Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

There is always a kind of unbalance to the world when you hear a bunch of songs for the first time at a gig several months before the album that they appear on is unleashed on to the conscious of the listener. It does always feel as though it is the wrong way round, a state of confusion that perhaps prepares you for the peace of a listen at home already acquainted with the dynamic, but which robs the actuality of sentiment and core memories later down the line as expressed in a group setting designed to inflame the senses and have the listener roll with every emotional punch available.

It is a conundrum of feeling that applies to the new album from Bryan Adams, Roll With The Punches, a release of tension that sits firmly within the back catalogue  of the Canadian’s illustrious career, and yet, because for many they will have heard parts of the album played out in arenas across the summer out of context in a way, the punches, whilst enjoyable, arguably, and regrettably, lose some of their passionate venom, some of the rock and roll that makes the musician such a master of his craft.

Ballads and rock anthems, it is the staple, the direction of the man, the audiences love and expect it, and rightly Mr. Adams does not let them down, but it is to the emotional quality of the writing which always gives the performer his idealism and his inspiration the perfect work out, and this new release is ever faithful to that pedigree.

Roll With The Punches is full of rippling muscle, it has been working out in the existential gymnasium of song writing and chorus development; and it does not suffer from the extremes, it is heartfelt, unpretentious, but still the nagging doubt remains that it suffered, albeit enthusiastically from being known out of context.

Tracks such Never Let You Go, Love Is Stronger Than Hate, How’s That Workin’ For Ya?, the finale of Will We Ever Be Friends Again, and the album’s title track of Roll With The Punches combine with ease, a workout in the ring against the opposition of Time, one that Bryan Adams bobs and weaves with elegance and determination, and one that will see him earn a shot at the title of best supported Canadian act once again.

An album of pleasure, heard out of context perhaps, but one that still has the insight of fascination to move it along with grace and powerful riffs and lyrical cool. Roll With The Punches is drama and theatre in one boundless concerted fight with Time.

Ian D. Hall