Album Review — Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams — So Happy It Hurts

“So Happy It Hurts” is the 15th studio album from Bryan Adams and first since 2019’s “Shine a Light”.

The album starts with the title track which is upbeat but not heavy. The big “Mutt” Lange backing vocals are here over mostly acoustic and less distorted electric guitars. It’s a fun song and a good start to the record.

“Never Gonna Rain” starts with a bass line that runs through the track. The album definitely has a positive vibe to it and this is a good example of that.

“You Life Me Up” reminds me of the “Waking Up The Neighbours” record. There is a nice mix of different eras on this record. This album has been billed as a return to his early days but this definitely isn’t a “Reckless” reboot.

“I’ve Been Looking For You” has that fifties rock sound that “Get Up” featured. This one checks in at two minutes and doesn’t really do much for me.

“Always Have, Always Will” is a combination of 90s Adams with a reggae beat. It’s not a ballad but it’s a slower track with bigger production.

“On The Road” sounds like more recent Adams, stripped down in the verses but more production in the chorus.

“Kick Ass” features John Cleese of Monty Python fame with an extended spoken intro that leads into the track. It reminds me of “Kids Wanna Rock” but never really delivers the “ass kicking” that’s promised. It’s a good track but it never really gets as heavy as it could.

“I Ain’t Worth Shit Without You” has a little more teeth to it and what I’ve been looking for. It’s closer to what I’d consider classic Bryan Adams sound and we get some quality Keith Scott guitar.

“Let’s Do This” is a mid-tempo ballad that features some more of those big backing vocals.

“Just Like Me, Just Like You” is another simple short track that’s just over two minutes and has that fifties sound to it. I’m not sure why Adams keeps going back to that well but here we are.

“Just About Gone” is a stripped back straight ahead track. The guitars have the distortion turned way down to give that fifties sound again, especially in the solo. I do wish Adams would turn the distortion back on and let Keith play a little more.

“These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life” ends the record with a building a track that takes some time to get going. It’s closer to classic Bryan Adams but never really gets all the way there.

Bryan Adams certainly hasn’t lost anything off of his voice. He can still bring it when he wants to. But for some reason he just doesn’t. There are moments when you hear something to remind you he can still do it, but they are fewer than on “Shine A Light”.

I am a huge Bryan Adams fan and rank his 80s and early 90s records among my favorite. I was hoping that after some promising tracks on “Shine A Light” we’d get back to that sound but “So Happy It Hurts” never really gets there. The record does have a positive vibe to it but it’s far from a return to the “Reckless” era as it is being billed.

It’s not a bad record at all, it just falls short of expectations. It’s going to take a few more listens to get past those expectations and just take the songs for what they are. But I’m left wanting more from this one.

85 out of 100

Track Listing

1. So Happy It Hurts *
2. Never Gonna Rain
3. You Lift Me Up
4. I’ve Been Looking For You
5. Always Have, Always Will
6. On The Road
7. Kick Ass
8. I Ain’t Worth Shit Without You *
9. Let’s Do This
10. Just Like Me, Just Like You
11. Just About Gone
12. These Are The Moments That Make Up My Life

*Best Songs