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Review: Ringo Starr: Liverpool 8

About.com Rating 4

By Robert Fontenot, About.com

Of course, like Pepper, the concept comes and goes. But Stewart wisely creates a much broader canvas for Starr to paint on: not content to soothe the ears of those in the Adult Contemporary waiting room, he aims for true pop classicism instead. The result may be Ringo's most thoroughly satisfying album -- his Seventies commercial zenith was an era where fun aced sonic perfection, but the broad landscapes of Liverpool 8 (so named because of his return to the city in 2008 to celebrate its crowning as this year's European Capital of Culture) and the overriding concept itself make his incessant self-celebration, for once, not oppressive. He actually sounds like he's coming to terms with something, not just giving Fab Four fans a stroke.

Ironically, Starr made his name as just that sort of gladhanding entertainer, so 8 also works on the surface as another upbeat, "peace and love" Ringo album. Perhaps no other modern pop artist would write a song about tough love and then spell it T-U-F-F. Besides, "Pasodobles" is a fun day-trip tour of Latin music (trendy: again, no slouch he when it comes to playing to the marketplace), and the closing singalong "R U Ready" addresses itself to none other than the Grim Reaper. Perhaps only Ringo Starr could go to his death in such a jolly manner; the pleasant surprise of Liverpool 8 is that he sounds more relevant and inspired, less like a doddering old fart, than ever. And you can even get it as a USB wristband. Take that, Radiohead!

Tracklisting

  1. Liverpool 8 4:49
  2. Think About You 3:40
  3. For Love 3:49
  4. Now That She's Gone Away 3:02
  5. Gone Are the Days 2:49
  6. Give It a Try 3:26
  7. Tuff Love 4:33
  8. Harry's Song 4:00
  9. Pasodobles 4:17
  10. If It's Love That You Want 3:06
  11. Love Is 3:52
  12. R U Ready 3:59
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