Eric Carmen: Winter Dreams

Section2:
Eric Carmen: "Winter Dreams"

"Winter Dreams"
Pioneer LDC Japan
Released January 1998
Japan-only release
RATING: ***

"Winter Dreams" is Eric's first solo album with not one song written all by himself. Two singles from the album did make the Japanese Top 60 singles: "I Was Born To Love You," written by Eric with Andy Goldmark, and "Someone That You Loved Before," written by Eric with Diane Warren. If you like Barry Manilow and Peter Cetera, you'll probably love these lush ballads. "Cartoon World" (by Eric and John Wesley Harding) is a terrific Paul McCartney-ish uptempo piece --- however, Eric should lose the "Twist And Shout" horn section (if only because it borrows too heavily from that song without credit). "Almost Paradise" --- why another remake of this song? I grant you that this is Eric's first studio version of the song, but I think the album would be stronger without it.

"Top Down Summer," another Carmen-Pitchford effort, should have been the follow-up to "Make Me Lose Control" 10 years ago --- pop radio has changed so much in the past decade, it's hard to say how the song would do now, though it is a very catchy, fun song that revives memories of "Pet Sounds" - era Beach Boys; I have to say, Eric sounds terrific as a vocalist on this track and through out the album. I just wish he would write his own lyrics again; Pitchford's lyrics have no depth and are overly simplistic at times, where Eric's own lyrics from past decades have been inspiring (for instance: "Sippin' on a scotch and soda/A shadow in the corner booth/So philosophic and drunk on grown-up truth" from "Nowhere To Hide" in 1977). "I Could Really Love You" reunites Eric with Raspberries guitarist Wally Bryson on a catchy Carmen-Pitchford collaboration that shows Carmen still has the potential to be the next Paul McCartney, even in his 50th year of life.

"I Wanna Take Forever Tonight" (Carmen-Goldmark) was a 1995 hit for Peter Cetera. I prefer Carmen's version, though I question the wisdom of covering such a recent song on Eric's first studio release in 13 years.

Then, finishing out the 11 songs on the album, there's two covers of classic songs. The Beach Boys "Caroline No" shows a real admiration for the original and gives a tip of the hat to Brian Wilson; it really shows an appreciation for Wilson's songwriting and for "Pet Sounds."

The other cover, a remake of The Left Banke's "Walk Away Renee," is absolutely lovely. It brings back memories of The Raspberries, and that's a good thing. It is a good album. Not great (I have yet to find anyone who rates it above his first two Arista albums), but not bad either.

Maybe, now that he has his feet wet again, Eric will create another masterpiece down the road. For now, this is a treat for fans of pop ballads and for anyone who loves a great pop vocal (Eric is one of the five best vocalists I've ever heard). For those of his fans, like myself, waiting for another power pop masterpiece, we're still waiting impatiently, but that doesn't mean we're not fans.Hopefully, we'll see that side of Eric again in the future; for now, this is a tasty treat for special tastes.

For another review: Popdude Sez: The Definitive Collection .