Chase, The - Brooks, Garth (Cassette 2002)

In the 1990s, Garth Brooks was the biggest star in the world. His records were sure fire hit's and despite his critics, Brooks went from strength to strength. His Previous album "Ropin' The wind" in 1991 was one of the very few albums in history (at that point) to debut at #1 in the US top 200 pop album chart.

His follow-up was "The Chase" also debuted at #1 in 1992 and that's not big suprise. Like every Garth Brooks album, this one is a little different to the one before it, but Brooks never compromises himself, he only sings what he wants to sing, he is not controlled by a record label or a producer.

This album begins with the wonderful "We shall be free", a moving song about world peace and how we should love and respect one another. The song, written by Brooks and Christian singer/songwriter Stephanie Davis, is one of the albums best cuts.

"Somewhere other than the night" is a soft rock-pop ballad that still found it's way onto Country radio, not that this is a knock, it is a really heartfelt song and the lyrics are certainly in the country meld. ("somewhere other than the night/She needs to hear I love you/Somehwere other than the night/She needs to know you care").

"Mr. Right" a song solely penned by Brooks, is a fun novelty about a guy trying to get with a girl on any accounts. Even though he say's he wants to commit to her and her to be his wife, he is nevertheless happy to accept a one night stand ("I'm Mr. Right, or Mr. Right now").

"Everynow and then" shows Garth at one of his best moments. It's a song about even though you're happy with what you've got, you still can't help what would have happened if you had taken another road in your life. Sadly, this song wasn't a huge hit and Brooks no longer sings it in concert, which is a great shame, because it would go down a storm in a live show when emotions are running high.

Brooks' cover version of the Patsy Cline top 20 hit "Walking After midnight" certainly adds to the classic original, with a very different arrangement. More Elvis Presley than Patsy Cline, not that that's a bad thing.

Garth's cover of Little Feat's "Dixie Chicken" is even better than the original. While Brooks is obviously best at Country, he's just as good at Rock as anyone else.

"Night Riders Lament" is an old fashioned country ditty with plenty of yodelling by Mr Brooks, not that this should put anyone off, because it works great.

"That Summer" was one of the albums big hit's, Brooks wrote about a summer love affair.

"Face to face", the albums last cut, is about date rape and also about facing up to your problems in life ("Bad as it wasn't, wasn't it a little bit better, dealing with it face to face").

When this album came out it got mixed reviews, some said it was a great recording, others said it was the beginning of the end for Garth Brooks (which of course it wasn't!)

Overall "The Chase" by Garth Brooks, was a superstar in his prime. Not his best album though, but an excellent album nonetheless.