NELSON – Lightning Strikes Twice [Japanese Edition +1 bonus] (2010), MP3+FLAC

On September 29, 1991, NELSON reached the height of the U.S. single chart with their evergreen hit “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love And Affection”, from their multi-platinum debut album “After the Rain”. This single made history when it landed America’s iconic Nelson family (bandleader Ozzie Nelson, rock legend Rick Nelson, and twins Matthew and Gunnar) into the Guinness Book of World Records as the ONLY family in entertainment with three successive generations of #1 hitmakers.

After more than a decade of studio silence, NELSON did this comeback album in 2010: “Lightning Strikes Twice“, this Japanese Edition including a bonus track, a re-make of their last hit, 1999’s ‘A Girl Like That (2010 version)’.
The first question that comes to mind when spinning “Lightning Strikes Twice” is how well it stacks up against Nelson’s classic debut ‘After The Rain’… actually, as a whole, it’s a better album.
So what we have here, in a sort of brain-exploding twist of fate, are a couple of guys who waited until 2010 to make a better 1990 album than the one they originally recorded in 1990. The mastering is probably a little too bright, but in the exceedingly shrill context of everything else these days, that’s a relatively minor complaint; what matters is that the songs are punchier and equally or even more consistent.

How did this happen? Why did it happen? Who does it help? When you’re comparing albums on a scale that starts with Nelson’s After the Rain, does anyone win? I don’t have the answers to any of these questions. I’m just one befuddled man, caught between twins who won’t stop doing that ’80s rock guy dance while playing guitar and singing in flawless harmony.

Album opener “Call Me” is a terrific single, and brings to mind the band’s underrated 2nd ‘Because They Can’ album. “Day By Day” sounds like it came off from a Bon Jovi disc, and the wickedly melodic “How Can I Miss You” could have been a 7800 Fahrenheit b-side as well.
There are moments, particularly on songs like “You’re All I Need Tonight” where you hear the brothers’ famous vocal harmonies, and the tranquil ballad “To Get Back to You” (which features a guest appearance by Toto’s Steve Lukather) where you know you’re hearing vintage Nelson, and their signature style remains intact.

“Lightning Strikes Twice” is a very strong classic melodic rock album, a must for Nelson maniacs, as well as fans of classic ‘80s style melodic rock in general.
It’s a very polished, very melodic and extremely well written album that showcases two of the best performers / songwriters from the genre.
Highly Recommended

01 – Call Me
02 – Day By Day
03 – Ready, Willing, And Able
04 – How Can I Miss You?
05 – You’re All I Need Tonight
06 – To Get Back To You
07 – When You’re Gone
08 – Take Me There
09 – Come
10 – I’m In It For The Money
11 – Change A Thing
12 – Kickin’ My Heart Around
JAPANESE BONUS TRACK:
13 – A Girl Like That (2010 version)

Gunnar Nelson: Lead Vocals, Guitars
Matthew Nelson: Lead Vocals, Bass

With special guest appearances by:
Gary Corbett – Piano, Keyboards
Brian Burwell – Drums
David Morgan – Piano, Background Vocals
Steve Lukather – Guest Guitar on “To Get Back To You”

MP3 FLAC