 ALBUM REVIEW)

[RJhog (Admin)]

February 19 saw the release of the newest Rick Springfield album, Rocket Science.  This one was highly anticipated on my part, as I'm a big fan of Rick's music and I absolutely loved his previous studio offering (Songs For The End Of The World).  One repeating theme I've heard from folks that have listened to or reviewed the album is that Springfield made a country album.  Personally, I don't think that's exactly accurate.  What we have is a collection of thirteen songs that, for the most part, have at least some reflection of country elements and influence.  And for some, that's an immediate turn off.  But not for me.  

So, because I'm a fan of buying a physical product, I always like to start off with a little mention of the packaging. The disc comes in a regular jewel case, which is a plus unless it's broken.  Luckily for me, mine arrived all in one piece.  As far as the booklet, it's a bit different than usual.  Instead of song lyrics, you get song stories.  Springfield basically writes a short essay on each song and how or where or with whom it was written.  It's quite cool.  But, if you've ever heard Rick talk, you'll know he's a bit hyper.  And his writing reflects it.  It almost feels psychotic at times while reading it.  The booklet also contains credits, and though the font is small, I can actually read it with my reading glasses.  As far as the cover art goes, I'm neutral on it.  I neither like it nor dislike it.

Now, back to the album. As I previously mentioned, I don't consider this a country record. I prefer to bunch the tracks together in three groups.  The first group would be songs that sound like classic Rick Springfield power pop, aside from the fact that various instruments like a banjo, pedal steel, fiddle or mandolin make appearances.  The lead track, Light This Party Up, is one of those.  It kicks off with a straight up, cowbell driven, hard rockin' riff.  This is just a fun party song, and I really like it.  Other tracks that fit this bill would be Down, Miss Mayhem, Crowded Solitude, We Connect and (I Wish I Had A) Concrete Heart.  This group really drives the album.  They feature the typically awesome melodies that Springfield is known for, with Miss Mayhem and We Connect being two of his best songs from any era.  

Then next group of songs would be those that definitely sound country and, in my opinion, could easily be hits in the country music world.  I don't find these songs cheesy at all (even though I absolutely do not like bro country, a couple of these could be huge hits for the right artist).  You've got a song like That One.  What a masterpiece. Somebody should pick this up.  We've all been there before, "She's staring at him and barely looking at me".  She'll be running into the arms of "that one".  Rick Springfield is a very underrated pop lyricist.  The Best Damn Thing, another track that just grows and grows on you, and All Hands On Deck are straight up country songs.  One interesting note is the reworking of the track Let Me In.  This was included as a demo bonus track on the previous album, but it gets a country makeover here.  I would have never guessed he could turn this into a country song, but he certainly did.  By the way, I like both versions.  Oh, Earth To Angel would be in this group as well.

I like both of those groups, but the last group of tunes, not so much.  This group would be characterized as being somewhat cheesy attempts at writing a hit country song.  I just think he's trying a bit too hard for something that he doesn't need to do.  The other eleven tracks do not have this feel at all to me.  They feel natural, but Pay It Forward and Found just feel forced to me.  From the big sounding, gang vocals of the former to the Rascal Flats feel of the latter, these two songs just don't work for me.  The silver lining is that there are only two tracks that feel this way.

There you have it.  My honest opinion of the album.  I don't think it will win any folks over who don't already like Rick's music, but I'm also not sure whether or not it will alienate any current fans.  I'm not affected by the overall country feel of the album, but I know that many people will be.  If you are a power pop fan, I urge you to give this one a spin.  The melodies are infectious and the grooves are righteous.  And that's all I have to say about that.

Final Rating - 4 out of 5 (Country Flavored) Stars

 

Tracks:

1. Light This Party Up

2. Down

3. That One

4. The Best Damn Thing

5. Miss Mayhem

6. Pay It Forward

7. Found

8. Crowded Solitude

9. Let Me In

10. All Hands On Deck

11. We Connect

12. (I Wish I Had A) Concrete Heart

13. Earth To Angel

[TageRyche]

Interesting review. I don't know that I'll be picking this one up as it wasn't on my list already, but I'm planning to check out the video clip you included.

And oddly enough, you have now done more CD reviews this year than I have.

[RJhog (Admin)]

You slacker!  I've doubled your output...

I fully plan on reviewing every CD I by this year.  Should be getting The Cult's Hidden City up soon here.

[TageRyche]

Do you mean every newly released CD or EVERY CD...because at the rate you buy discs, that would keep you pretty freaking busy.

[RJhog (Admin)]

Just new releases for sure.  I could certainly never get as many done as newly released cd's I bought last year or the year before, but I'm cutting back on what I buy this year.  I think I've only bought 6 new releases so far this year and I plan to keep it fairly low if possible.  One reason is so that I can find time to review them, but the other big reason is so that I can spend more time listening to each disc. I've already found one that was just okay on first listen that is really growing on me.  That review will be coming soon.

[Scott]

If you have to mention that is not a country album then its a country album...  To quote Mr. Wonderful...  "I'm Out"...

All kidding aside I'm a fan of his work if its on the albums Working Class Dog and Living in Oz.  I even really love the track he did for that movie that I don't recall, but the song "Love Somebody" is great!  Other than that, I've not been able to be as enthusiastic about his music as you all are.  Maybe someday though....

[Jon]

Hard To Hold is maybe that movie. 

[Scott]

How'd you know this?

[Jon]

I just....know stuff.

[Scott]