Tal Bachman
Those who found a lot to like in theNew Radicals' update of '70s and '80s pop-rock for '90s ears may find Tal Bachman's debut similarly appealing. Seemingly inspired as much by the widescreen fantasias ofQueenandELOas by theBeatles, the son of formerBachman-Turner Overdrivehead Randy offers a series of well-crafted tunes helmed by himself and superstar producer Bob Rock. Craftsmanship, however, is about the limit of Bachman's vision; his songs rarely rise above clichéd declarations of (and complaints about) love, with pro forma considerations of maturity ("I Wonder") and generational concerns ("Looks Like Rain") failing to lend much weight. With TV producers (Dawson's Creek,Melrose Place) clamoring to use his melodramas on their soundtracks, Bachman may find commercial--if not artistic--success.--Rickey Wright