About Time For A New Album

It's About Time by Kenny Loggins

When I bought the cd, I popped it into the player without reading the song lyrics or dedications. I wanted to hear the music with no preconceptions or expectations. And truth be told, the songs took me surprise. I asked myself "what is this"? With It's About Time Kenny has spread out in many different directions; a little bit rock, a little bit country, some blues, some reggae and some gospel. It's an album that's difficult to categorize as a collection of music, however, it makes perfect sense in the context of Kenny's career.

Kenny Loggins has been sharing his music with us for over thirty years, and throughout his career, his fans have been able to grow with him. Through his music, Kenny shared with us his youth, his dreams, and his struggles. At times he was the partying rock and roller; at other times the singer of soulful ballads. He's a lover, a husband, and a father; and he has shared what all these roles have meant to him through his honest lyrics.

In It's About Time Kenny still has a youthful outlook, he still has vibrancy and insight, but now, he also shares with us a certain maturity. As a husband and a father, Kenny has responsibilities, and this album shares with us the joys and challenges of real life. It talks of obligations and sacrifice with a strong dose of nostalgia and hope for the future. Kenny seems to be telling us to just live! Life has ups and downs - take it as it comes. I like the simple honesty of this album.

1) The first track is the title track. It has a gospel feel to it that just made me feel happy and hopeful. This song made me dance and smile.

2) With This Ring is a love ballad. I listened to this song and thought to myself that this will be the summer of 2004 wedding song.

"I'll be your lover
I'll be your friend
I'll be the summer breeze that never ends
For the rest of your days
I'll be the road that takes you home."
It's a quiet and pretty love song that is sweet and honest.

3) Alive 'N Kickin' is a country song that took me by surprise after a quiet love song! I'm not a country music fan, and this is not my favorite on the album, but it has a kicky beat and I think it will appeal to many. I'm not sure why it is sandwiched on the album between two love ballads, however - it seems out of place.

4) I Miss Us is another beautiful love ballad. This song is about grown up love. In it Kenny talks of his undying love for his wife, and his love for the life that they built together, but admits to a sad nostalgia over the carefree life that they shared before building a family. He talks of the sacrifices people make for family and how wonderful that it, but that he still misses the romance and selfishness of early love.

"I know all that life has given' us
Is way more than enough
But darlin', I can't help myself
I just love you too much
Cause baby, most of all
I Miss Us"

5) The One That Got Away is the song on the album that made me cry. It's a song written for one of Kenny's son's from his first marriage. It's a song of love and of regret; of apology and hope. For all the parents and children whose relationships suffer after divorce, this song will speak with brutal honesty.

"Though you and I are distant
Don't ever think I didn't want you
Or miss you every day
No matter where life takes you
Know that I'll still be waiting patiently
For the day that you've forgiven me
My son
The One That Got Away"

6) Brothers is a song about friendships and relationships. It's a song about appreciating the people in our lives. I don't think this is a song that will get any radio play. I don't think that this is a song that will ever be considered a hit, but I like it for its quiet and understated message.

7) This Is How My Song Goes is about life and about believing in yourself. In its message and its style it seems to be a sister-song to the title track. Like "It's About Time" the song has a gospel feel that can't help but get under your skin.

8) Doin' It Right has a reggae / Caribbean feel to it. I like the beat and find myself swaying with the music, but, I'm at a loss to tell you the deep meaning behind this song. Maybe "doin it right" and swaying to the music is enough.

9) The Undeniable Groove starts out slow and soulful, and builds into something that is jazzy and bluesy. I didn't think that I liked the song, but as it played, it grew on me. It's just sort of fun.

10) No Other Voice is the last song on the cd, and it's a quiet old-fashioned love song. It reminds me of some of Kenny's early love songs, but it's about a more grounded mature life. It's so nice to hear love songs that aren't about the excitement of new love, but that speak of the comfort of proven and lasting love.

I like this album. It's not my favorite collection of Kenny Loggins' music, but it has some new songs that I enjoy.

People who are not already fans may be confused by this album, and not know how to categorize Kenny and his music. If you are new to Kenny's music, try listening to some of his older albums first - it really is about time that you discovered Kenny.

Long time fans will appreciate this album and understand it in the context of his career. If you are already a Kenny Loggins fan, treat yourself to this album. I don't expect that these songs will earn a lot of radio play or will emerge as hits, but I am glad to add this cd to my Kenny Loggins' collection.