Lots of admiration for Bryan Adams, still releasing albums, experimenting a bit, and touring like there's no tomorrow. Roll with the Punches is his sixteenth studio album, and it's a good one, maybe not perfect, but honest and in line with what he is doing.
As usual and in line with the recent part of his discography (he is done with the 50s phase, apparently), the album is short and sweet and it features 10 songs for 35 minutes of music. Opening with 2 good singles like the title track and Make Up Your Mind, the album has modern elements, but it's also very Bryan, like A Little More Understanding, with a classy arrangement and good solos, very retro. Also unusually long, compared to the last part of the discography.
I love the vibes of How's That Workin' for Ya (Bryan plays the Harmonica), and Be The Reason, very vibrant and there are, of course, some ballads, well, many ballads. Life is Beautiful, Love is Stronger than Hate, Two Arms to Hold You (not my favourites, despite good lyrics and the usual impeccable performance by Bryan), and the final Will We Ever Be Friends Again, my favourite, among all.
I would have given up a couple of ballads for more uptempo moments, but Roll with the Punches is overall a good album, amazingly performed and produced by Bryan Adams, with a contribution of his old partner Mutt Lange on Keyboards and backing vocals.
Rating: 65/100
Top tracks: Make Up Your Mind, A Little More Understanding, How's That Workin' for Ya.