Yes, the man who some people still have nightmare about thanks to that Robin Hood song is still going strong. Flying is another ballad that really could have been recorded at any stage of his career.
All the ingredients are present and correct: the croaky voice, the Phil Collins-style crashing drums, the bland production courtsey of Mutt Lange and, presumably because Christmas is approaching, bagpipes and some strings. If you close your eyes you can almost see the lighters in the air.
After 20 years in the music business, Bryan Adams obviously has millions of loyal fans who will flock to buy this. But just because it's popular doesn't mean it isn't souless, plodding and predicatable. It is.
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