Robert Lamm's Subtlety and Passion
Published July 18, 2004
Lamm is still willing to explore social commentary in his music as well, skewering the silliness of made-for-TV awards shows on "Gimme Gimme" and looking at post-9/11 personal realities in the stark, electronic "It's Always Something." "You Never Know The Story" is a touching tribute to Terry Kath and Miles Davis.
There's another reason why this has the feel of a classic Chicago album, and that's because the entire band as it is currently constituted appears on it. Not every member appears on every song, but the whole band is here, and the horns are given a prominence they haven't really had since the late 70s. It's a kick to hear the Chicago horns at high dudgeon, and properly recorded for a change. Lamm himself is in good form as well. He throws some cool Fender Rhodes work into almost every song, and his voice hasn't lost much over time.
Now, even though I've spent a few paragraphs telling you that this album instantly recalls Chicago's heyday, don't go thinking that this album is a time-warp back to 1975. The songs fit Chicago's old style quite well, but they do represent a gradual musical evolution. And, amazingly, while Chicago was always about as pop as a band gets, after a couple listens to Subtlety and Passion, I keep having the same thought: There's not a track here that wouldn't sound out of place on the local "smooth-jazz" station. (Well, except for the fact that it's just a little too interesting to be thrown up against the likes of Messrs. Koz and G; it would only discourage them, and then what would we listen to in the dentist's office? Savage Garden?)
All in all, I like this album, but a lot of that is because I like Chicago. Small matter; the people this album is for, it's really for. And I'm happy to be one of those people.
- Robert Lamm's Subtlety and Passion
- Published: July 18, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Pop, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies
- Writer: Mark Hasty
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I couldn't have said it better myself. I was one of the first kids on my block to own Chicago Transit Authority when it came out and, like you, suffered greatly through the David Foster/Peter Cetera Era. That was so frustrating because I'd listen to that crap thinking, "These guys are WAY better than this!"
Anyway, I've just bought Subtlety and Passion and I can't disagree with much of what you said. Thanks for sharing.
hola saludos desde mexico:
Este álbum es uno de los mejores que he escuchado, no lo digo solo porque soy fan de chicago desde hace un buen tiempo, sino porque realmente su sonido es envolvente.
El sonido, la letra y todos los demás efectos son increíbles, y no hablo de que sean espectaculares sino que estan perfectamente engranados en las canciones.
Realmente no necesitas ser fan de chicago ni compartir conmigo el gusto por la musica (la voz) de Robert Lamm. Si realmente te gusta la música te recomiendo este álbum que sin duda alegrará tu día o tal vez tu semana entera.
EXCELLENT!!!!
Great album/CD. I really like Roberts style of music. However, regarding the other reviewers comments on Peter Cetera and David Foster I would have to complelty disagree. Peter Cetera saved Chicago from bottoming out - becoming extinct. His music saved Chicago. Now while the ballads became popular (because they were great songs - Hard To Say I'm Sorry, You're the Inspiration - Peter Cetera also gave the last hard rockin' hit "Stay the Night" - which was their last harder rockin' tunes that they've ever come out with. Check the collection of recordings that Chicago came out without Peter Cetera - and you will see a lot of stuff that is mostly crap. Robert was LOST (last decent hit was "Harry Truman" - James Pankow was stuck in the 70's - the group was basically putting out some really sappy music "AFTER" Peter Cetera left. Chicago has failed on there own with out Peter Cetera. And Robert was a big if not huge part of that failure.
Subletly and Passion redeems Robert - it truly is an outstanding effort.
Larry J.
Robert Lamm has not penned a Chicago hit since 1976, and there are a whole bunch of reasons for that which include the ballad era. Like it or not, it was what was selling and if that was a sellout so be it. The record industry has not responded to a return of a full horn based Chicago song as of yet. Robert's smooth vocals are timeless, he really has not lost much if any of his range and his voice should have been used more in the last 30 years.
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A great write up.A truly brilliant artist. A must for all lovers of great music.