Absolute O'Brien

What can I say? This album is nothing what I would have expected it to be, and yet, better than I could have hoped for. It's not "Riff Sings", or "Cosmos Greatest 'Textbook Cases'". It's an entirely different entity, it is, perhaps, for the very first time-

Richard.

The songs range from cool jazz intonations, to a bit of country, rock, pop, and everything in-between.

The album opens with 'Incubus of Love' which most  O'Brien fans should know, it has seen just a few less  performances by Richard in the last ten years than 'The Time Warp'. A soft, silky voice accompanied by a cool sax. This song is very well put together, and a hell of a way to kick off an album.

It's Up To You is another M. Smith song, though the original version that appeared in the show was not sung by Richard, so this is a treat to anyone familiar with DY. A harmonica ties the song together throughout, and makes for an interesting sound that is hard to categorize.

Ain't That To Die For is a fabulous song. Beginning with a lovely acapella segment, the song progresses into a number that could have been part of a rat packer's set. Grab your vodka glass and snap along. :-)

One of my personal favorite songs, Fixation, is the story of a young lad and lass who just don't seem to realize that they're perfect for one another. I particularly like Richard's use of the "poor girl, poor boy . . . poor he, poor she" etc. Reminds me of John Lennon's "Love" in that it uses the repetition of simple phrases to really drive a point home.

The Dance of Love- The rhythm of this song is enough to make it a winner. However, the lyrics seem to have alot of syllables, and there are points in the song where it feels as though RO'B had to take in a DEEP breath and try to rattle them off quickly, which makes the song stall in sections for me. Overall, though, the lyrics and sound are good, and the low register of his voice is enough to keep any fan riveted.

One Hundred Dollars An Hour- Another prime example of an O'Brien lyric that you don't even really think about until you read JUST the lyrics. Only Richard could make such a song and get away with it. And after all, isn't that a good part of his charm? But, sadly, I must admit that this is my least favourite song of the album.

Rhythm of the Heartbeat- Different from it's incarnation in DY, Rhythm is a bit slower, and has a country feel to it. It's also missing the very opening section from DY,picking up with "I'm a sucker for a heartbeat". One of my favourite lyrics on the album, and a great song.

I've Been There Before- A sentimental sort of song witha standard chord progression, giving it a pop/country feel. Not originally one of my favourite tracks, I find Richard's vocal in it attracting me more and more, each time I listen. Definitely one to grow on you.

Running With The Noisy Boys- Most people when asked their opinion of this album have said it was "nothing like what they expected it to be". I think if any of the songs on AO'B are what I would have expected, based on Richard's other works, this one would be it. It is the only song on the album that carries the characteristic "O'Brien" sort of vocal, and while there's many good things to say for that, it does make this song stick out among the others.

I Will Always Hold You in My Heart- A nice slow jazzy tune, with a sentimental lyric. Richard's voice is particularly sweet here, and the lyrical imagery of the song is strong. A good one for headphones.

Angel in Me- Yet another song from DY. I think the taking away of many of the background vocals (most lines were echoed in the show) made a great improvement to the song, giving Richard's solo vocal more of a personal, one-to-one feel, with the backup singers adding strength to the words at the very end. It's the sort of song that makes you smile.