50 St. Catherine's Drive Album Review

When you here the name Bee Gees, whats the first thing that comes into your head? If your an average listener, probably Staying Alive. And that makes sense that track is one of the most well known tracks ever written, but it wasn't the only thing the Bee Gees accomplished in their career which spanned over five decades. Robin Gibb, one of the lead singers, made himself a solo career over the years, with his last album being released in 2014, 2 years following his death from cancer. Over time the Bee Gees music devolved into adult contemporary stuff that all sounded similar, and naturally, this carried over to his solo work. So the question is does 50 St. Catherine's Drive bring back their excellent 60's work? or does it better represent their 90's stuff?

I love the Bee Gees and Robin Gibb. They are my favorite band ever. But it is clear when something isn't as good as it could have been, and this is album is exactly that. It is simply mediocre. It does what almost every other Robin Gibb album had done prior. With no surprises. 

The first single, Days of Wine and Roses, is a slowly paced heartbreak song, talking about the topic of "eat, drink for tomorrow we die". Its generic and does nothing interesting. It uses the same adult contemporary riffs and styles without anything to identify itself. Even its theme is overdone and dull. If you like this genre, then you will probably like the song, but in the grand scheme of things its kind of like a fart that doesn't smell. Its just kind of there and gone and you won't remember it in 10 minutes. 

Now this song actually does have a kind of interesting theme. Basically, it is a tribute song to Alan Freeman (obviously). I mean, I say its interesting, but musically it does nothing different then the first single. Its still just a heart felt "passionate" song about someone he cares about. There is nothing else to say about this track that I haven't already said. 

Mother of Love is the final single on the album and it is definitely not good. The writing of this track (especially the vocal melody) does not complement his voice at all. The chorus is the biggest offender here. I can't stand the chorus of this song. The lyrics, generic, uninteresting, and sound like every other sad song with "passion". It is just another adult contemporary song, but this time it is lazily written. 

The style is the same on almost every track, but unlike on Everybody Else is Doing it so Why Can't We? which took its style and evolved it from track to track, as well as altering the vocals and having the sound itself be unqiue to every track, this album is just a complete bore that sounds the same. It is a by the numbers adult contemporary snooze fest. That does nothing to set it apart from others, except for the fact that Robin Gibb is singing it. 

I love the Bee Gees, I love Robin Gibb, and I actually Love this album, but the issues with it are apparent, and need to be exposed. It is sad that it was his last pieces of work because he won't ever get the chance to improve himself. Hopefully the genre as a whole can evolve past these cliches I have mentioned. and be unique, hopefully. 

Final Verdict 

4/10

Sub-Par