Roger Daltrey - Can't Wait to See the Movie

Not bad at all

I went into this album thinking I'd already heard Roger's two best solo albums, 'McVicar' and 'Under a Raging Moon,' and didn't think there could possibly be any more of his solo albums I'd ever rate that highly on my hit parade. But this album truly exceeded all of my expectations, and just goes to show that one should never accept the opinions of others and let them make up one's mind if one hasn't yet gotten the chance to directly experience it. In general, I really don't think Roger's solo work is as awful as its reputation. It is kind of hit and miss, but it's not what I'd consider awful either. It also helps that he co-wrote two of the songs, "Take Me Home" and the terrific "Balance on Wires." I'd never say this album ranks up there with the likes of his two best, but I still love it.

Unlike his two best solo albums, which are loaded with great rockers, this is more of a pop album, with some ballads thrown in. But in spite of being known as a rock and not a pop singer, Roger does a fantastic job with the material, and just because something is a pop album doesn't mean it should be dismissed. A well-made pop album can be just as capable as a rock album of being a classic, or at least a good album. He was also working with all of the right people for this project, and as usual his fantastic voice can carry any song. Though UARM was his last really great album, and the last time he screamed from start to finish, his vocals are still in top form here. He was starting to get a bit older, but he still had that wonderful vocal versatility, able to sound gruff, dangerous, and dirty in one song and then angel-sweet in another. There's just so much musical energy on this album, though perhaps I'm biased in liking it this much, since I was an Eighties child, and therefore have a sentimentality for that overproduced sound and just the general Eighties time stamp. I don't really think "Take Me Home" makes the best closing track, but in spite of that minor flaw, I consider this one of my favorite of Roger's solo albums. I'd totally recommend it to someone who already has his two best and is looking for something more. January 10, 2008

Well Done, But Doesn't Stand Tall...

...which is really too bad. I remember when this came out in 1987...I was into the Who in a big way, but in a backward way, I'd heard Daltrey and Townshend's solo stuff first. Go figure.

Anyway, "Under A Raging Moon" remains to me one of Daltrey's finest hours, and this effort to repeat the process sadly did not hit on all cylinders, despite best efforts.

Alan Shacklock was brought back to do "Can't Wait," hopefully to rework the magic. For the most part, the songs are good, and the production is slick. But it does lack the bluster you'd expect from Daltrey.

"Hearts of Fire," a Russ Ballard tune is good, "Balance on Wires" is a moody, intriguing peace, and "Take Me Home" tries to do some sort of dance/jazz/rock fusion thing. Kinda works.

Daltrey also has the ability to take a ballad and make it great, witness so many great Who songs. Here he doesn't get the great song--"Miracle of Love" is okay, but a bit soppy, almost something like Rod Stewart would do, but Rog gives it a go.

This really isn't a bad record in any way. It just doesn't stack up well against "Raging Moon" and 93's "Rocks in the Head."

Either way, don't matter--Daltrey is pushing 60 and STILL has one of the most powerful voices in rock and roll! March 23, 2005

Not as great as Under a Ragin Moon but good....

THIS CD. SEEMS TO BE RUSH MADE. THE PRODUCER IS THE SAME AS "UNDER A RAGIN MOON". THERE IS A GREAT TUNE PENNED BY RUSS BALLARD (HIS CDS ARE VERY VERY GOOD), AND ON PARTICULAR GOOD SONG CO-PENNED BY ROGER DALTREY HIMSELF( BALANCE OF WIRES).
BUT THE LAST TWO SONGS SOUNDS ILL MIXED AND IS A SHAME BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD SONGS TOO.
THE CD IS GOOD BUT NO AS "UNDER A RAGIN MOON" OR "ROCKS IN THE HEAD".
CHEEK OUT RUSS BALLARD...HE IS A GREAT SONG WRITER AND GUITAR PLAYER (EX-ARGENT).
HE PRODUCED ROGER DALTREY S' "RIDE A ROCK HORSE" AND ALSO WROTE "FREE ME" FROM MC VICAR SOUNDTRACK.

December 20, 2004

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