Stephen
'Livin' My Dream' is the second album of Bai Bang after they're back again in 2009 and sixth album to date since 1988. This is a mix of early Bon Jovi style, sweetened up with Roxette's poppish hooks, and baked with Def Leppard harmonic vibe, so even though it's a new release, what you get here is basically an 80s formula, intended to bring back the nostalgic feel of the decade.
'We're United' elevates the mood with a fast-paced rhythm and it's effective to serve as the album opener. 'Livin' My Dream' intro reminds me to GNR's 'Chinese Democracy' and the chorus is highly addictive and packed with a neat guitar solo. 'Come On' and 'Tonight' are paying homage to Bon Jovi while 'Gonna Have It All' is a ballad that similar to Def Leppard's massive hit, 'When Love and Hate Collide'.
'Stay' is unique, they combine the New Wave attack on the rhythm, just like the debut, and twisted it with a beautiful melodic rock chorus. I love how it's done, risky but necessary to spice things up. 'Rock On' is slow, poppish, and shows the audience some nice harmonic vocal on the chorus while 'Rock It' (can't they find another title?) is a nice power ballad. 'Die For You' is awesome and one of the finest track on the second half.
Bad thing about this album is the poor production. It seems that AOR Heaven is giving a freedom for each of their bands to handle this part, but Bai Bang failed on this department. Lack of variety and extremely generic song titles might push away some potential listeners, but let me tell you this - if you're in it for a fun and familiar ride to the past, old hooks, old style, 'Livin' My Dream' won't disappoint.
80% and could have been better with a nicer sound output, shame on it, next time they should ask Dennis Ward or Chris Laney to help engineer the album!