Remembered for his 80s hits, “The Breakup Song (They Don’t Write ‘Em Like That Anymore)” and “Jeopardy,” which went on to become one of the first concept videos on MTV, Greg Kihn surely cut a swatch for his pop-rock sound. Touring with Journey, the Rolling Stones and pretty much a ubiquitous presence back in the day, Kihn and his band were at the top for quite a few years. Now the Greg Kihn Band is back with their first album of all new material in 21 years, Rekihndled.
“The Life I Got” has a solid and catchy riff, a slick bass, and Kihn’s edgy vocal. He turns in a sweeter vocal on the mid-tempo ballad “Anthem.” The message here, as it is for a lot of these 11 songs, is Kihn cautioning about knowing your place in the scheme of things while letting your wisdom sink in. And Kihn should know because he’s a guy who has mined his advantages beyond making music as a top-rated DJ and an award-wining novelist. It is good though to see him back making music with his startling tight band.
“Tell Me Something Good” has got that “Jeopardy”-like funk to it, with Robert Berry’s bass upfront, while “Big Pink Flamingos” is a jumper and “Brian Police,” with its infectious backing vocal, just pulls you in. From first being signed in 1973 to the legendary Beserkley record label to his popularity in the 1980s, to the present, Greg Kihn still manages a singular recognizable sound and can write punch rock songs all day long. It’s no wonder Rekihndled rekindles love for all that is the Greg Kihn Band.
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
