Bryan Adams - 'Roll With The Punches'

Rock Metal Machine
Oct 3
2 min read

I really liked ‘So Happy…’ but ‘ …Punches’ is absolutely fantastic and certainly a contender for my year-end Top Five.

A giant silver boxing glove hovers over a lone figure on a foggy, dirt path. Text: Bryan Adams, Roll with the Punches. Mood is surreal.

It’s been over three years since Bryan Adams last studio record – 2022’s ‘So Happy It Hurts’ – but he’s remained busy with two years of touring plus the two three-disc Royal Albert Hall live albums in 2023 and 2024. Already back on the road to support it, late August saw the release of his sixteenth album, ‘Roll With The Punches’.

The opening title-track is a classic Adams rocker which actually has an extended intro that didn’t feature on the video (it came out earlier). The initial riff has a little sauce to it that randomly reminded me a bit of ‘(I Wanna Be) Your Underwear’ before settling into a top-drawer head-nodder with a cracker of a chorus (the slow-mo punching video is pretty amusing). ‘A Little More Understanding’ also has some naughtiness in its guitar riff and salacious guitar/keys solos (the nightclub video reminds me of my youthful late nights). The filthy three are rounded out by ‘How’s That Working For Ya?’ which has a grinding slower-paced riff, some dirt-inducing mouth-organ and tinkering keys.

‘Make Up Your Mind’ breezes along through its catchy guitar and chorus, plus a mid-song breakdown that’s “Nice!” inducing (‘When You’re Gone’ came to mind), while the fabulous ‘Never Ever Let You Go’ has a delightful melody and glorious sing-along chorus; the video features Elizabeth Hurley, a rollercoaster and lovely colouring. ‘Be The Reason’ has an opening that would have fitted a ‘Cuts Like A Knife’ track before a skipping verse and uplifting chorus.

It wouldn’t be Adams without a few slower numbers. The mouth-organ and acoustic guitar give ‘Love Is Stronger Than Hate’ a slight Bruce Springsteen vibe, and ‘Life Is Beautiful’ is a builder that adds more power to the instruments and vocals as it goes. Near the album’s end, ‘Two Arms To Hold You’ is a classic Adams mellow, heart-felt slowie and closer ‘Will We Ever Be Friends Again’ is a ‘Heaven’ type power ballad with some scintillating guitar soloing.

I really liked ‘So Happy…’ but ‘ …Punches’ is absolutely fantastic and certainly a contender for my year-end Top Five. Throughout the album, there are flourishes everywhere that evoke memories of songs past from across his career. Adams sounds as good as ever, he’s backed by an amazing band (including The Almighty Keith Scott), and he’s released another extremely infectious album. Bryan Adams may be rolling with the punches, but his new record is an undisputed heavyweight for 2025.

Reviewer: Dave Scott

Label: BAD

Genre: Rock

Issue Reviewed In: 112

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