Review Summary: There is proof that bacon isn't always delicious.
Bacon, defined by pork. America's obsession with fatty food obsessiveness is driveled down to thin strips of delicious bacony goodness. As apart of the Big 4 (ham, bacon, pork chops, and pork rinds), bacon stands alone with that intense taste of salt, more of a beef jerky texture than anything. Bacon's collaborations with turkey proved phenomenal so to speak. Their big hit of
turkey bacon drove fat little kids wild with their two favorite sandwich meats come together for a few bites of bliss. Bacon remains in the mainstream this day at fast food restaurants and at the Big Boy's breakfast bar.
The Bacon Brothers have nothing to do with that last statement. In fact, Bacon Brothers are led by actor Kevin Bacon and his not so famous classical music composer brother Michael Bacon both playing acoustic guitar. There is also a full standard house band backing them up through the duration of the tracks. The first thing that's probably going through your furry little minds is "why the hell is this pampered actor skipping through any hard work of musicianship and using his name to gain attention?" Well because he's Kevin freakin' Bacon, that's why. But that don't mean that its any good. Think of other actors in the past who dabbled their musical fingers in the mainstream cookie jar. Bruce Willis took a more bluesy route right after the success of Die Hard, its best to
not speak of that. Eddie Murphy had a top 40 hit in the 80's with "Party All The Time," his musical efforts blundered into one hit wonder obscurity. And less we forget...
Don Johnson. *shivers*.
Well here in the year of 1999, the second effort Getting There by the aging actor and his aging brother is none less a failed attempt to capitalize on the A-list movie success of Kevin. There is basically 2 sides of the album. There is a folkish side where its dominated by dual acoustic guitars by the Bacons. Then there is the "house band" style of music, where it has a bluesy/country edge.
The acoustic side actually has some great instrumentals. Both Kevin and Michael know how to play their 'tars. But once the vocals start, its all lost. The whole album features some freakin' awful vocals. Think of Jon Bon Jovi, then strip the "good" out of the voice and add a rugged wispy quality to it. In the credits, it notes that both of the Bacons do lead vocals, which you don't really notice since it blends into one brand of suck. Probably the most salvageable track here is When You Decide You've Stayed Too Long. Probably one of the only tracks where the voice wasn't overdone. It's a soft and touching ballad, which is tried often and usually not succeeded. It's A Rocky Road is a song where Michael takes center vocals which isn't too bad. Kevin's vocals compliments him fine. As the song progresses, it shows how growing up has taken its toll. Starts off first verse with living on a farm growing up, then progresses to living in the city during the last verse, wanting to know where life went. If City Of Fear isn't a Bon Jovi rip off, I have no idea what is. The melody of the song reminisce of the Bon Jovi track "Bed Of Roses." Its almost sickening of the influences.
So to say that the acoustic side is the "better" side. Because the "house band" style just plain blows. Performed by guys that isn't passionate for their music, but passionate for their paychecks. T.M.I. (Too Much Information) is such an awful example of that. It has a Johnny Cash style of bass playing, but its just a bad attempt at a rocking anthem. At least they have a sense of humor about themselves. In the T.M.I. song, where it states,
Quote:
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Originally Posted by T.M.I.
Stick to the movies instead
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indeed Kevin, indeed. Not Born To Beauty starts off with a standard blues riff on an electric guitar. It seem they try too hard, they try to fit in a "Pina Colota" to the bridge, as opposed to a very standard bluesy chorus. There seems to be no lyrical thought on here.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Not Born To Beauty
Turn on your MTV
And you won't find them there.
You can read that Rolling Stone cover to cover
you won't find them anywhere.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Arm Wrestling Woman
I got it bad for an Arm Wrestling Woman
I'm going mad for an arm wrestling girl.
I gotta steal my courage, lay it on the line
But I got to make her mine.
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So this isn't the
worst attempt at a musical career by an actor, but this is pretty bad. Aside from the good acoustics at times, there has to be some of the worst written lyrics, horribly delivered vocals, and the blandest back up band in a good while. If you want an actual good actor turned musician, check out Jared Leto (30 Seconds To Mars). Just stay away from this.
The Sludge's Thumb Ups:
When You Decide You've Stayed Too Long
It's a Rocky Road
July Away
