Led by brothers Matthew & Gunnar Nelson, Nelson brought Rick Nelson's sons a lot of exposure in the early 1990s. Like that celebrated '50s icon, Matthew and Gunnar went for a polished, boy-next-door image -- wholesome sex symbols, if you will -- but their music didn't sound anything like their father. Instead, this debut album boasted a glossy, '80s-sounding blend of corporate rock and arena rock (sort of White Lion meets Loverboy meets Bon Jovi, minus the "bad boy" element). Rock critics tend to deplore and rail against albums like After the Rain, but say what you will -- "I Can Hardly Wait," "Fill You Up," the chart-topping "(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" and other melodic tunes are both catchy and likable. Granted, this type of pop/rock can easily become bloodless and mechanical, but the Nelson siblings come across as sincere. For all its slickness, After the Rain has heart.
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