Bryan Ferry Album: “Frantic”

This is a great album! Bryan Ferry with his new album "FRANTIC", has regained the creative passion that initially made Roxy Music one of the most influential bands of the '70s. While much of his audience is probably over 40, I would guess much of this older fan base is very loyal, and probably considers itself fairly well educated musically. Once the word of mouth spreads, this album will have a solid chance to cross over to a more mainstream audience. Can we say Grammy award?

Bryan Ferry's early solo albums were often wonderful. He often drew on a mixture of top musicians and would also include some of his Roxy Music bandmates on certain tracks. He does that here and returns to some of his signature sounds and roots in "FRANTIC". Reminiscent in one respect, of his debut album of 1972, "THESE FOOLISH THINGS", he again uniquely covers a couple of great Dylan classics, "IT'S ALL OVER BABY BLUE" and "DON'T THINK TWICE, IT'S ALL RIGHT". There is much original new Ferry scored material here as well, including several strong up tempo songs co-written with Dave Stewart. One of which, an homage to Marilyn Monroe, "GODDESS OF LOVE" could become a hit single.

When you think about it, Bryan Ferry has been one of the most prolific songwriter, bandleader, vocalists of the past 30 years. Roxy Music, of which Ferry wrote or co-wrote virtually everything, produced 8 original material albums, not including concert/greatist hits, and Ferry had 10 solo albums previous to this and not including collections, etc.

There is something for every Ferry fan here, a bit of every era of Bryan. The songs are varried in styles, that it is just a pure pleasure to experience. There are at least eight strong songs on this disk. It is one of Ferry's finest albums.

I seem to recall Bryan himself saying words to the effect that Mamouna had been stewing for so long it'd come out overcooked. I bought it, but bar a couple of promising tracks, I was never been hooked by it. I despaired that another old rocker seemed to be beginning the slide from the heights of fantastic artistry to...depths of mediocrity in his dotage. Then after an interminable wait during which I thought Bryan had given up and retired, out came As Time Goes By. The flame of hope rekindled! If only Bryan could take a corresponding magical formula and apply it carefully to some nice new original songs...

Well, along came Frantic. I approached the CD store with trepidation. However a few good reviews had propped up my courage, and I took Frantic home, sound unheard. A gamble, but what a payout! I can't stop playing this disc. As soon as I heard Track 1 I decided that Bob should have paid Bryan to sing all his songs, right from Day One. And Goddess Of Love could sit on a Bryan/Roxy Greatest Hits package right alongside Oh Yeah, Dance Away, More Than This, Avalon, etc.

I could keep the superlatives flowing all day. Suffice to say I'm hugely impressed with Bryan's success in making this album so eclectic yet so cohesive. Nearly 60? So what, the man has hip in spades, and the voice is still as lovely as ever. Yet another illustration of the fact that age should be completely irrelevant. This man should be in the Top 40 right now.

Once upon a time, albums like this and their spin-off singles used to litter the charts. Nowadays the music world seems to be on an endless downwards slide where artistry, musicianship, taste and quality are pushed aside in favour of appallingly mediocre talentless manufactured acts. Just as galling is the sight of once great artists desperately clinging to the last remnants of their bankability by appearing in charity concerts propping up/propped up by teeny boy and girl bands. Unfortunately, everything is reduced towards the lowest common denominator as the dollar takes over. But Bryan, I love you. You haven't sold out. Your integrity remains while you pursue your craft with dedication and class. What will I do when you're no longer around? Whose new records will I buy? Ronan Keating? Enrique? For God's sake.

Bryan Ferry is, in my opinion, one of the most brilliant vocalists in the recording industry today. He manages to combine a music-hall crooner persona with some of the hottest licks out there, and "Frantic" is no exception. Two Dylan cuts on this album, "It's All Over Now Baby Blue" and "Don't Think Twice (It's All Right)" receive better treatment here than in their original versions. As usual, Ferry grabs you at the outset and doesn't let go.

This is a terrific album from Bryan Ferry - it has more of a progressive

rock feel to it, more like what early Roxy Music would've done than what he's normally done on his own. The notes say that he felt rejuvenated by the recent touring with Roxy Music when he set out to do this record, and it definitely shows. And, if you're looking for an excellent sounding 5.1 DVD-A disc (Advanced Resolution), you shouldn't let this one get away.

The eight year is finally over. After 1999s dissapointing As Time Goes By, one of my all-time favorite singers returns with renewed energy with an album that was almost worth the eight year wait.

If your expecting another Mamouna you might be in for a bit of a suprise as Frantic has a bluesier sound. It sort of reminds me of Michael McDonalds Blue Obsesssion CD.

It's Over Now Baby Blue begins this CD with a kick with a very country/rock twist. A great song to start of this CD. Cruel kind of continues the strange sounds of All Tommorrows Parties and Gemini Moon except this song is much more upbeat and not quite as eerie as those two but just as good as those two. Goin' Down is pure fun. It's a very upbeat bluesy song. Goddess Of Love features a harmonica, something I have never heard if Ferrys music before(I have not yet heard most of his pre-Boys and Girls material yet). Ferry has never sounded so good. We mellow down with Don't Think Twice, It's All Right. Don't Think Twice is a very simple piano ballad sort of like the beginning of These Foolish Things before the beat begins. Nobody Loves Me is a very rockish song with a bit of an early to mid 90s sound. Ja Nun Hons Pris is a pointless 35 second interlude with a female opera voice in the background. A Fool For Love is jazzier and moodier. A beautiful song. Goodnight Irene is very country sounding. Hiroshima is more rock sounding. San Simeon is haunting with a darker more cloudy even sound. One Way Love is a faster more upbeat song with a very sunny day sound. I Thought closes out this CD with a breezy country sounding song.

As a whole Frantic is a welcome return for the master of crooning. There is no 'New Town, Limbo or even Taxi'. This is a new Bryan Ferry. I doubt he'll top Bete Noire but Frantic is a CD worth checking out.

So far one of the best CDs of 2002!