• Artist: Bryan Adams
• Rating:
• Styles: Pop/Rock, Rock & Roll, Album Rock
• Track Picks: "Cuts Like a Knife," "Straight from the Heart"
• Similar Albums: The Rare Recordings 1965-1968, Early Years, Vol. 1, The Secret Policeman's Other Ball: The Music, Elvis Sings Leiber & Stoller, The Best of Three Dog Night, Tonight I'm Yours, Uh-Huh, Dire Straits/Making Movies, Savoir Faire (A Compilation), The Best Bits, Branigan

Review

After the indifference which met his first album, Bryan Adams reportedly considered naming this sophomore release "Bryan Adams Hasn't Heard of You Either," but thankfully, the soon-to-be mega-star settled for the less offensive Cuts Like a Knife instead. Side one (for those of you who still remember vinyl sides) of this album is simply perfect. "The Only One," "This Time," and the title track are mid-paced melodic rockers with drop-dead choruses and hooks; they set the mold for most of Adams' finest and biggest hits. Though it rocks a little harder, "Take me Back" is just as radio-friendly thanks to its use of female back-up singers, and the fantastic "Straight Through the Heart" is Adams' first of many great ballads. Side two opens with a few misfires, but recovers soon enough thanks to the gutsy guitar of "Don't Leave Me Lonely" and the rather saccharine (but still good) ballad "The Best Was Yet to Come." Adams would finally achieve chart-topping perfection on his next release Reckless, but Cuts Like a Knife comes pretty close. ~ Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	iTunes	Composers	Performers	Time
The Only One		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(3:14)
Take Me Back		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(4:49)
This Time		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(3:18)
Straight from the Heart		Bryan Adams	Bryan Adams	(3:30)
Cuts Like a Knife		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(5:16)
I'm Ready		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(3:58)
What's It Gonna Be		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(3:39)
Don't Leave Me Lonely		Bryan Adams, Eric Carr, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(5:09)
Let Him Know		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(2:56)
The Best Was Yet to Come		Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance	Bryan Adams	(3:04)

Credits

Bryan Adams (Guitar), Bryan Adams (Piano), Bryan Adams (Guitar (Electric)), Bryan Adams (Vocals), Bryan Adams (Vocals (Background)), Bryan Adams (Producer), Bryan Adams (Main Performer), Lou Gramm (Vocals (Background)), K. Scott (Vocals (Background)), Alfa Anderson Barfield (Vocals (Background)), Bob Clearmountain (Vocals (Background)), Bob Clearmountain (Producer), Bob Clearmountain (Engineer), Mickey Curry (Drums), K. Davies (Vocals (Background)), Mark Doyle (Vocals (Background)), Mike Fink (Cover Design), L. Frenette (Vocals (Background)), Tom Mandel (Organ), Tom Mandel (Synthesizer), Keith Scott (Guitar), Keith Scott (Guitar (Electric)), Keith Scott (Vocals), Keith Scott (Vocals (Background)), M. Simpson (Vocals (Background)), Dave Taylor (Bass), Dave Taylor (Vocals), Dave Taylor (Vocals (Background)), Jim Vallance (Bass), Jim Vallance (Guitar), Jim Vallance (Percussion), Jim Vallance (Keyboards), J. Wesley (Vocals (Background)), Alfa Anderson (Vocals (Background)), Lynn Robb (Cover Design), Jeffrey Kent Ayeroff (Art Direction), Jim O'Mara (Photography)

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