As the drummer for Badfinger (and its predecessor band, the Iveys), Mike Gibbins demonstrated that he was a slightly above average drummer who seemed to owe more to the Keith Moon school of drumming than Ringo Starr, to whom he was more often compared. Also, with Badfinger, Gibbons was able to demonstrate a mellower side, writing some of their most beautiful tracks (check out "My Heart Goes Out" from 1974's Badfinger, and "Cowboy" from Ass). On this, his debut solo offering, Gibbons attempts to put the ballads on the back burner and rock out. The main problem with this CD is that it's a standard mid-'70s rock album, unfortunately not all that well written or played. The album is full of elementary rhymes ("Sue Me" is a main culprit) and standard love songs ("Time In," "Overdue," "Please Please") that aren't so much bad, just boring and indistinguishable from each other. The highlight is the beautiful ballad "Picture of You," which brings to mind Badfinger's glory days, and also shows what Gibbons is capable of writing. This is very much a solo project, with Gibbons handling the majority of instruments (assisted by Rick Warsing, who is able to make some of the songs interesting with his guitar solos), writing, and production. Perhaps outside input may have been helpful. Overall, a disappointing affair, but fans may enjoy hearing this outing. Perhaps Gibbons is better served as a member of a band, where he can contribute the odd song of two. On this release, it is clear he is not able to maintain an entire album on his own.
© Aaron Badgley /TiVo