In Review - Chicago XXX

Here's my latest 'review' - not of a movie like Da Vinci, but of a new record out from the group Chicago. Yes, that's right, Chicago. Formed in 1967 (good year), these guys owned the airwaves in the 1970's with their unique rock-n-roll sound that included a horn section. At one point in time I owned a copy of the first 11 Chicago albums. During the 1980's they sort of fell into a rut of recording sappy little love-ballads and their horns were all but neutered. For the last 10 or 15 years very little has been heard from Chicago, though their former label has managed to continue pumping out compilation albums and holiday recordings.

That is, until last month. Chicago XXX (as in '30', not a parental warning level) hit the stores. The first new studio recording from the band in forever, with this record, on their own label, the guys return to classic Chicago sound and style.

Produced by Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flats, I think the world of this disc. It flat out entertains! The songs are well written, and the horn and vocal arrangements remind me of why I loved old Chicago recordings. I highly recommend the record to those of you who remember the Old Days. Buy it. Play it loud! Enjoy.