Absolute Radio: Discover real music

Being 13 at the time this was released in 2001, I was hardly the target audience for a Bee Gees CD. However, having heard my mother play this CD, for the first (and seemingly last) time ever I could agree with her musical tastes and decided to borrow the CD.

My interest was gained initially by the CD's title track, 'This is Where I Came In', a catchy little number which is a fitting introduction to the rest of the album. However, there are many more delights in store; for my money the best tracks are Man in the Middle (sung by Maurice), Embrace (Robin), The Extra Mile (Robin) and Voice in the Wilderness (all- but lead vocals by Barry); which is without doubt the best conclusion to a song I've ever heard. Though I think this track and The Extra Mile should be placed at the end of the album.

To conclude, I hope I have portrayed my love for this album. Not in the same disco-style of the Bee Gees of the 70s, this album nonetheless has plenty to delight all. Technicolor Dreams is the widely criticised track on this album, but whilst being a trifle strange is still a pleasant ditty.

My understanding, please correct me if wrong, is that this was the last (studio) album recorded before Maurice's death. If that is the case, at least he went out on top.



Rating: 5 out of 5

This album is great. It is definitely one of those records which once you've listened to it a couple of times, you are hooked on it and can't get it out of your head. The best thing about it is the varirty and scope of this album, lots of different sounds and none of them unappealing. The best songs, in my opinion are Deja Vu. This is great because it is catchy and sounds really interesting. Plus Robin's voice sounds great. I love Just In Case because of that little twist in the chorus that is just so perfect! It sounds like poetry and is I think quite an unusual ballad. Promise The Earth I think has a really great sound. It is one of those songs you want to listen to very loudly (or maybe that's just me!) The one that sticks in my head (for days) is Embrace, it wasn't my favourite at first but it probably is now. The lyrics are inspirational (as all these are really) and the sound is great because it's so catchy. Wedding Day I thought was a bit sentimental (if i'm being picky) but now I really love it because it is romantic and has power. Technicolor Dreams is interesting and experimental sounding, a bit different so not eeryone will like it. But i like it because it is really original. All in all this record is so varied in its sound (but not quality) that it should have someone to please everyone.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Hopefully this is not the last we will hear of the Bee Gees. Maybe after the pain of losing Maurice has faded Barry and Robin will record again, even just to close the book on the story of the Bee Gees, because as a farewell album this sadly just doesn't cut the mustard. It starts off well with the stomping title track, the rocking 'She Keeps on Coming' and the two mid tempo can't-get-it-out-of-your-head tracks 'Sacred Trust' and 'Wedding Day', but is let down with a host of rather bland tunes lifted only by one of their best 'later years' ballads 'Just in Case' and the odd out-of-place-but-strangely-listenable 'Technicolor Dreams', a tune Paul McCartney would be proud to have stuck on one of The Beatles later albums. I give this album 4 stars 'cos it's got Just In Case, Sacred Trust and This Is Where I Came In on it. Without those tracks it probably would have got 2 stars

Rating: 4 out of 5

This is one of the greatest albums ever made. It floats and explodes right up there alongside (or above) their other Fabs-inspired masterpieces: Mr Natural, Living Eyes, Size Isnt Everything, 1st, Idea, Odessa and Horizontal. It is a rare phenomenon, near impossible, when a band can maintain or resume this level of creative energy and brilliance after such a long career. But the BGs do it. Buy now, play loud and experience one of the meanings of life, as we know it.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Today is Sunday January 12, 2002 the day poor Maurice Gibb passed away which is the motivation for writing this review. In fact I have This Is Where I Came In on the cd as I write. So this is the last Bee Gees cd (as we knew them).Why 3 stars - the die hard Bee Gees fans (see reviews below) are always going to tell you every album the write and produce is the best thing since sliced bread. Also on this day I refuse to get carried away by the emotion that follows when a famous star dies - the obituries tell us the impact of his loss on the music scene/what an untold genius the man was etc. However what must be said is, and listening to this cd emphasizes it, the Bee Gees were great songwriters and it is not an exaggeration to say that one feels another true great song (Tragedy, Chain Reaction, New York Mining Disaster 1941) may have been around the corner. However This Is Where I Came In is not Saturday Night Fever (or the one with "You should be dancing" on it) and there was no great hit forthcoming from it. Also a bit too much of fade out the volume at the end of a track because we can't think of a way to end the song. As for this cd - the tracks are very easy listening. "Technicolor Dreams" is poor though - I mean technicolor who uses that word nowadays? But annoyingly catchy. Definite strengths are "Walking on Air" - incredibly (or was I imagining it) I heard this as call hold music. Unfortunately I'm not such a Bee Gees fan that I can provide any useful comparative but for those fans of the tight trouser period there is a smattering of Barry falsetto and some great ballads like "Loose Talk Costs Lives".All in all not at all a disappointing buy. Overall the sort of cd which would be the final choice in a three for the price of two bargain when you can't decide on the third cd.

Rating: 3 out of 5