Mr. Big – Get Over It

Artist: Mr. Big

Title: Get Over It

Label: Atlantic

Rating: 5/10

Well, Mr. Big is back with a new release. Do you remember Mr. Big? They were a mix of musical superstars with the likes of solo singer/songwriter Eric Martin, Racer X guitar whiz Paul Gilbert, and master bassist Billy Sheehan who, for a short while, made David Lee Roth and Steve Vai one of the greatest shows on earth. Their second release, 1991’s Lean Into It, catapulted the band to stardom with a guitar laden “Green Tinted Sixties Mind” and the cool acoustic ballad “To Be With You”. That was 1991, and for better or worse, they haven’t gone away, and they haven’t changed their formula. Paul Gilbert was replaced by fellow Shrapnel label guitar great Ritchie Kotzen, but you’d never know it. The band is still belting out their special blend of hook driven rock-n-roll that got them started.

Do I like this disc? Sure. It is the kind of stuff that you can put on in the background of an outdoor pool party and have a blast with. The only problem is that it’s been done by too many bands for far too long. Back in the day, it was the excitement of hearing Billy’s two-fingers-on-the-fretboard bass licks and Paul’s masterful chops, all barely held together by the skeleton of a song that set this band apart. And though you’d have to be dead to not hum along or tap your foot to this disc, it doesn’t quite pack the punch of the old days.

I don’t have much to say for any particular song, except that they are all perfect for popular radio; you can pretty much get the idea from the first four songs. A couple of fast paced rockers followed by a slower, funky, blues-based song, then a sappy, but catchy ballad, all with the signature Eric Martin vocals. I don’t know if it’s the band that’s getting old or if it’s just me, but I need a little more excitement and thought from a band before I go out and spend my hard earned cash on them.

If I ever get a hankerin’ for some good ‘ole early 90’s rock where ego driven musicianship and sound songwriting were in constant conflict, I’ll just put in my old copy of their debut, Mr. Big, and turn it up really loud.

+ postman