Mr. BIG – Lean Into It [Japanese Remaster SHM-CD LTD Release +4] Out Of Print

MR. BIG‘s breakthrough album “Lean Into It” was repeatedly requested on this blog in its Japanese Remaster SHM-CD version, the only release of this record at the moment of its release including 3 exclusive bonus tracks. A Limited Edition now out of print.

The opener kicks you right in the nuts, one of the best Mr. Big tunes ever, “Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)”. Basically spoofing the whole ‘How fast can you play?’ question, Big’s creativity make this speed rocker a standout.
“Alive and Kickin’” is melodious hard rocker with soulful vocal and killer chorus, then “Green-Tinted Sixties Mind” is classy and cool poppy with an incredible retro melody and adventurous guitar arrangement.

“Lucky This Time” is a pearl written by talented Jeff Paris, driven by Billy Sheehan’s rumbling bass groove, followed by the dynamic “Voodoo Kiss”, which ended side 1 of the original album.

The catchy “Never Say Never”, co-written by Canada’s own Jim Vallance is another winner, and “Just Take My Heart” is one of the greatest ballads from the melodic hard rock genre, to showcase Eric Martin’s velvety vocals.
“My Kinda Woman” shred, and kicks the adrenaline back in. Paul Gilbert’s “A Little Too Loose”, bluesy and fun, it is one of the high points of this record.
“Road To Ruin” shows off the vocal harmonies of the guys, all good singers in their own right. and it’s another creative arrangement.

Then, of course, the album ends with “To Be With You” which, hard to believe, was actually a really creative song too… before it got played to death.
Listening to it now after many years, “To Be With You” is the typical rock ballad, but at the time of this release it was very different from the kind of ballads that other bands were putting out, except possibly Extreme. It has a sparse, vocal-oriented arrangement, an acoustic guitar solo, and no drums to speak of.

Enough… you do not need more info about “Lean Into It”… it’s a classic, an almost perfect melodic hard rock album from the superb musicianship & songwriting to the top notch production.
And this Japanese remaster done by Isao Kikuchi is exceptional, with even more presence on this SHM-CD. We have as well 4 bonus tracks.
Needless to say; A Must Have

Warner Music Japan ~ WPCR-13463
【ＬＴＤ ＳＨＭ－ＣＤ】

01 – Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
02 – Alive And Kickin’
03 – Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
04 – CDFF – Lucky This Time
05 – Voodoo Kiss
06 – Never Say Never
07 – Just Take My Heart
08 – My Kinda Woman
09 – A Little Too Loose
10 – Road To Ruin
11 – To Be With You
12 – Love Makes You Strong (Japanese Edition Original bonus track)
SHM-CD Bonus Tracks:
13 – Alive And Kickin’ (Early version)
14 – Green-Tinted Sixties Mind (Early version)
15 – To Be With You (Reggae version)

Eric Martin – lead vocals, handclaps
Paul Gilbert – guitars, backing vocals
Billy Sheehan – bass, backing vocals
Pat Torpey – drums, percussion, backing vocals

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/WPCR-13463
.