Roll With The Punches

Bryan Adams, deep into his sixties, still turning out ten-song rock records like it’s a trade, which it is. The title track comes out swinging and most of the rest doesn’t, which the song titles will tell you before you drop the needle. Life Is Beautiful. Love Is Stronger Than Hate. A Little More Understanding. This is a man who has made his peace and would like to tell you about it.

How’s That Workin’ For Ya? is the one with some teeth left, and it’s better for it. Will We Ever Be Friends Again closes things on a quieter note, which suits him now.

Nobody needs this to be Reckless. It isn’t, and it isn’t trying to be. Ten songs, nothing stretched past its welcome, a guy who still likes the job. That’s enough.