Stephen I remember reading somewhere on the net few years back that there ain't no chance the original line-up of Mr.Big will be back together after all those disputes between members, but here we are, fast forward to 2011, they licked up what they spitted and presented us with a record full of 90s rockin' hooks that made them famous, not to mention the additional acoustic live album and worldwide shows, and even though the songs aren't as strong as what it used to be, this is still a pretty damn fine album.

Eric Martin still sounds spectacular, his youthful age-defying vocal is one of the highlights, but Mr.Big is a balance band, each member provided an above-average performance that's very much enjoyable. 'Undertow' and 'All The Way Up', these two singles are definitely the best tracks here. They seem to always know how to expertly pick songs that are casual-fans-friendly, catchy, and has potential to become concert regulars, but never underestimate the other brilliant songs such as 'Stranger In My Life', 'I Won't Get In My Way', and 'Around The World'.

Too bad on some songs, they focus mainly on the technical display and not the songs, and 'Nobody Left To Blame' and 'Once Upon A Time' are the perfect examples. 'American Beauty' and 'I Get The Feeling', also the bonus track, 'Unforgiven', also sounds average to me. However, I need to mention that 'Still Ain't Enough For Me' and 'As Far As I Can See' are growing better and love these two, even though it's not really an immediate songs. The production is also acceptable but don't know if it's only me, it sounds like they're playing inside an empty dusty barn, a bit drowny on the vocal part, but wasn't a problem at all, it just gives me a different listening atmosphere.

'What If' is a nice comeback and to see the band in a great shape together is a relief, at least in the few years to come, we still have high hopes for two or three more albums with a usual compilation and live albums throw in the middle, followed by some concerts. My single complain is that irritating flying pig on the front cover, don't know what were they thinking, but remember : never judge a book by its crappy cover!

Coffin Joe Mr. Big is probably best known for their two greatest hit singles to be with you & wild world. If you lived in the nineties, your ears where definably plaqued to death with these two songs. Now, why the hell dig up Mr. Big after all those years? Well, 'cause there's more than meets the ear. The band got overlooked in the whole Seattle explosion, and they still are to this day. Mr. Big plays a highly 80's influenced hard rock/glam metal with great hooks, and radio friendly choruses. They do a great job balancing their "radio friendly" sound with intense guitar solos & shredding - hell even bass solos makes their way into the musical universe of Mr. Big. Bump your head opens with the uptempo hard rocking "Colorado Bulldog", a full blown ass kicker of a song which features really great bass playing by Billy Sheehan. It's easy to understand why, he is considered one of the best hard rock bassists. Next track "Price you gotta pay" is nearly as good, a solid rock song with a good 80's stadium rock feel to it. Third track is the albums first ballad, & while "Promise her the moon" is good craftsmanship, it's really a bit of a let down, if you are into the more intense and rocking parts of Mr. Big. Not a bad track, but I'm just not into radio-ballads, so here I'm biased. Luckily we get treated with another great track "what's it gonna be", that really sounds like a big 80's rock-fest. Fourth track is the infamous "wild world" - again, it's simply not for my ears, but hey it was a descent hit single, so it's probably just me, that doesn't get it. Following "Wild World" is "Mr. Gone", which is an uptown melodic rocker, that is followed by the slightly better track "The Whole World is Gonna Know". After the two solid rockers, it's of course time for another ballade...hmm.... it's ahem....another radio-friendly- kiss-your-girl-and-wave-your-hands-and-lighters-track... guess that says it all. The string of ballads is broken by another catchy rock song "Temperamental" a really solid track on the album. After that it's ballad time again with "Ain't seen love like that" - I'm just gonna skip that track, and jump to the last on the album "Mr. Big", which is another good mid-tempo rock song that slowly builds into a guitar-fest overdrive. Now, all in all Bump you Head is a really solid hard rock album, but unfortunately theres just too many ballads on it. If you are looking for some of the best hard rock out there, and you can live with the ballads, you should really pick up Bump Your Head. If you are lucky you can probably find it in the bargain bin.

Don't get surprised if you are blown backwards by the musicianship - 'cause these guys can really rock!

Coffin Joe ...What if pigs could fly?...

Ok. first off I have to admit, the only thing I know about Mr. Big is they had a huge hit with "To be with you" in 1991. That was around the time, where I was a fat kid dreaming about making out with the hot girl of our class, and all the boys and girls wanted to look like they just walked off Beverly Hills 90210 wearing 501's and white sneakers. I get the same 90's flashback listening through Mr. Big's latest record "What if".

Every track is nicely produced, got nice hooks, and that good old 90's nice rock n' roll attitude. And maybe everything gets a little too nice along the way. The album lacks some edge or roughness to it, it's just too damn radio friendly, and that's a bit of a shame, because these guys can really play their ass off

The tracks that really stands out are Still ain't enough for me, I won't get in my way & Around the world. Especially Around the world showcases the talent Mr Big's got with some really intense bass and guitar work.

Overall it's a solid rock album, with really great guitarsolos and riff's on it, and definitely something you could listen to in your car. So if you want to timetravel back to the 90's, and you don't have access to a DeLorean fully equipped with a flux condensator, Mr. Big is a great alternative. If you DO own a DeLorean please look me up, 'cause I would kill for a ride.

Stephen What makes this record personally memorable to me is that this is the first rock tape I bought along with Scorpions' "Crazy World" back in 1992. I bought it solely because of the mega-hit "To Be With You" that had been heavily played on TV and radios. My first impression is that I'm quite shocked to listen to tracks like "Daddy Brother" or "Alive And Kickin'", that's very loud and noisy but there's something great about this album that makes me want to play that tape over and over again until it’s worn out. I was twelve back then, and here I am, playing this disc again 20 years later in my car this morning, and it's still as great as ever as it was in 1992.

"Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy" is an explosive opening with Paul Gilbert ripping his guitars with an electric drill, the technique he had started using back in his days with Racer X (which also later applied by Eddie VH in 'Poundcake'). "Alive And Kickin" has the punchy chorus and Eric Martin sounds awesome here, one of my fave singers with many capabilities. The commercial hard rock of "Green Tinted Sixties Mind" blasted with the quick-tap that young guitarists always want to learn to play. "Lucky This Time" is a blissful midtempo ballad, a great track on par with the other hits, "Just Take My Heart" and "To Be With You". Those last two are timeless classic, songs that I still like to strum with my acoustics in the living room.

The other tracks are also very strong, such as "Voodoo Kiss" with an infectious guitar licks and that 70s Aerosmith boogie; "My Kinda Woman", a song that Tesla should have recorded in 1987; the lazy bluesy "A Little Too Loose"; and the groovy "Road To Ruin". Perhaps only "Never Say Never" is the weakest but that track alone still good enough to compete with the other average band's strongest track.

Putting aside the priceless nostalgic value, "Lean Into It" is definitely have the power to stand the test of time and to claim the status of best album Mr.Big ever made. The virtuosity of each member is undefeatable, the songwriting aspect is top notch, every little thing about this album just can't go wrong. A true five stars!