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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Brilliant, Solid Quo Record!, 27 Mar 2006
By A Customer
Well...when I bought the remaster a couple of weeks ago, I hadn't listened to 'Rockin' All Over The World' for many years (not since my original vinal copy!) but I always remember thinking it wasn't as good as the early stuff. And true, it might not have the instant WOW Factor of Dog of Two Head, Piledriver, Hello or Quo but I think it's a grower and a quick grower once you listen to it regularly and appreciate the quality of the songs on here. It's a different Quo, a more 'pop' sound and there lies the one fault...production isn't great in my opinion...too glossy, not enough of a live feel, and the tracks sometimes appear like they are mixed differently throughout the album making for a somewhat uneven sound.BUT in my opinion this album is better than 'On The Level' and 'Blue For You' because there is less filler. Starting with the excellent mid-tempo rocker 'Hard Time', it has a solid, almost sexy rhythm that really opens the album well. This flows seamlessly into the amazing 'Can't Give You More' which has to be among the band's best melodic numbers and a real fan favourite, very upbeat and hard not to sing along to. 'Let's Ride' is a grinding, rocking Alan Lancaster track and although on first listen it sounds like a filler, I now absolutely love it. It totally rocks. The beat reminds me a little bit of 'Just Take Me' from the 'Quo' album. 'Baby Boy' is a country song with a reggae beat. Sounds strange and it IS different, but what a great tune! Might take a while but you will end up really liking it. 'You Don't Own Me'. Alan Lancaster again demonstrates his powerful rock voice. And to great effect, because this is a brilliantly rocking song with an amazing guitar riff. Excellent album track. The next track, 'Rockers Rollin'' is very good, not a highlight in my opinion, but still catchy and hard to fault really. Rick sings over a driving rock beat. After that comes 'Rockin' All Over The World', and it needs no introduction! You all know this one. 'Too Far Gone' is slow tempo, moody blues rock and another one that isn't a highlight of this album but it's good as an album track. Some will think it's filler, give it time and it grows more. 'For You', a sweet ballad sung by Rick, in the style of Quo's hit 'Living On An Island'. Not as good as that one but still an excellent ballad and very welcome on this album. Melodic and good to chill out to. 'Dirty Water' is another popular fan track but probably lesser known to non-hardcore Quo fans. It is a country style song and a very very good one too. Has an amazing tune, very well written and just try to stop yourself singing 'ohh ohh ohhhhh' in the shower. A lighter Quo but who cares when it is this brilliant. The last official track on the album, 'Hold You Back' is probably the best on here. With a boogie, headbanging beat, grinding rhythm guitar and an excellent sing-a-long tune you cannot say a bad word about it. Bonus track on the remaster is a version of The Beatle's 'Getting Better' and apart from the fact it is sung by Francis Rossi, sounds almost identical! Still it's a bonus. In summary then. 'Rockin' All Over The World' is a great album in it's own right and a fascinating insight into the band's new direction which would form their early 80's sound. Not a true filler on here, a few which come close, this isn't a 'perfect' album. But how many are? If you initially get turned off by the production and lighter sound (for those previously listening to their early 70's material), keep listening because you will unlock a gem.
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