Music

Bob Seger

Face the Promise (Capitol)

A A A Comments By Darryl Smyers Thursday, Feb 8 2007

At 60, Bob Seger should be enjoying his later years riding his Harley across Michigan, content to live on his reputation as one of the best rock singers and songwriters of the '70s and '80s. Despite the automobile industry's incessant use of his music, there is no denying Seger's notable past. Whether it be rockers ("Ramblin' Gamblin' Man"), reflective ballads ("Night Moves") or country ("Against the Wind"), Seger has parlayed his Everyman persona into a multimillion-dollar career and a well-deserved spot as one of the true icons of American music.

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Face the Promise, Seger's first release in more than a decade, neither diminishes nor enhances his blue-collar integrity. Featuring some characteristically yearning ballads, the disc is Seger in fine form, revealing just the right amount of tough tenderness to songs such as "Wait for Me" and "The Answer's in the Question" (a lovely duet with Patty Loveless). Ironically, it's on some of the rockers where the new effort wavers. Sounding as if he actually has to prove he can still stand toe-to-toe with younger artists, "Wreck This Heart" and the title track are shadows of Seger's prior prominence, empty riffs devoid of the kind of authenticity that permeated his best material.

Yet for the majority of Face the Promise, Seger's honest representations of heartland concerns continue to hit the mark. Even Vince Gill's "Real Mean Bottle," an unlikely duet with Kid Rock, somehow manages to work despite the testosterone overload. Seeing that the majority of new cuts are ballads, Seger would do well to embrace the country/folk that best suits his weathered voice and current level of maturity.

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