Not true Bob, but not bad

I think "Seger fails, but this is a noble attempt" is a concise (if somewhat harsh) way to describe this CD. After the unified, down-home feeling of "The Fire Inside," Seger seems to be at a loss with this album. He tries to go everywhere musically and ends up going almost nowhere. I say "almost" because this album does have its moments. "Rite of Passage" and "It's a Mystery" are both hard-rocking (if musically uninspired) tunes, and "Revisionism Street" is a lyrically brilliant summary of the politics of entertainment. "I Can't Save You Angelene" is a wonderfully bluesy farewell to the one who's not worth pursuing--different and intriguing content for Seger. "Manhattan" pushes the envelope too; once you get past the initial quirkiness of Seger's singing style on this song (he sing-speaks it a la Shawn Mullins), it proves itself a powerful tale of a drug deal gone horribly wrong for both parties--"two more unsolved mysteries," as Seger notes. Beyond those songs, I didn't find much on this album that stood out. As other reviewers have noted, however, that doesn't mean the rest of the album isn't decent music, since it is Bob Seger... not the unparalleled Bob Seger of "Night Moves" and "Stranger in Town" and "Nine Tonight," but Bob Seger nonetheless. This is a good one to buy for posterity if you can find it at a bargain price.

Rock and Roll with Heart and Mind

This is the first Seger album I've heard, and I love it. In fact, it's my faorite rock album. It's a rush to hear the lyrics of "Lock and Load," "Put Your Hands in the Air," and especially "Revisionism Street" -- I haven't heard anything so clearly poitical in decades; the messages needs to be said and heard. Seger's voice is amazing; I love the roughness and admire his control. The music is great; it's impossible to sit still when it's on. I don't know what the critics of this album are missing; I'm hearing it and judging it on its own merits, and I think it's excellent.