Figure In a Landscape, John Waite's (Babys & Bad English) solo debut for Gold Circle Records, represents a wonderful collection of material that John has written during the past few years with longtime collaborators... more » like Anthony Krizan, Shayne Fontayne, Glen Burtnick and Will Jennings. From up-tempo rockers to heartfelt ballads, this enticing album has many moods.« less
Figure In a Landscape, John Waite's (Babys & Bad English) solo debut for Gold Circle Records, represents a wonderful collection of material that John has written during the past few years with longtime collaborators like Anthony Krizan, Shayne Fontayne, Glen Burtnick and Will Jennings. From up-tempo rockers to heartfelt ballads, this enticing album has many moods.
mskarmar | ocean view, de United States | 09/19/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am not a regular fan of John Waites. I wouldn't even make a tape of his earlier albums (1980's) because, yes they had some great songs on them, but also a lot of filler. This cd is a different story. Good songs (a few great), great voice, and stripped down music. The album has a good feel to it. When I first heard the song 'Key to Your Heart' this summer, I had to have the album. Why this song was not the top selling, most played summer song I will never know? This is his best song ever (solo or group). He even sings a beautiful version of a Vince Gill song ('Whenever you come around') and makes it his own. All of these songs are sung with a deep conviction that oozes out of the speakers. This cd will make me buy his greatest hits cd next. This is smooth pop for adults...and anyone else who has good musical tastes!"
Almost great
kristof vandommele | flanders | 01/04/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I let this cd pass when it came out a couple of months since I'm not a fan of John Waite's solo-work (too much pop-music to me). I don't even own most of his solo-records. But Figure in a Landscape reminds me of his work with The Babys and Bad English. Less bombastic than Bad English and more up-to-date sounding than The Babys. To me, this album ranks up with his best work: Head First (Babys) and both Bad English releases."
Sentimental John Waite
susumu-5 | Japan | 12/24/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Listening to these songs in this album reminds me of the days when I first recognized John Waite. It was around 1984 and at first listen I didn't feel the song was so much special. It was not as catchy as my favorite rock hits at the time such asgEye Of The Tigerh (Survivor) or gJumph (Van Halen). But as I repeatedly heard this on the radio I found myself hooked to the song and gMissing Youh eventually became #1.It is true that he doesnft rock hard as Bad English releases, but it is a fine album. If you like vocal featured rock such as Rod Stewart, Don Henley, Richard Marx, Eric Clapton you will love this CD for sure. The album is something like gInside Jobh (Don Henley) and gOut of Orderh (Rod Stewart) mixed. It is very sentimental album overall and might take some time to get to you until the lyrics of the song touch your heart. "Always Be Your Man" standout track from this album is one of my best songs of the year. "Fly" now featured on radio is fine as well. Upbeat tracks "Key To Your Heart" "Thinking About You" "Special One" are also good. "Godhead" "NYC Girl" will find adult contemporary stations' heavy rotation.Recommended for wide range of pop rock and classic rock fans."
A NEW JOHN WAITE
susumu-5 | 08/26/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not exactly John Waite's biggest fan, but I really enjoy listening to his music. I was turned on to "Missing You" when I was younger, and I saw him live on the Journey tour this summer, so I was real anxious for this CD to be released. It was definitely worth the wait and the money! It's one of those albums that you may be a little weary about at first, but after a few listens, the songs really seem to grow. "Thinking About You," "NYC Girl," and "Special One" are my favorites from the album, but all the songs are at the same calibur, and there are no filler tunes. Some may complain that the disc is too ballad-heavy, but I think John is exploring a different direction, and this album is a great relaxer. Also, I think Waite is one of the most underrated singer/songwriters out there today, and I'm really hoping that Figure in a Landscape will bring some attention to how talented he really is. I bought the CD the day it was released, and it hasn't stopped playing since. Thanks for giving us some great new music, John!"
John Waite - Figure this to be a Masterpiece
Greg | Sydney, Australia | 12/19/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Waite, in my opinion, has always been a step ahead with his music, which could mean that he may miss the boat on the ride of current popularity but he writes and records music true to himself and not what is "vogue" for the "day" or the "minute".
Figure in a Landscape, his new album, is definately in that catagory. It is a mixture of of mid-western pop/rock/country, heart-rendering ballads and pop/rock, an unusual blend, but one that seems to indeed blend.
Waite's strong line, are his ballads, it's what has made him his hits previously and this album has a number of soulful one's , written and sung in a way that you can only help but feel the pain.
That's not to say that John Waite can't power it up with the best of them, the track "Godhead" adhere's to that fact.Great album for any John Waite die-hard fan and for those who remember him from the "Missing You" and Bad English days, well, he has been making great music since then as well. Do yourself a favour and buy his recent, previous albums, "Temple Bar" and "When You Were Mine" . These albums are different again, but they showcase John's gifted song writing and great rock/pop voice.
But, for now...go out and buy Figure in a Landscape..its a Masterpiece."