The theory that great music only rises out of the strongest of emotions has been around for a long time. Whether it's the blues arising from loss, gospel from religious faith or searing anger in rock and rap, truly amazing music often finds its roots in an artist's most emotionally charged moments. But as time goes by, the artist's life changes-and many never tap into such powerful topics again.
Back Home certainly has to be disconcerting for Eric Clapton fans. A master at creating taut blues alongside sleek rock and pop imbued with intensity, Clapton's latest features lots of glossy tracks with tinges of all three, plus the occasional reggae-inspired groove. His talent is undeniable and, as always, constantly on display. But these tracks are merely 'good.' They lack urgency; even Clapton struggles to sound anything but complacent. There's no need for us to hear this music-nothing new from Clapton musically or particularly compelling lyrically. He's just too damned happy.
Musically, Clapton is returning to his 1989's Journeyman style, clearly viewing that as his defining solo effort. But the album's title reflects Clapton's satisfaction with his young family as well. After losing a 4-year-old son in 1991, Clapton has since remarried and fathered two daughters. His relationship with his wife and kids represent the bulk of the album; nearly every song is about his family, and the album booklet is packed with photos of the aging rocker with his wife and daughters.
On album-opener \So Tired,"" Clapton croons about parenting, ""Get up in the morning / already yawning, and I'm so tired / ain't had a wink of sleep / seems like a week, and we're so tired,"" but it isn't long before he steps back to appreciate his wife, singing, ""thank god their Momma is a natural / she knows exactly what to do / if left to be I think I'd go insane / I just wouldn't have a clue.""
The track is classy adult blues pop, with nice but unspectacular guitar, and one of the few tracks solid enough to merit radio play. But one merely needs to hear Clapton's voice to picture the guitarist with a relaxed fatherly grin on his face. ""So Tired"" opens the album with this nice tone, but Back Home never breaks past this good-but-not-great barrier.
""Revolution,"" the first single off the album, is the farthest Clapton strays from the feel-good family tracks that dominate Back Home. Reggae-infused groove that it is, the backup vocals on ""Revolution"" destroy the experience as soon as you hear the unnerving ""Say you wanna, say you wanna!"" backup singers nearly overpowering Clapton himself.
The album features an abundance of covers among the 12 tracks, which will entice some. George Harrison's ""Love Comes to Everyone"" and Stevie Wonder's ""I'm Going Left"" are both pleasurable takes, while ""Love Don't Love Nobody,"" originally by The Spinners, drags on interminably. Back Home also features appearances by John Mayer, Robert Randolph and Steve Winwood, but they're fairly inconspicuous and hard to spot.
Ultimately, one has to be happy for Clapton while listening to his newest work; none of his fans can begrudge him for concentrating on a rewarding home life. But as Back Home illustrates, it's hard to write the blues when you don't have anything to be blue about.
