Break Away Angel

This one caught me by surprise - Beautifully crafted and extremely enjoyable - Certainly different from his early work (which I love) but artistically it's equal and, in places, ranks with his very best work.

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I've been stuck on this album since receiving it. Full of great songs, especially "Putting Out Fires", "I Found You", "Cryin' tonight" and "Open Road". His treatment of the Everly Bros. song "All I Have to Do is Dream" is just perfect, such a great vocal interpretation, tugs at my heartstrings. I can't stop listening to it.

Nils Lofgren new album 'Break Away Angel' is a masterpiece in waiting. The muscianship on this album is supurb and along with the production make this an instant classic. Although not as heavy as his last album 'Damaged Goods', 'Breakaway Angel' has better crafted songs and a better atmosphere to it. Songs like 'I Found You', 'Tears Ain't Enough' and 'Without You' are songs you could class as being radio friendly, whilst songs like 'Driftin Man', 'Cryin Tonight' and 'Open Road' would be great in a live setting, especially in an acoustic form. 'Open Road' is very reminscent of the work Bruce Springsteen undertook on Nebraska, not only stylistically, but also in the production of it. Of the ballads 'Heavens Answer To Blue' could also be a hit at the moment as it is very similar to Dianna Kraull's 'Cry Me A River'. The lyrics on 'Break Away Angel' are full of the usual heart and spirit Nils Lofgren is famous for and show a man only getting better at his craft of song writing. Do yourself a favour by buying this album.

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I've been a Nils fan since the mid 70's, including Grin. I've come to expect 2 things from a Nils album: Strong songs with good lyrics that are honest and well writen and unique guitar playing that doesn't rest on it's laurels, that improves over time. This album meets those expectations."Putting Out Fires" and "Without You" are gems in my book. The groove and guitar work on "Fires" kicks ass, one of the most unique songs Nils has ever recorded. "Open Road" and "I Found You" are great songs also. His guitar playing just gets better and better, his solo's more focused than in years past. It's a unique album, I can't think of another album he's recorded that sounds like it. No bad songs, some just stand out, some blend in the mix. Check out the mp3 samples and you tube videos and come to your own conclusion. If you're a Nils fan, definitely a must-have album.

I had to write this after seeing the derisive comments from 1 or 2 others. This CD, while different from "typical" Nils, is outstanding from start to finish. It is softer, more sensitive, filled with superb musicianship and simply the best work he's every done.This is the result of the maturation of a truly talented artist. Those who don't get it, are stuck in a rut wanting to simply here the same riffs over and over or can't stand diveristy of stlyle. Either way, anyone with an ear for greatness, will find it here.

This album sounds unlike anything else Nils has ever made, and the results are mixed. He puts aside the electric guitar for the most part and concentrates on his acoustic playing, which is exceptional and makes for a nice change of pace for long-time fans like me. And although Nils mostly plays acoustic, the other instrumentation is quite diverse, employing both electric and acoustic instruments with often-creative approaches. More than half the tracks feature a harp, and no, I don't mean harmonica. The sound is refreshing, and it works wonderfully on the album's best track, the opener "Puttin' Out Fires". But the songwriting is inconsistent, and on several tracks the arrangements are overly sugary, as if he were trying to imitate Dan Fogelberg at his drippiest. Most glaring example: "Love A Child". I liked about half the cuts, but the ones I didn't like, I REALLY didn't like. Highlights include "Crying Tonight" (best soloing on the album), "Driftin' Man", "I Found You", and "Seize Love".