It’s amazing to think that Van Morrison has been sharing his remarkable music with fans longer then most of today’s top musicians have been alive. Van once again provides for listeners an impressive treat with his new release Back On Top.
Although Back On Top has received mixed reviews, it has already hit the UK charts. The album includes both beautiful, dreamy melodies, as well as a few shallow, uninspired grooves. As is typical with Van’s work, most songs bring the listener in and connect to the soul through the superb imagery of the lyrics and the euphonic resonation of the instruments, the apex being Van’s voice. This is especially true with the wonderful “Philosophers Stone” and the captivating “When the Leaves Come Falling Down”. “In the Midnight” is an intense, low-key song that may go unnoticed during the first listen as it gets lost following “Philosophers Stone”, but once noted, the listener will want to pay full attention to absorb each phrase and feeling. Van touches the heart with the romantic “Reminds Me of You”.
The album opener, “Goin’ Down Geneva”, is a great blues jam, but doesn’t fully capture the talent and depth of the performers. On the weaker side, “Precious Time”, while lyrically strong, has an uncanny similarity to a slow tempo version of the old “da doo ron ron”. “New Biography” is a step away from being a great song. It’s performed strongly with great vocals and is backed up well instrumentally, but it still misses the mark. “Golden Autumn Day” brings the cd to an end with a rather strange feel because of the odd mix of imagery brought out in the lyrics.
The melancholy feel of the album might not get your toes tapping or bring you up if you are down; it’s more like being wrapped in the comfort of an old friend that can reach you in a way no one else could. Back On Top is not one of Van’s strongest albums, but it will be well received by the old fans, and if given the chance will attract a few new ones.
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