Artist: Boston Album: Walk On

Year: 1994
Duration: 0:0-1

Walk On: A Critical Review of Boston's Album

Boston is a rock band that has been making music since the 1970s. Their style incorporates elements of hard rock and progressive rock, with a strong emphasis on melody and harmony. One of their most famous albums is Walk On, released in 1994. This album received mixed reviews at the time and has been somewhat overlooked in the band's discography. In this critical review, we'll take a closer look at the album, its musical influences, and its unique qualities.

Walk On is an interesting departure from Boston's earlier albums. The band's lead guitarist and songwriter, Tom Scholz, was known for his meticulous production techniques, but on this album, he seems to have loosened his grip a bit. The opening track, I Need Your Love, has a raw, bluesy feel that is atypical of Boston's sound. The song features a classic rock riff and a catchy chorus, but it has a more improvisational, live-in-the-studio vibe than previous Boston tracks.

Another standout track on Walk On is Surrender to Me. This song features guest vocals from Sammy Hagar and a soaring guitar solo from Scholz. The song's lyrics, which deal with regret and lost love, are somewhat cliché, but the vocal performances and musical arrangement are top-notch. The song has a strong pop-rock sensibility, with a chorus that is both catchy and anthemic.

The most innovative parts of Walk On come from the band's incorporation of new technology. Songs like Livin' for You and The Masquerade feature electronic drum loops and sample patches, which were a departure from the band's classic rock sound. These songs are more experimental and dance-oriented than Boston's earlier material, but they still retain the melodic hooks and guitar work that the band is known for.

Despite these strengths, Walk On is not without its flaws. The album's middle section suffers from a lack of standout tracks, with songs like Still in Love and Stare Out Your Window failing to make much of an impression. Additionally, some of the album's lyrics are trite and predictable, with lines like I want you, I need you feeling like retreads of earlier Boston songs.

In conclusion, Walk On is a flawed but interesting album from one of the most iconic rock bands of the 20th century. Its incorporation of new technology and bluesier elements showed that Boston was willing to evolve its sound, even if it meant upsetting some longtime fans. While the album may not be as consistent as other Boston releases, it still has some great moments and is worth revisiting for anyone curious about the band's later work.