Mr. Mister - Welcome To The Real World (CD 1990)

For those that remember the eighties, soft rock was one of those phrases coined by music buffs to collectively describe the "FM friendly" sound created in this rock sub-genre.
Mr.Mister may only be remembered by most music fans as "that group that did Broken Wings" but to their fanbase they were much more than that.
The group were formed in 1982, in Los Angeles, by former session musicians Richard Page and Steve George. They later "found" Steve Farris and Pat Mastelotto and so the line up was created.
"Welcome to the real world" was the groups second album, their first "I wear the face" wasn't a success but was re-released later in the band's career.
Although the album only contains ten tracks, they are worthy tracks to any album and, in retrospect, it's a pity they did'nt have more material available at the time!
First track "Black/White" is an up-tempo number which gets the album off to an energetic start, but also introduces the subject of love to the listener, which, as most will be aware,was the staple ingredient for soft-rock songs.
"Uniform of youth" has a slightly rebellious/angst feel to it and almost has the listener shouting angrily in the chorus.
"Don't slow Down" is a further uptempo number and, by now, the listener is aware of the use of keyboards in the song make up, along with that familiar soft-rock "tinny" sound.
"Run to Her" is the first slow number on the album and is a good vehicle for Richard Page's ability to sing in a "boy-band" style!
"Into my own hands" is more of a pragmatic song where the singer is looking at a situational problem and one (the listener)feels the need to role-play into the song. Nether-the-less, I think it is one of the better tracks on the album.
"Is it love?" returns to the up-tempo pattern and echoes the style of "Black/White", both in music flow, and the inevitable return to the love theme.
"Kyrie" is our first "crowd pleaser" on the album and surprisingly has to wait for track seven for it's appearance. For those that don't remember the song, it is a "chapter and verse" song that compels the listener to sing along with the infectious chorus,and one can imagine it as being the en-core song in a stage set.
Track eight "Broken Wings" is the master-piece power ballad that Mr.Mister gave to the world, the real world that is (dreadful Pun)!
"Broken Wings" is a creation of heart-break, rebuild and passion that the musicians and singer have drawn together in this no-holds barred ballad.
Since it appears on virtually any love or soft-rock compilation that comes out, this shows the popularity and and longevity of the song.
"Tangent Tears" is yet another pragmatic look at relationships and is similar to "is it love?" in both musical style and meaning.
The album finishes with the title track "Welcome to the real world", which is a strong , up-lifting song that leaves the listener thinking things over in a philosophical manner.
Overall, I think the album is superb and never gets tiring to listen to. If it was any longer then there would be a danger of the listener pre-empting
the next song, and possible over familiarity.
The album produced to US #1 singles, "Broken Wings"and "Kyrie" and "Is it love" also made the US top ten. The album it'self reached #1 in the US and #6 in the UK, where "Broken Wings" #4 and "Kyrie" #11 also did well.
Mr.Mister were able to create their own sound which, I think, has not aged as much as some of their contemporaries.

i bought this cd because it reminded me of my earlier years......oh the good old days!!! love all 80's music, those innocent care free days of partying and not bothered what time you get in (or what you looked like in those awful 80's attire!!!!)

the 80s had a great selection of musical wealth from the punk and new romantic scene to the american rock and electro. Mr Mister are a good example of 80s rock combining keyboard and guitar.Like the great van halen setting the path with the classic jump and new rock bands emerging like bon jovi and this side of the atlantic our keyboard rock somewhat mellower with the likes of simple minds and u2.Welcome to the Real world is a classic example of good tuneful american rock from that era producing hits like kyrie and an immortal Broken Wings still maybe played today as the first wedding slow.This album is foot tapping stuff which is only dated if you missed the 80s.

I loved the song Broken wings when I first heard it, had to find the album. Very pleased with the different beat of songs.Black/white, Run to her, Kyrie and Broken wings are my favourite tracks, also the other tracks are good. If you loved the music of the 80's this is for you.