There is always something faintly daft about AOR when you try and explain why it works. Big choruses. Bigger feelings. Songs about old flames, broken hearts and memories that refuse to stay buried. But the truth is, when it is done properly, none of that matters. It just lands. And on “Take Two,” Generation Radio mostly get it spot on.
The all-star line-up certainly does not hurt. Produced by founding members Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts and Jason Scheff, formerly of Chicago, the record once again finds the band mixing AOR and West Coast polish with just enough Nashville in the blend to stop it sounding like a museum piece. Steve Ferrone steps in on drums, while Tom Yankton and Chris Rodriguez help give the whole thing a warmth and class that runs through the album.
Opener “Montana Sky” sets the tone beautifully. It is AOR mixed with country, and the chorus is just about perfect. More than simply a strong start, it feels like a benchmark for what follows. “The Melody” is exactly that too, all warmth and familiarity, the kind of song that seems to tap directly into memory. It feels welcoming, soft around the edges and instantly recognisable, even on first listen.
That sense of universality is what makes a lot of “Take Two” work. “These Days” has that everyone’s-got-one feel to it, built around the sort of loss and longing that country and AOR have always done so well, while “Maybe Monday” proves that songs for the broken-hearted do not need to be overblown to connect. Like Paul Rees wrote in his recent book on AOR, the secret is always in the songwriting, and that is true here too. These are simply strong songs, albeit with a little Nashville dust on the boots.
Not everything hits as hard. “Grass Is Greener” is a bit too overtly pop and a shade too corny to really convince, especially if you are not naturally wired for that sort of romance. And “Love History” may well leave you wondering why music this polished can still veer so close to schmaltz. But then “Last Night’s Whiskey” comes along and resonates far more deeply, carrying that lingering sense that maybe, just maybe, she will come back.
It is also worth noting that this is not an album entirely made up of originals. Generation Radio lean into covers that already shine in their live set, and if you are going to take on classics, you had better make the damn things good. “Here I Go Again” absolutely works, though it feels closer to the glossy 80s version than the earthier original spirit. “You’re The Inspiration” is exactly the sort of song this band were born to play, while “I’m Alright” injects a welcome burst of energy and fun.
The late stretch is strong, too. “For A Soldier,” with its theme of PTSD and mental health, is probably not what many people were expecting here, but it is one of the album’s real highlights. And “Hate This Heart” closes things out with that familiar thought that some people never really leave us, all delivered with polish and class.
So yes, “Take Two” has its softer and sappier moments, and no, it will not convert those who break out in hives at the word schmaltz. But when it clicks, it really clicks. Generation Radio might have called this “Take Two,” but this is one sequel that more than earns its place.
RATING: 7.5/10
