Review: Richie Sambora “Aftermath of the Lowdown”

Rock

Bon Jovi’s better half returns with his long-awaited third solo album, “Aftermath of the Lowdown”. No stranger to dramatic highs and lows in his personal life, Sambora throws lots of emotive lyrics into his work. This time around also features an unexpected pairing with power pop legend Roger Joseph Manning Jr (Jellyfish), who plays keyboards on the record. Other notable contributors include guitarist Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney) and Elton John’s longtime songwriting collaborator Bernie Taupin.

Things get off to a sizzling start with some outstanding guitar work in “Burn The Candle Down”, but the song is unfortunately ruined for me with the use of heavily distorted lyrics. Why a singer as talented as Sambora would chose to disfigure his voice like this defies logic. But the next track and first single, “Every Road Leads Home To You” is a terrific soaring modern rocker that sounds like Coldplay after testosterone injections. But even this is not as good as the upbeat rocker “Nowadays”, which features beautiful chord changes and an instantly memorable chorus you’ll want to sing all day. “Learning How to Fly With a Broken Wing” is another engaging anthem among the rocking tracks.

After a mighty peppy first half, the back half of the record is predominantly filled with balladry, but this is a specialty for Sambora. Among the most inspired, I would cite “Weathering the Storm” and the midtempo “Seven Years Gone”, which features one of his best vocal deliveries this time out. The album closes with a short Bowie-styled lullaby called “World”. Sambora sings “World, we don’t want you to end”, which is pretty much the same sentiment I had regarding the record at this point.

“Aftermath of the Lowdown” is a top quality rock album with a 50/50 mix of upbeat tunes and ballads. The album is a quantum leap into the modern rock era. Sambora is in excellent form on all levels – as songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist. Shame we don’t get to hear his solo efforts more often, but I guess that other band keeps him pretty busy! :)

Richie Sambora – Official site.

Check out the video for “Every Road Leads Home To You”:

You Were Robbed – Richie Sambora

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Richie Sambora has gotten plenty of love in the context of Bon Jovi, but his first solo record, 1991’s “Stranger In This Town”, didn’t capitalize on his fame to the extent that I expected. The record barely cracked the top 40 on the Billboard charts and its rousing lead single, “Ballad Of Youth” struggled to reach a dismal 63 on the singles chart. The subsequent singles, the soulful ballad “One Light Burning” and title track, didn’t even chart. Admittedly, the choice of singles was a bit perplexing, and probably has a lot to do with why the album wasn’t as warmly received as similar melodic rock records dominating the time period.

“Stranger In This Town” contains plenty of Bon Jovi-ish anthems (for example, “Ballad of Youth” and “Rosie”), but infuses the blues and a touch of soul that distinguish it from his day job output. In fact, the one and only Eric Clapton guests on the track, “Mr. Blueman”. Sambora’s voice harmonizes with Jon Bon Jovi perfectly, but this record shows he can stand on his own vocally. His voice also has more of an everyday man’s quality to it that exudes a charm all on its own.





Two of my favorite cuts on his debut solo record are saved until the end. “Father Time” is a huge power ballad that continues to resonate with me to this day, and “The Answer” is a rare and beautiful acoustic treat that makes us wonder why Sambora doesn’t put down his electric guitar more often.





Some other cool bits of trivia – Randy Jackson (American Idol dawg judge) played bass on “One Light Burning”, Desmond Child co-wrote “Rosie” and “Father Time”, and Dean Fasano (Message/Prophet) contributing backing vocals.

Bottom line: I would take this solo release from Sambora over any of Jon Bon Jovi’s solo efforts. This record is no "New Jersey", but surely should have performed much better than it did.