Bryan Adams [1995] Live! Live! Live!

[01] She's Only Happy When She's Dancin'
[02] It's Only Love
[03] Cuts Like A Knife
[04] Kids Wanna Rock
[05] Hearts On Fire
[06] Take Me Back
[07] The Best Was Yet To Come
[08] Heaven
[09] Heat Of The Night
[10] Run To You
[11] One Night Love Affair
[12] Long Gone
[13] Summer Of '69
[14] Somebody
[15] Walking After Midnight
[16] I Fought The Law
[17] Into The Fire



amg: Bryan Adams's Live! Live! Live! is a straightforward live album, featuring his greatest hits replicated in concert. Adams' support band is professional and he is in fine voice, but the record doesn't offer any new interpretations of the hits, nor does it have much energy. Consequently, it isn't necessary for anyone but the most dedicated fans.
(amg 4/10)

Bryan Adams [1993] So Far So Good

[01] Summer Of '69
[02] Straight From The Heart
[03] It's Only Love
[04] Can't Stop This Thing We Started
[05] Do I Have To Say The Words
[06] This Time
[07] Run To You
[08] Heaven
[09] Cuts Like A Knife
[10] (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
[11] Somebody
[12] Kids Wanna Rock
[13] Heat Of The Night
[14] Please Forgive Me



amg: Throughout the 1980s and early '90s, few contemporary rock artists were able to come up with as many lighthearted, guilty pleasures as Bryan Adams. This is especially evident through So Far So Good, which neglects all album fillers and compiles many of his most noteworthy songs, from such rockers as "Summer of '69," "Run to You," and "Cuts Like a Knife" to the equally popular power ballads "Heaven" and "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You." Also included is the all-new "Please Forgive Me," one of his best power ballads yet. It's not quite a perfect compilation, however; in particular, his Top 20 hits "She's Only Happy When She's Dancin" and "Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven" are overlooked. These are only minor flaws, though. There is no better introduction to Bryan Adams to date than So Far So Good.
(amg 9/10)

Bryan Adams [1984] Reckless

[01] One Night Love Affair
[02] She's Only Happy When She's Dancing
[03] Run To You
[04] Heaven
[05] Somebody
[06] Summer Of '69
[07] Kids Wanna Rock
[08] It's Only Love
[09] Long Gone
[10] Ain't Gonna Cry



amg: Bryan Adams capitalized on the momentum of Cuts Like a Knife with 1984's Reckless, a virtually flawless collection of melodic hard rock which would dominate radio for years to come. "Run to You" was a brilliant lead-off single which remains one of Adams' best songs ever, but its success still pales in comparison to follow-up smashes such as "Summer of '69," "It's only Love," (a duet with Tina Turner), and the ballad to end all ballads, "Heaven." Although some songs haven't aged very well (especially the overtly cheesy "Kids Wanna Rock"), these weak links are easily eclipsed by further highlights such as the cool rock of "One Night Love Affair" and the irrepressible pop chorus of "Somebody." Sales figures may point to 1991's Waking Up the Neighbors as the peak of Bryan Adams career, but the songs from Reckless will most certainly prove to be his lasting legacy.
(amg 9/10)

Bryan Adams [1983] Cuts Like A Knife

[01] The Only One
[02] Take Me Back
[03] This Time
[04] Straight From The Heart
[05] Cuts Like A Knife
[06] I'm Ready
[07] What's It Gonna Be
[08] Don't Leave Me Lonely
[09] Let Him Know
[10] The Best Was Yet To Come



amg: After the indifference which met his first album, Bryan Adams reportedly considered naming this sophomore release "Bryan Adams Hasn't Heard of You Either," but thankfully, the soon-to-be mega-star settled for the less offensive Cuts Like a Knife instead. Side one of this album is simply perfect. "The Only One," "This Time," and the title track are mid-paced melodic rockers with drop-dead choruses and hooks; they set the mold for most of Adams' finest and biggest hits. Though it rocks a little harder, "Take Me Back" is just as radio-friendly thanks to its use of female back-up singers, and the fantastic "Straight Through the Heart" is Adams' first of many great ballads. Side two opens with a few misfires, but recovers soon enough thanks to the gutsy guitar of "Don't Leave Me Lonely" and the rather saccharine (but still good) ballad "The Best Was Yet to Come." Adams would finally achieve chart-topping perfection on his next release Reckless, but Cuts Like a Knife comes pretty close.
(amg 9/10)

Bryan Adams [1981] You Want It, You Got It

[01] Lonely Nights
[02] One Good Reason
[03] Don't Look Now
[04] Coming Home
[05] Fits Ya Good
[06] Jealousy
[07] Tonight
[08] You Want It, You Got It
[09] Last Chance
[10] No One Makes It Right



amg: With its crystal-clear production, courtesy of Bob Clearmountain, You Want It, You Got It is state-of-the-art rock & roll of the post-Bruce Springsteen era: the guitars rev up, the bass drum is deeper than a well, the vocals are nasal and punky. The songs don't have the craft or commitment of Brian Adams' peers/competitors — Springsteen, Tom Petty, John Mellencamp — but you may not know it for the first few spins, just because the sound is so hot and infectious, and by then it may not matter. Actually, this is a much more enjoyable record in many respects than the rock & roll assembly line products Adams constructed once he hit the arenas. As it was, with this one, he was on his way. All he did later was take this approach and make it slicker.
(amg 7/10)