Cuts Like A Knife (1983) Review by Steven Stanley

As Bryan's learning curve continued to grow, his albums really blossomed and this became an album of complete quality. He really took what he did best from the previous album and went on from there. Rockouts on 'Fits Ya Good' were repeated on tracks such as 'I'm Ready' which in some cases had an extended version that didn't deviate too far away from 'Ain't Gonna Cry' in it's homage to rock awesomeness.

The ballads are really exceptional as well, 'Straight From The Heart' and 'The Best Was Yet To Come' dare I say it better than even 'Heaven'? It's certainly a photo finish. As most concert goer's know, it's a little known fact that Bryan wrote 'Straight' when he was only 18... it's cool he saved that gem for the 'Cuts' album instead of releasing it too early and ruining the production.

There isn't a song on here I don't like, every song featured could fit in today's setlists no problem. Even 'Let Him Know' would be a better acoustic rocker than half the new stuff, a real upbeat little tune with a lull in the middle for maximum audience participation... you laugh but it's a damn sight better than 'She's A Little Too Good For Me' (2004) or 'I'd Thought I'd Seen Everything' (2008), and with 'Let Him Know' I'm talking about what is maybe the weakest song on the album for me.

It was around this time that Bryan was just getting a well oiled live show together, one of the songs that featured heavily in setlists and worked great with audience participation was 'Take Me Back'. Always performed with a story in the middle, even on the album the song comes alive. It's just a great dirty rock song with a chorus that has left many an Arena with a sore throat afterwards. My favourite on the album. Hot on it's heels is 'Don't Leave Me Lonely' and the title track 'Cuts Like A Knife'... two of many brilliant songs written by Bryan & Jim Vallance.

So after such high praise for this album why only 4 stars? Well, I guess because a couple of the tracks seem a little dated and soft. Although I know it's a good song, 'This Time' has never stood up as being one of my favourites... maybe it's the cutesy instrumentation just dating it a bit, or maybe it's because it deviates towards the pop more than the rock. I don't know. I think 'The Only One' is a far better rocker, as is 'What's It Gonna Be'.

Maybe if I had grown up in the early 80's (like I grew up with 'Waking' and '18' in the 90's) I would be giving this a little bit more sentimentality... but it's still a solid 4 out of 5.

Key Tracks:
Take Me Back
Straight From The Heart

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