FM – "Thirteen"

It's a heart-warming testament to the longevity of AOR that a band like FM has managed to resurrect themselves in the current century and sustain a career on sounding like a tad harder, more streamlined version of early-'90s Toto. Stuff like that happens, you know the world's not all bad.

Although I do miss the harder edge of their magnum opus, "Tough It Out" ('86), their cleverly titled 13th album doesn't fail to deliver on any level in and by itself. We're talking grandiose feel-good rock that sounds like hopes, dreams, and carefree urban summer days.

In fact, the best thing about "Thirteen" is the production. I'll be the first guy to admit that I'm a complete fucking slut for neon keyboards and spandex backing vocals, and this album's got it galore, along with juicy leads and an all-round stadium-sized atmosphere.

Not all the tracks here are memorable by far, but still: The world would be a much better place if all music sounded like this.

Not all the tracks here are memorable by far, but still: The world would be a much better place if all music sounded like this. Another noteworthy quality in this regard are Steve Overland's impressive vocals. Even after more than 40 years in rock'n'roll, the man still delivers both the rough, soulful hard rock wail and the tender, honey-dripping croons with equal passionate sensitivity. Take notes, David Coverdale!

FM are best when they're giving it that extra notch to rock out, as in the country-bluesy "Love and War", the Whitesnake-y riff fest "Every Man Needs a Woman", and the obvious car stereo pumper "Just Got Started". Speaking of which, "Turn This Car Around" sounds like Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" if it had been written by Desmond Child and played by Bon Jovi back before they got boring.

"Turn This Car Around" sounds like Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" if it had been written by Desmond Child and played by Bon Jovi back before they got boring.

I was a bit more excited during my first listen than the second one, though. Because FM are solely playing by the tried-and-tested book here. And even though that's a safe way to success, it also makes for less thinking outside the proverbial box. There are people who would call this album boring, and I would understand why, because there are zero surprises or risk-takings of any kind here.

That doesn't mean it's bad; far from it. It just means you'd probably have to be a big fan of the band and/or the genre in order to really get it. I will say, though, that if you're not into grand rock music like this, you have failed as a human being, and you should be ashamed.

So, if you're the kinda person who actively seeks out bands who sound like Foreigner, or anything that culturally ignorant children (pleonasm) label "dad rock", you can easily tune in to FM's latest long-player for a spin or two. On its own premises, it's perfectly flawless.