Eric Clapton, by this point, was a successfully established musical artist. He had a series of albums released in the 1970s that, although were not seen as impressive as his earlier work with the likes of The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers or Cream, were still landmarks in their own way. This was Eric Clapton’s last album release on RSO Records before that company was snapped up by Polydor Records. This album had some moderate success, both critically and commercially. This may not be seen as Clapton’s best album, but it poses the question: could Eric Clapton still make good music into the 1980s? Let’s find out.

Something Special begins with a good and groovy-sounding piece of Blues based Rock Music. Eric Clapton sings very nicely on this tune. These sounds, from the start, are very similar to the music made during Eric Clapton’s 1970s solo career, with the exception of some weird 1980s keyboards in the distant background. Regardless, this is still solidly great music. Clapton’s guitar work is as good as it ever was, with some neat playing and melodies throughout. There is also some interesting piano layered throughout this song. A fine effort from the one and only Slowhand, this does sound really marvellous. A nice two-and-a-half-minute-long song, this does sound fantastic throughout. A good start to this album.

Black Rose begins with a strummed acoustic guitar and some gorgeous slide guitar to match. Eric Clapton sings nicely over the top of it all. He sounds inspired and amazing here. It seems that the 1980s showed that Clapton himself still had some musical magic in him, although it is fairly formulaic in its own way by this point. With some Christian-based lyrics and some excellent music within him, Slowhand could definitely still make some awesome tunes. This is a very pleasant tune and no doubt Eric Clapton showcases a brilliant and natural musical talent in his solo career. This music may not be as popular as Cream, but Eric Clapton does the Blues better than most out there. The slide guitar playing, organ and other fresh-sounding musical touches do lift one’s soul up to a happier place. A great song nonetheless. Another good three-minute-long song.

Blow Wind Blow is a traditional Blues/Country Music sounding tune, with a touch of Southern USA Rock about it. Again, although this music is quite formulaic, it sounds electrifying, interesting and tremendous. Clapton sings about feeling blue after realising one’s lover is a cheater. Typical Blues Rock stuff. Some of Slowhand’s best playing from this era is on this song, and he plays the Fender Stratocaster unlike anyone else out there. Clapton growls and plays some fantastic licks throughout. Nonetheless, this does sound incredibly amazing. A really cool and interesting listening experience, the guitar playing blurs the lines between rhythm and lead guitar, and the rest of the band does a killer job as well. Sweet.

Another Ticket begins with some mellow string sections and a gorgeous piano to match. There is some gentle slide guitar playing present here as well. Aside from Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton proves that he could play a Fender Stratocaster in some of the best ways possible. A very sweet, lovely and enjoyable song to hear from the start. This is a romantic love-based ballad that sounds inspired and has Eric Clapton showcasing his romantic side as a musician. This is a symphonic piece of music and to be fair, this is not as consistent as his earlier music. Still, having said that Clapton is unique and excellent to listen to as an artist. This does have some rather awkward 1980s musical overtones to it, but despite that, this is a good song to listen to. Nonetheless, it is a good song to listen to throughout. This music is best to listen to at home with your partner or with them on a long, casual drive throughout the countryside. Regardless, the 1980s keyboards really aren’t entirely necessary on this song, and the whole thing would be better off without those. Aside from that, this is a good song about love and the feelings from the heart. A gentle and beautiful ballad throughout, although this does sound rather dated. Nonetheless, a good song to listen to. The outro sounds really great and this quickly fades out after five and a half minutes. Decent, even if flawed.

I Can’t Stand It is the most popular piece from this album. It launches into a sludgy, funky Fender Stratocaster groove that sounds upbeat. Again, this does not sound like the best of Eric Clapton, but does sound enjoyable enough as a song. Clapton sings and plays very well, however. One can hear why this was a bit of a hit at the time. It sounds definitely like a post-Disco early 1980s tune that would have gotten plenty of attention. Even so, this album is not as good as previous Slowhand efforts with songs like these. Regardless, the music is definitely listenable, even if it does seem more of the same as an album. Eric Clapton puts in energy, effort and emotion into this song and points out an unfaithful lover who isn’t making a great impression on himself. It fades out a little towards the end before drumrolls kick back in and the chorus returns. A good song, but not the most memorable Eric Clapton hit.

Hold Me Lord begins with some slide acoustic guitars, piano and other sweet-sounding instrumentation. Eric Clapton sings about traditional Christian-based concepts, again. This is a sweet and gentle listening experience, and although the religious overtones will not appeal to everyone out there, this is another great listen by Slowhand. A really sweet and flavoursome tune, this music has a much broader appeal than one would immediately think of when the name Eric Clapton comes to mind. Nonetheless, this is a loveable and Poppy tune with some definite Christianity from within, which is a good or bad thing, depending on your views. The slide guitar solo on acoustic guitar throughout is really gorgeous, as is the piano, singing and backing band throughout. A sweet and symbolic song to listen to. Another really cool song.

Floating Bridge does not refer to the guitar setup with the tremolo system on (generally) a Fender Stratocaster-styled guitar. Instead, it is a slow, sensual and smooth-sounding piece of music on the Fender Stratocaster that sounds sweet and divine. Eric Clapton sings very nicely over the top of the music here, and the music and playing by Clapton is really quite sweet and fantastic throughout. The music is super cool nonetheless, and the 1970s-styled organ and Fender Stratocaster licks remind one of the likes of Pink Floyd. This music is super good regardless, and Slowhand himself knows Blues Rock better than anyone else. With a lyrical reference to Muddy Waters and other imaginary concepts, Clapton is a Guitar God and songs like these point out why. He creates some of the smoothest and sweetest guitar playing throughout this song as well. A genuinely great song to listen to. This isn’t even the best Eric Clapton album, and he sounds like a genuinely great and listenable talent for singing, guitar and music in general. In the second half is a nice guitar solo section played on the middle pickup of the Fender Stratocaster. Clapton is a very accomplished musician to this day, and his music will have a huge and lasting impact on generations of musicians to come. Regardless, this is a super interesting and sweet tune that is deeply rooted in Blues Music tradition. This begins to wrap up with more guitar solos and interesting playing, before reaching a gradual conclusion after six and a half minutes. Excellent.

Catch Me If You Can sounds like an unusual piece for this album, with post-Disco Funk guitar and a different-sounding groove-based piece. Again, this does have some 1980s musical overtones, which doesn’t suit Eric Clapton’s music that much. It’s another good but formulaic-sounding tune by the Guitar God. This points out that Eric Clapton changed his music to suit the times, rather than exploring a point of internal musical inspiration within himself. The guitars here are really good, however and the solo section is definitely interesting to listen to. An energetic and enjoyable listen is present here nonetheless. Clapton does his best to create some genuinely good music. The drumming is also worth paying attention to, and Slowhand sounds like he is truly enjoying himself on this song. A great and quirky listen from one of the greatest guitarists to walk this Planet Earth. There is an extended jam section to listen to in the outro here, and Slowhand gives us his all. A good song, although this definitely sounds dated.

Rita Mae is the last song on this album and is a fast-tempo piece with keyboards in it. Again, this does sound hugely inspired or entertaining in terms of listening. Eric Clapton sings about the said lady in the song title, and this is more of a take on an energetic and uptempo old school Blues number, with an 1980s musical feel to it. Regardless, this is another song about being angry towards a man who Rita Mae sees and who Clapton wants to blow away. The guitar playing is very awesome here, and the whole thing sounds very fresh and unique per se. This has a giddy sonic rush about it that sounds incredibly interesting, even if the musical quality is a bit lacking. The drumming again is worth paying attention to as well. Nonetheless, a really great listen that sounds interesting and energetic. Clapton proves that, as a Rock legend, he is immortalised with his awesome tunes forever in the history of music. Towards the end, some watery keyboards enter, followed by an organ alongside this powerful jam. The outro has some great guitar work and a good jam to suit it all. A great listen from start to finish, and it ends with a good fade out of this song.

To be fair, this is not the great Eric Clapton album. Still, it certainly has its musical moments on this album but in retrospect, this sounds rather dated and stale musically as an effort by Clapton as the 1980s dawned. This is somewhat disappointing to listen to compared to earlier Slowhand efforts, but then again, most mainstream music from this era was not up to scratch compared to even a few years before. Still, this is a good album overall. Should you listen to this album? Yes but only after you have heard earlier material by Eric Clapton.

Good but not great.

7/10