Tom Cochrane - No Stranger

Mature, deliberate, and enjoyable.

"No Stranger" will disappoint to some degree if the listener expects the guitar driven rock of earlier Cochrane efforts. Compared to XS, this is a collection of slower-paced songs for the most part, with more focus on acoustic guitar. In fact, the first part of the album seems almost like one long piece, with the tracks segueing nearly seamlessly into each other.

Toward the end of the disc, things pick up with "Since You Left Me" and "Spirit in the Sky", which also sound as if they were developed on stage as a sort of medley. I don't care for the original recording of "Spirit in the Sky" but TC puts some teeth and grit into it with his cover, making it something I can enjoy. My favorite track on the disc is "Didn't Mean"; it's a great chord progression and rhythm; I was compelled to break out the guitar to play along with it.

I was hoping for another Xray Sierra (an excellent album in all respects) but to be honest I'm simply glad Cochrane got back into the studio. There are plenty of gems on this record, which is rewarding enough for his fans. April 14, 2008

As good as they come

The production of this CD is not quite as lavish as Tom's first big solo CD - Mad Mad World, but its probably his best work since. This isn't a big, fast-tempoed, rock record centered around blazing guitar tracks. I would best describe it as compilation of Dillonesque slow-to-moderate tempoed folk ballads. Most of the songs have a very straightforward beat allowing the individual parts "and vocal lines" to "dance" around it, with the occasional crunch guitar to highlight certain parts. The only negative thing I could say about the entire CD is the drum sound on track five (Didn't Mean); great song -- some beautiful guitar highlights during the verses -- but that snare and those cymbals -- ugh! Overall, this is a very good CD with plenty of infectious melodies and - like all of Tom's work - never short on words. I would recommend it. May 17, 2007

Worth the wait!

I've been waiting eight years since the release of X-Ray Sierra, Tom's last album of new material. Great vocals and lyrics, a little more mellow than previous albums, but worth the wait! December 15, 2006

Cochrane Delivers with "No Stranger"

Tom Cochrane is "No Stranger" when it comes to his distinct vocals and outstanding songwriting. After an eight-year hiatus since, Tom delivers a well-worthwhile CD.
The opening track "The Party's Not Over" is an appropriate opening as if Tom is saying, "here I am", as it perfectly segues into "Glide". While Tom's vocals and songwriting withstands the hands of time, the disc lacks any rockers. Mostly a softer sound, perhaps the only up-tempo tracks include "Didn't Mean", "Rough and Tumble", "Spirit in the Sky" and the haunting "Since You Left Me". While Norman Greenbaum's "Spirit in the Sky" appears to be an odd choice for Cochrane to cover, he adopts the song as one of his own. Instead of performing the song in the familiar sense, Tom breathes new life into the 60's classic and interprets it so uniquely, that it sounds like it is a brand new song. Overall, Tom has not disappointed this long time fan. Excellent song writing, guitar playing, and vocals, has proven once again that Tom is NO Stranger to the music scene.

Personal Favs:
White Horse
Didn't Mean
Since You Left Me
Rough and Tumble
November 17, 2006

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