Working class dog Rick Springfield is back in his highly anticipated and critically acclaimed album “Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance,” In a diversion from his past recordings, this album is anything but bubblegum pop. The new album is full of passionate lyrics, heavy guitars, and an infectious hook that never lets go.
With the masses corrupted with bland music, it wouldn’t be surprising if you don’t recognize the name Rick Springfield. Springfield had a slew of hits in the 80’s including chart toppers “Jessie’s Girl,” “Don’t Talk to Strangers,” “Affair of the Heart” and “Love Somebody.” Though many of his songs were bubblegum in nature, they were fun and memorable hits that established Rick Springfield as a quality artist.
“Shock/Denial/Anger/Acceptance” is Springfield’s follow-up to his overlooked 1999 effort “Karma” and features fifteen hot tracks that keep you wanting for more. As a Rick Springfield fan I was expecting another pop/rock album, but to my surprise this album takes a 180-degree turn into a heavy rock monster. First time listeners to Rick Springfield would think that he has been jamming with Megadeth and Motley Crue his whole life, two groups he actually pre-dates.
The first single off this album is the song “Will I,” which plays like the bastard cousin of “Jessie’s Girl,” as he passionately sings about a girl that seems too out of reach. The guitars shred throughout this song, which is one of the best new tracks of the year. This song has already gotten some hit airplay, so listen for it.
Another great song is “Wasted.” The song has a contagious heavy riff describing how two people have the power to complete each other, but the power to do so is consequently wasted. This song has also been getting great feedback by fans and critics of this album and probably the second single to spark off this album.
Other highlights on the album are two religiously themed songs. “Jesus Saves” mixes an epic guitar riff with corresponding keyboards as it describes how a Jesus will save a white trash girl that betrayed him in love. On “Eden,” he describes how his gateway to heaven and salvation is through a beautiful girl that he loves. This song is beautiful with its use of harmonic guitars and violins.
The songs are quite diverse, with Springfield experimenting with a variety of styles. In “God Gave You Everything,” he races his vocals with shredding guitars, experiments a bluesy style in “Alien Virus,” and attempts quick raps followed by hard guitars on “My Depression.”
Throughout the whole album we are treated by superb songwriting mixed with heavy guitars and an excellent voice that still seems fresh since his early 80’s days.
Rick Springfield, is a transcending artist who is just as good as he was in his prime, even with an absolutely different sound. As one of the best, yet one of the most underrated musicians of all-time, Rick Springfield delivers an album that is a definite must buy, especially for those who enjoy hard rock.
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