On A Day Like Today (1998) Review by Karl Watson

Although, Reckless is my all time favourite, this is my second favourite album and I also think it's the most (for want of a better word) complete BA album - meaning that all of the songs work SO well together. Some songs actually seem to lose some of their meaning or power when taken out of the album and put amongst other BA stuff.



Look at “When You're Gone” for example; on the album it’s an upbeat rockin’ song that is almost a breath of fresh air compared to the serious and down tone of some of the other songs. But put it amongst BA's other songs (on a best of or in the live set) and it's an annoying pop song. 

When they first played that song live with the trio, it was BA's new big hit, they rocked it up, and everybody loved it. Now, they've toned it down, the When You're Gone girl thing is getting soooooo old, and I nearly always skip the track when listening to a bootleg. 


The lyrics on this album are some of BA’s best. It feels like there’s so much heart, emotion and honesty in them, which is sometimes lacking in some of BA’s other lyrics. The guitar work is excellent, some quality riffs and solos from both Keith and BA.

The live version of “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” transformed the song to become a rival with “Kids Wanna Rock” as the most rockin’ song in the set. When I first read the song title “Where Angels Fear To Tread”, it sounded like it could be a gothic Metallica-esq song. Of course the actual song is the complete opposite. The opening strings by Michael Kamen are absolutely beautiful.

I was completely blown away by Chicane’s remix of “Cloud Number Nine” when I first heard it. Of course now it’s remembered as a cheesy pop song, and I wish for the love of God it would be taken out of the set list. However, when listening to it within the context of this album I still really like it. It’s added on at the end, so it doesn’t disrupt the flow. The original version works well within its place, but the remix brought so much life and energy to the song. 


Another point about this album - when it first came out some people complained that it wasn’t rockin' enough. I completely disagree, just because some of the songs have a slower tempo (e.g. “How Do Ya Feel Tonight”, “C'mon C'mon C'mon”), doesn't mean that they don't still ROCK! The strings on “How Do Ya Feel Tonight” and the backing vocals on both of these tracks are really powerful.



If I had to pick my top 20 favourite BA songs, I'm not sure if any of the tracks from this album would make the list, I just think it's a fantastic album. And one last thing - Bob Rock should produce EVERY BA album - he brings out the best in him. Imagine what he could have done with Room Service!?

Key Tracks:
Fearless
Before The Night Is Over

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