Thanks - I had to work and couldn't be home to hear it or capture it. Much appreciated.

Nice to hear that Richie still has an awesome voice!!!!

My copy of AOTL just fell on the doormat and now it's my time to finally hear all the songs, except the single, for the first time. Listening an album when it's released, in my opinion, is how it should be, without having an opinion based on leaked stuff. That only spoils the fun of a new album.
Really no clue why so many butchered the album already before it was even released. So far I really like what I hear. Yes the production is loud at times which isn't my favorite way of producing but it does not annoy me. I like the fact that the bass-guitar is easier to hear then on other albums I've heard recently. A quite solid album in my opinion and a good listen.

Update:
Listened the whole album now. A good solid album but still am dissapointed this is all he could come up with after such a long break from solo-work. Still, the album isn't bad apart from Sugar Daddy perhaps.

I salute you,
TS

I found the chorus to be VERY catchy. Moreso than any of the others from that album. I'm not sure I'd agree about it being the least commercial - at least if you cut it down a bit. The melody itself is VERY strong.

**** yeah, he played Stranger.


I think I like that live, acoustic-ish Every Road better than the studio version.

And Richie sounds great.

Yeah, he should take vocal lessons more often to keep his voice in shape :)

He knows how to write a hook, I do agree, but as far as radio airplay would go it sounds more Stranger-era than anything else. It would have made the album more real and should have stayed.

Aloha !

I don't really get the fascination with Forgiveness Street. I cringe everytime I hear him go to the bridge with that key change and semi guitar solo and skip it nowadays. It's like with most songs of the album; the first minute sounds interesting but then it leads to more of the same and doesn't really expand into a full song. And the lyrics don't exactly save the songs either with supposedly deep lines that are nothing but vague metaphors trying to capture a deep thought yet failing miserably. I mean, corner of compassion, shattered streetlight, sidewalk desperation, unlocked house..We get it, you're on a street. It's as if he's explaining it to a Sesame Street audience.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

You're right. The lyrics were obviously the reason it didn't make the album; and thankfully Richie had enough worthier tracks such as Sugar Daddy in the vaults.

Well observed.

The whole concept of the album feels quite forced. Yes, we know you've been through a lot of shit Richie but portraying your feelings through tired metaphors isn't going to move us.

Aloha !

Sugar Daddy actually has better lyrics than Forgiveness Street and a better sense of melody as well. It goes somewhere, has a start, a middle and an end. There are no silly metaphors about sugar cubes, coffee cups, Starbucks and whatever else to make clear he's a sugar daddy.

Salaam Aleikum,
Sebastiaan

The "Deluxe" version of the album has been available on itunes for the past couple days. The only extra song to my knowledge is Backseat driver. Don't know why it was released earlier on itunes. Maybe this is common knowledge, I haven't been following the threads too closely.

Anywho - I still haven't listened to the album except the new song (And the snippets of a few of the songs released months ago) and if "Every Road" is one of the apparent better songs from the album, then I am very doubtful on me actually enjoying this album. Who knows.

I like how the deluxe version and the standard version are both the same price. Sure it's a one song difference, but then what's the point of even having the standard edition for sale?

Just picked up the disc from one of the HMV's in London. Wasnt in the new releases section although there are a few big albums out which probably explains that - Killers new on and MJ's Bad 25th Anniversary is out too.

Seven years gone is the stand out for me, up there with the best from his first two albums and probably the only one with real lasting appeal.

Pre-ordered from Amazon. They have only despatched it today and said it will be here on Friday. Pricks. :mad:

Is the album out earlier in the UK? In Germany it's not released until friday... and only available per download as of now.

Due out today in the UK

HMV in Leicester are still waiting for it !

If someone told me i could of got the CD today i wouldnt of preorded off Richies site. yes a Tshirt will be nice but i thought the CD was released a few weeks later than digital and with both copies in the Richie bundle i went for that...but i will buy backseat driver off iTunes tomorrow when i download the album!

It wasn't in Asda :(

I was hoping Amazon wouldn't have despatched so I could have cancelled but the cheeky swines did this morning, so I can't get it from HMV tonight and cancel.

Hoping it would make the top 40, as Undiscovered Soul crept in.

Sugar Daddy is second most popular on the album after backstreet driver on iTunes UK

'lol'


andi

Says enough about people's taste in my opinion. What a horrible song.
Doesn't fit on the album at all.

I salute you,
TS

Amazon always give themselves plenty of cover when they give a delivery date.

It'll be with you tomorrow or Wednesday, unless your postman steals it.

Hopefully so, just wish they had sent it out earlier to get here nearer the time as plenty of others manage to do.

Play.com sent mine on Friday and it didn't arrive this morning...so I'm hoping tomorrow.

Mine was dispatched from Play.com on Friday also, and mine thankfully arrived. Guess I was one of the lucky ones! :)

People who don't have the album yet, you can listen to it at Spotify already.

HMV near me didn't have it, might just order online as I can't even manage to go shopping until later in the week anyway.

Cannot buy this in a shop in Ireland unless you order it in.
Tried all weekend
Costing me €18 to order it in


Not happy!
And didn't want to order it online!

I don't see the fuss over owning the physical CD.

Go to Amazon or iTunes now and you'll have the album in minutes.

Maybe we are old fashioned but we want the whole package with booklet and everything. It's just not the same to download an album.

Until they start offering FLAC, it's not the same quality, not to mention having the booklet with lyric sheets and credits and other information. And with a CD you can copy it more easily into whatever format you do want, should you prefer lossy - but you still have the CD anyway.

The booklet doesnt have lyrics. Only pictures with Richie looking tough. There's hardly any information in it. It's a small digipack. The kind that damages the CD everytime you take it out or put it back.
I see you guys are still waiting on your delivery.
The Dutch website I bought it on has a good service; If you order an item before 10.30pm on one day you will receive it the next day. Very fast handling and shipping so a brilliant service!
Either way, don't get your hopes up for the booklet. I like digipacks but I hoped this would be a stronger one with more info and indeed, at least the lyrics, but no.

I salute you,
TS

Yup this...for Jovi / Richie I want the proper physical album.

Other artists am happy enough / lazy enough to download :)

No lyrics in the booklet? oh for fecks sake..

Nope. Only pictures with Richie being cool. Sorry buddy ;-)

I salute you,
TS

Amen, brotha! Old school. Just like it was before the world got small :)

I have just received info from Amazon UK that the “Aftermath” has just been sent to me and should arrive on Friday :D OMG, 14 years have passed and only a couple of days more before me.
I only heard Every Road and can’t wait for the rest. I don’t think I have ever been this excited for any album.
Finally, the time has come! Bring it on, Richie! Bring it on!!!! :)

Any writing credits?

Saw the CD in HMV last night- bit disappointed that it looked to be a card sleeve like a free single given away in a newspaper. Also, it wasnt anywhere near the new releases or the chart section, but under his name in the rock and pop section. Considering they have done very well in the other areas of promotion, its a shame to fall at the final hurdle of actually getting the product out there and in view, but this is where the donwloads can come into play. Should have some midweek figures tomorrow