Bryan Adams - You Want It, You Got It

BRYAN'S VERY BEST ALBUM...

... unfortunately, however, this is one of those rare instances where the vinyl version sounds far better than the CD - a terrific recording with incredible deep bass and crisp highs that the CD version doesn't come close to matching... just about every track's a winner here, a far cry from Bryan's current output of recent years (which would seem to suggest that he's almost ready to come out of the closet)... July 28, 2006

Be careful what you Want, cuz you are about to get it!

Bryan, like Michael Bolton, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart and others, has since sold out and become a ballad singer, but this proud album reflects a very different approach. His talent is showcased here in the songwriting, the raw rock and roll sound and his trademark voice. It's a real treat to play "Fits Ya Good" for those who do not expect to hear a thunderous rock assault from present-day wimp Bryan Adams. If you gravitate toward that live-in-the-studio sound without the over-production, you need this album in your collection. October 8, 2004

Jealousy(1981) Establishing His Own Style

Canadian rock legend who recently returned with long-selling soundtrack "Spirit" was unknown to the world in 1981 when this second album was released. Japanese label titled this JEALOUSY probably because it was the title of the single for Japanese release. His debut album is quite catchy pop music with varied style just as those of TOTO, Survivor. This album again is catchy power pop album but its arrangement style got closer to what we are well aware of. FITS YA GOOD is such great track which could easily be one of RECKLESS track. COMING HOME has close style of STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART, huge hit from his next album CUTS LIKE A KNIFE. ONE GOOD REASON is great showcase of his groovy stuff. Most amazing is TONIGHT. By this he almost established his own vocal style aptly using subtle keyboard arrangemnt with economized vocal part. So although it did not sell well it has full of hidden explosives that led to his huge success for twenty years.

Recommended for early 80s power pop fans. September 25, 2004

The Album that started the "Adams Franchise"

The best way I look at Bryan Adams' "You Want It, You Got It" was this was the album that launched what I term "The Franchise". This was Bryan Adams' second full album and his second in which in co-wrote the songs with Jim Vallance. Adams and Vallance had collaborated together on Adams self title debut. But it was this album that truly launched 'The Bryan Adams sound' that would dominate the 80s and 90s. In addition, this is where Bryan Adams would start to form a core of studio musicians that would follow him for the next 2 decades. This album would feature Tommy Mandel on keyboards and Mickey Curry on drums. Mandel and Curry would become a staple of Adams' albums for the 80s and 90s. This was also the first of four studio albums in a row that Bryan would produce with Bob Clearmountain. Clearmountain is best known as one of the best studio mixers in the music business. All of these factors would launch "The Franchise" for Bryan Adams and set the tone for his musical development in the 80s.

This album being Adams' sophomore effort is a less commercial effort than the more familiar works that follow, but the quality of the music is there. There surprisingly is a lot of depth on this particular album. The song "Last Chance" is a very interesting track because there is a Saxaphone integrated into the music. The inclusion of a Sax is a rare thing on an Adams album which normally is usually loaded with lots of guitars and keyboards. You'll also hear Mandel's keyboards quite a bit on this song - as well as on the track "Lonely Night". The other thing is that the Adams/Vallance songwriting connection really gets off to a good start on this album. There is some nice depth of tracks "Lonely Nights", "Fits Ya Good", "Tonight" and "No One Makes It Right".

Some interesting stuff is on this album There is a reference in the track "One Good Reason" that says 'Now that Ronnie's in the Office...' - a slight political jab put into the song by Adams and Vallance. The track "Don't Look Now" has a distinct Jackson Browne feel to it - it does remind of "Running on Empty". 'Don't Look Now' also reminds me as a pre-quel to another Adams classic called 'This Time' that will follow on the third album. The original version of "Fits Ya Good" is on this album which is more uptempo and harder edged than the version found on the 1997 'Unplugged' album. The song "Jealousy" is also something a little different than you will hear on many Adams albums. Curry and Mandel's drumming and keyboards really shine on it this song. Nice bass work followed by some cool guitars mark the start of "Tonight" and some bold lyrics that say "Who you gonna run to now that your (butt) is on the line..." followed by some great range in Adams' vocals.

It is also worth noting that I think Clearmountain and Adams do a great job at ordering the tracks on the album. "Lonely Nights" is the perfect opening song. "No One Makes It Right" is the perfect finale to the album. "One Good Reason" has that feel of being a #2 track. Even "Last Chance" is perfectly slotted as the next to last track on the album. I wouldn't change a thing in terms of the ordering of the tracks. The first and last songs are the best 2 on the album - especially "No One Makes It Right" - which might sound like that emotional song you would hear at a teenage prom, but I still never get tired of it.

The disappointments are the title track (kind of weak by my standards). The liner notes are very thin - they contain no lyrics and do match up the credits to the song very nicely.

Most fans starting to build a Bryan Adams collection probably won't start with this album, but I would say why not? This album will also give you many great singles that have been omitted on the greatest hits and live albums. Highly recommended! May 26, 2004

Before the Buzzards Started to Circle

I have to tell you that in college, we wore out this Bryan Adams (then)album. Little did we know in '81/82, that in a few years, he would be a superstar. Little did we know he would become a Michael Bolton ballad singing, adult contemporary chart topper, with the likes of Sting and Barbra Streisand! Little did we know that "Coming Home" on "You Want It, You Got It" was more like what we would hear in the future, not the rocking "Lonely Nights".

This album was before all that, before the buzzards were flying around his musical body of work. Bryan Adams rocks on this CD! All are good tunes, yes, even "Coming Home".

I had the chance to see Bryan on this tour as well, and these songs were great live. Obviously, hard core Bryan fans want this to fill out the collection. This is also a chance for a few of us to listen back and think what might have been.

The title track along with "Don't Look Now' are stand outs.

There are other tunes from some of Bryan's other CD's that are good, please don't get me wrong. I even own a lot of them. I just think this one is an excellent example of some of his better musical output.

Bryan has had what?... about 25 top 40 hits? My guess is about half of those hits were ballads. My hope is one day, Bryan will pop in this CD, and think about making something along the lines of "You Want It, You Got It". There are some rockin' tunes on the disc that some folks have not been exposed to. It's worth the time to listen to this one.

Don't hate me Bryan, I just like this one the best. May 12, 2004

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