Break Away Angel

I've been a Nils fan since the mid 70's, including Grin. I've come to expect 2 things from a Nils album: Strong songs with good lyrics that are honest and well writen and unique guitar playing that doesn't rest on it's laurels, that improves over time. This album meets those expectations."Putting Out Fires" and "Without You" are gems in my book. The groove and guitar work on "Fires" kicks ass, one of the most unique songs Nils has ever recorded. "Open Road" and "I Found You" are great songs also. His guitar playing just gets better and better, his solo's more focused than in years past. It's a unique album, I can't think of another album he's recorded that sounds like it. No bad songs, some just stand out, some blend in the mix. Check out the mp3 samples and you tube videos and come to your own conclusion. If you're a Nils fan, definitely a must-have album.

This one caught me by surprise - Beautifully crafted and extremely enjoyable - Certainly different from his early work (which I love) but artistically it's equal and, in places, ranks with his very best work.

It's true, this isn't the angry intense electric Nils we've come to know and love, but it's a great album nevertheless. Anything with Skunk Baxter on it (ok, only on one tune) can't be all bad after all. If the idea of mellow Nils bothers you just keep playing Crooked Line over and over. Hmm, I think I might go do that now...

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I couldn't help not writing a review about Breakaway Angel, if nothing else, to raise the stars average a bit.Although it may not be rich in the kind of gritty rockers or stunning solos that you may know and expect from Nils, Lofgren still puts out here a great set of songs and definitely adds another notch on his belt as a songwriter and-yes-singer.Probably more akin to the great Pop for the early Sixties-Dion at his peak comes to mind- than Crazy Horse's glory days, Nils churns out a bunch of beautiful songs showing that his guitar can have a range unlike many others and that he can write songs that can reach your heart straightaway and with plenty of romantic depth.Stand-out tunes and proof of what I claimed are "I Can't Fly," "All I Have To Do Is Dream," "Without You" and the stunningly beautiful "Heaven's Answer To Blue."All in all, an album that continues to make a case for this guy's brilliance and may further explain why gods like Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen have chosen and benefited from having him in their bands.

This album sounds unlike anything else Nils has ever made, and the results are mixed. He puts aside the electric guitar for the most part and concentrates on his acoustic playing, which is exceptional and makes for a nice change of pace for long-time fans like me. And although Nils mostly plays acoustic, the other instrumentation is quite diverse, employing both electric and acoustic instruments with often-creative approaches. More than half the tracks feature a harp, and no, I don't mean harmonica. The sound is refreshing, and it works wonderfully on the album's best track, the opener "Puttin' Out Fires". But the songwriting is inconsistent, and on several tracks the arrangements are overly sugary, as if he were trying to imitate Dan Fogelberg at his drippiest. Most glaring example: "Love A Child". I liked about half the cuts, but the ones I didn't like, I REALLY didn't like. Highlights include "Crying Tonight" (best soloing on the album), "Driftin' Man", "I Found You", and "Seize Love".

Nils Lofgren new album 'Break Away Angel' is a masterpiece in waiting. The muscianship on this album is supurb and along with the production make this an instant classic. Although not as heavy as his last album 'Damaged Goods', 'Breakaway Angel' has better crafted songs and a better atmosphere to it. Songs like 'I Found You', 'Tears Ain't Enough' and 'Without You' are songs you could class as being radio friendly, whilst songs like 'Driftin Man', 'Cryin Tonight' and 'Open Road' would be great in a live setting, especially in an acoustic form. 'Open Road' is very reminscent of the work Bruce Springsteen undertook on Nebraska, not only stylistically, but also in the production of it. Of the ballads 'Heavens Answer To Blue' could also be a hit at the moment as it is very similar to Dianna Kraull's 'Cry Me A River'. The lyrics on 'Break Away Angel' are full of the usual heart and spirit Nils Lofgren is famous for and show a man only getting better at his craft of song writing. Do yourself a favour by buying this album.

I had to write this after seeing the derisive comments from 1 or 2 others. This CD, while different from "typical" Nils, is outstanding from start to finish. It is softer, more sensitive, filled with superb musicianship and simply the best work he's every done.This is the result of the maturation of a truly talented artist. Those who don't get it, are stuck in a rut wanting to simply here the same riffs over and over or can't stand diveristy of stlyle. Either way, anyone with an ear for greatness, will find it here.

Ok so I am a reasonable fan of Mr Lofgren and I was very disappointed with this release but after some listening have changed my view so I include my original review followed by an alternative!"I love his brand of soft rock as delivered on I came to dance, Night after Night, Night Fades Away and Cry Tough and I have seen him recently in concert where the problem should have been evident to me......that Nils seems to have lost his electric guitar! This album is entirely acoustic, in fact it really sounds like unplugged versions of some fully recorded album with a full electric band...unfortunately this is the only version. It`s so laid back that it wouldn't disturb a lounge full of sleeping pensioners if it was played at full blast, and did I mention that it is also very slow tempo. I mean some of the slow songs on the album are actually the faster ones because there are a couple that are so slow that they are at about 60bpm. This is a seriously laidback album of crooning middle of the road songs in a country (pedal steel evident!) and jazz style. There are NO vaguely rock oriented or even up tempo pop songs here at all apart from perhaps the first one. Where he does do a bit of fretboard magic it is rather uninspired acoustic jazz noodling that goes nowhere and adds little to the song. With some effort and complete rearrangement and kicking up the tempo a bit these songs could be made to work as they do have potential but on this album they sound like half hearted acoustic demos. So to go back to Mr Lofgren in concert last year - he stuck to his acoustic guitar which sounded OK but frankly he is not a killer acoustic player then for 2 songs he strapped on his electric and led us in a killer version of Neil Young's Rocking in the free World and played some blistering guitar.....aaarggh why oh why be so bland and ignore your gifts! So avoid unless you like the Carpenters....slowed down.....and without the melody."Ok I was a bit severe as actually this is a delightful whimsical acoustic and gentle series of songs delivered in a very low key way. The theme is mostly of rather poetic and sensitive reflections on love and older age. Yes it is slow but hey all the better for late night smooching. I should note that it seems very well recorded. In summary if you like the softest of soft rock with jazzy acoustic guitar and romantic crooning then this is for you. If you like the earlier Nils stuff then avoid!

It arrived on time and when I played it is was as good as I remember; really lovely to listen too. Thank youPauline

Great album from a great musician

I must admit to a great deal of bias, i like Nils Lofgren style of playing, He has a great history and he cut his chops playing for the Boss ...Springsteen so that really gave him a lot of polish. His early band GRIN shows where he hit the market and how he initially started to earn his chops, he was good even back then but even when he was playing acoustic guitar in a solo act he played the axe for everything the instrument had in it...This disc BREAKAWAY ANGEL is again a super effort by NILS and he manages to put every ounce of his pedigree into this live performance. This is a worthy addition to your CD collection and should be a proud addition for you to spin for company during a dinner party or after the big game when you are celebrating that big win....Spigomars

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