Mr. Big Lean Into It
Lean Into It shines musically, giving the audience a full frontal on the individual talents of Billy Sheehan (bass), Pat Torpey (drums), Eric Martin (vocals), and Paul Gilbert (lead guitar). It feels as though they take their ultra pro status a bit too seriously, forgetting to write hits (To Be with You was written by Eric Martin years prior).
⭐ 6.75/10
Mr. Big's Lean Into It is best known for super hair metal power ballad, To Be with You. Mr. Big's bluesy sophomore album excels at nothing though.
Why ultra pro status? So get this, you're Eric Martin, you're a phenomenally talented singer, and yet you might be the least talented person in your band. That's Mr. Big, they were an all-star team. Sometimes all-star teams don't win championships though, you know?
Ahhhh To Be with You. Check it out. Sing along with Mr. Big. Come on, you know the chorus!
If I'm being honest, it's definitely not for the lyrics or the memorable tunes. It's purely for the music.
Lean Into It notes
Lean Into It - Mr. Big showcases the stellar talent of Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan, and Pat Torpey
Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
Sheehan and Gilbert just warming up.
I'm really confused by the chorus, "I'll be your daddy, your brother, your lover, and your little boy!" Was then, still am today.
Gilbert solo setting the fretboard on fire to start Lean Into It off right.
Alive and Kickin
Eric Martin makes singing sound so incredibly easy.
Look at that tassled-up white Ibanez PGM that Gilbert rocks in the Alive and Kickin. Thing is gorgeous.
Nice breakdown. I appreciate masters of their craft. Torpey is so generous to let Sheehan and Gilbert do whatever they feel is necessary for the tune.
Sheehan, bodacious wristbands there fella.
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
Paul Gilbert, cause he can. Slick intro, Paul.
I forgot Green-Tinted Sixties Mind had a video. They made it just so you can see Pat Torpey keep the beat, toss a stick twirl, all while harmonizing on the vocals. Talent abound in Mr. Big.
You can hear tones of what would become Fuzz Universe (solo record) in Gilbert's intro and outro.
CDFF-Lucky This Time
This song is totally playing the angel/devil on your shoulder. It goes to the harder, gritty beat when it wants to lean on the euphemism of opening one's heart to get lucky this time. Then they completely turn on the good cop routine and get all lovey-dovey. Make your mind Mr. Big. Or, is that the wicked game you play?
Voodoo Kiss
Dope acoustic intro. Voodoo Kiss has got something going for it. I can't place it, but it's there.
Never Say Never
Big riff, bigger vocals. Never Say Never possesses all the trappings of a hair metal tune.
Just Take My Heart
Paul Gilbert doing his best Paul Gilbert impression. Dude is just the best. Really, he is arguably the best guitar player ever. I dig the crystal clean guitar tone on Just Take My Heart.
The song sounds like EVERY song that ever appeared at the beginning of the third act of an 80s movie.
That should come as no surprise, Eric Martin contributed two songs to the Iron Eagle Soundtrack with Eyes of the World and These Are The Good Times.
Waiting ... waiting ... And there the key change is. Mr. Big is comprised of professionals, and professionals toss a key change into the slow song.
My Kinda Woman
Light overdrive. Scratch that. It's on.
1946! To whom does Sir Eric Martin refer to? Fire engine lips? Of course she has them.
Got a bit of [Van Halen][/van-halen/] going on in My Kinda Woman. Some early, Diamond Dave music with Hagar-esque vocals.
A Little Too Loose
I dig the change up. That's a greasy vocal line to start this. They are chugging the blues like they are adventurous babysitters who can't leave the club without doing so first.
You can hear the skill difference between the folks of Mr. Big and a band like [Faster Pussycat][/faster-pussycat/] on A Little Too Loose.
Road to Ruin
Of COURSE she took you down the Road to Ruin. You (the band) clearly played no part in it. Feet shufflin' beat. Some nice Ohhh Ohhh OH OH OHs.
Mostly an average song. Nice little bass part thrown in.
Only Paul Gilbert can make one note sound so nice. Strong Sheehan interplay. Huge shreddy sweep! Love me shredding sweeps on guitar. Come to think of it, what would a bass sweep sound like?!
Billy Sheehan could pull it off.
To Be with You
A mega power ballad. Easily top ten, maybe even top five. Classic acoustic solo. Requisite key change, and a hefty three-stepper at that. Then, the double key change fakeout back down into the original key.
To Be with You was THE hit. Better still, how many true hits are the final track?
Answer: not many.
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Reviews of Mr. Big Albums
Hair Metal