Mick Jones and Lou Gramm for the last time under the Foreigner Banner ...

After 92iger comeback ("Very Best And Beyond") and some successful tour, the duo Jones / gram went to work on her 9.Studioalbum "Mr.Moonlight". Meanwhile, her longtime and influential manager Bud Prager had adopted. Also, the contract with Atlantic Records had ended and was found with Arista, which is a subsidiary of the Bertelsmann Music Group, a new label. No conditions for the "new" Foreigner - contractor. September 1994 is then so far, with "White Lie" is the pre - Single Foreigner's in the retailer shelves. The first impression for me as hardcore - Fan: Foreigner sound like 70's material adapted to modern times! On October 31 1994, the album will be given later. The European edition will be opened with the said "White Lie". No hard reef's à la Mick Jones. Instead, a playful guitar intro that leads on to the catchy but not melodic theme. Soft synthesizer sound of the 80's had. The pop rock Title likes and may have come from the albums "Foreigner" or "Double Vision". During the discussion of the two band heads it was Lou Gramm's condition, to orient themselves back to the early phase of the band. Furthermore grams was allowed to have more influence on the songwriting and the first time involved in the production. The reshuffle of the rhythm section affects the course of the production also of something negative. The congenial duo Dennis Elliott / Rick Wills is the young very good studio drummer Mark Schulman replaces (later in Pink) and Gram's long-time friend Bruce Turgon (Black Sheep, Shadow King). The fleet pop ballad "Rain", processes the interpersonal crisis of the two, stomps in the usual style and also builds a bridge to previous material. One notices the reconciliation has compositional "miracle". Simple and sober, the very beautiful second single "Until The End Of Time" is intoned. While a rhythm program must initiate by some synthesizers, then loses itself but because of the extraordinary guitar Duane Eddy's managed a stroke of genius. Very nice harmony and melody turns. "All I Need To Know" bears the typical handwriting gram's. Here for the first time makes the lack Elliott's arrogant and simple drum game noticeable. Also takes Turgon's cold spot-on bass - playing the song the Foreigner typical atmosphere. The same applies to the sluggish Rocker "Running The Risk". But very powerful composition not punchy enough implemented. The cumbersome "Real World" turns out to be in his six and a half minutes runtime, the highlight of the album's. Great introduction to the percussion - Game Luis Enrique and the resulting later in strong guitar's Mick Jones. Lou Gramm gets its complete "Can" from. It really works! The instrumental number "Big Dog" at all times a little romp like rudimentary but annoying with the Time. Beautiful saxophone passages really dirty guitar solo and stomping beat be messed with geräusperten "Big Dog" interjections! On "Hole In My Soul" the same applies as in the above "All I Need To Know". The dissonance of the rhythm section are the rest of your ... It simply lacks the pumping driving energy of earlier days. With "I Keep Hoping" the band succeeds again goosebumps - ballad. The rough organ sound and the guitar accompaniment harmony with Gram's sensational vocal ending similar to "I Want To Know What Love Is" in the gospel-like background. One of the nicest and most inconsiderable works Foreigner's! The hard rockin '"Under The Gun" then leans back to material of the 80 at. Latest now you realize that you can hear a Foreigner album ;-) It follows the pop ballad "Hand On My Heart" which also simultaneously closes the album. The title is reminiscent of production technology to gram's solo projects and can also have a bit to miss the band typical whistle! Conclusion: The produced by Mick Jones, Lou Gramm and Mike Stone Album; can Productionwise miss the momentum. Drum and Bass sound a bit thin! With "Mr.Moonlight" ends fate conditionally cooperation Mick Jones and Lou Gramm under the banner Foreigner. Compositionally rejects you look at albums of the early creative phase, but is no longer so successful internationally. Here, of course, also makes the significantly reduced scope of the new label's noticeable from the musical zeitgeist to mention ... What is a must for Foreigner fans may be a little disappointing for casual listeners!