America (2) – Alibi

One of the numerous attempts to revive America’s career, 1980’s “Alibi” assembles a supporting team recruited among the best West Coast musicians, included Mike Baird, Lee Sklar, Steve Lukather and Timothy B. Schmit. From this premise we confront a very professional operation, to serve lighter material than previous work but extremely enjoyable. What is called “Our side” (the band’s choice for side A) is the strongest one and barges in with the hit candidate “Survival”, by shades of sunny californian colours painted with beautiful guitars and perfect vocal harmonies. “Might be your love” picks up the pace of a bit and the musicians’ interplay is captivating. “Catch that train” brings us back to their debut glory days and is the more substantial track so far. The inescapable slide to straight AOR arrives with the rhythmical “You could’ve been the one” and the emotional “I don’t believe in miracles” (one of their best piano driven songs).
“Their” side (the record company’s choice for side A) is where the band dangerously lowers its guard and collects the worst and most mannered pieces. It opens with “I do believe in you”, a radio friendly wannabe that yearns for a rock evolution best developed in the next number, “Hangover”, which possesses a tougher vibe but rocks repetitive without offering an incisive climax. “Right back to me” is the weakest track and seems that the band had a bit of a stall to come up with enough songs for the album. “Coastline” seeks desperately an emotional recovery and “One in a million” is just so contrived and syrupy to result quite forgettable.
“Valentine” indeed shows a vibrant slick uptempo rockabilly feel that could have found room into a commercially impeccable Shania Twain’s setlist, revealing the chart expectations the band had for the american market, where indeed the album flopped.