Maniac Redux Well Done
4
By Phara0h
It's unfortunate when someone like A.E.V. takes the time to comment or review music on iTunes and takes the approach of "I hate this kind of music therefore it's awful". Ad Hominem attacks are always a bad idea. In the case of the Michael Sembello retake Maniac, reviewer A.E.V. has missed both the point and the mark.
As a re-interpretation of the '80s classic, the 2003 release of Maniac on the album entitled The Lost Years demonstrates the maturation of Sembello as an artist. One doesn't get to say they've worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Barbara Streisand and Michael Jackson if they aren't bringing something substantive to the effort.
Sembello is well traveled in the studio and around the world. Hearing the re-take on his widely known synth-pop (Grammy winning) track, turning it into a lush ballad filled with flavors of Herbie Hancock and Wes Montgomery is a real treat for nostalgists. The true and only flaw would be the mix, and perhaps the choice to go without live drums. Never a fan of drum machines for anything other than dance music, I do feel it was a mistake to back up the beautiful guitar licks with the stuffy sound of highly compressed midi drums and other percussive touches.
Nevertheless, the romantic sensuality of the arrangement shines through, and Sembello's vocals are spot on. So, while it may not be someone's cup of tea, this effort turns out well for Mr. Sembello and is be quite interested to here his contemporary spin on a fee other offerings he's worked on. Nice work Mike. Thank you for putting a smile across my face 30 years after the first encounter with your infectious music.
