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Track List
01) I Fall So Deep
02) Open Road
03) Superhero
04) My Commitment
05) Love Won't Wait
06) So Help Me Girl
07) Everything I Ever Wanted
08) Hang on in There Baby
09) Lay Down for Love
10) Never Knew
11) Forever Love
12) Back for Good (live)
01) I Fall So Deep
02) Open Road
03) Superhero
04) My Commitment
05) Love Won't Wait
06) So Help Me Girl
07) Everything I Ever Wanted
08) Hang on in There Baby
09) Lay Down for Love
10) Never Knew
11) Forever Love
12) Back for Good (live)
4:04
4:28
3:37
4:33
4:23
4:32
3:32
4:00
5:35
3:52
4:39
4:03
Data Complete
60%
Total Rating
60%Total Rating
(0 users)
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CD Art
3D Case
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First Released
1997
Pop
Good Natured
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Medium
Album
0 copies
Album Description
Available in:
Open Road is the debut solo album by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. It was released by BMG and RCA Records on 26 May 1997 in Europe, and on 13 January 1998 in America.
Album information
Following the break-up of Take That, Barlow went straight into the recording studio and began recording a solo album. On 5 July 1996, the album's lead single, "Forever Love", was released, peaking at #1 on the UK Singles Chart. A second single, "Love Won't Wait", was released in April 1997, also peaking at number one. On 26 May 1997, the album was subsequently released, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release. The album was certified platinum. Following the album's release, a further two singles, "So Help Me Girl" and "Open Road" were released, which charted at 11 and 7 respectively with the third single becoming Barlow's first solo material to chart in America. The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide to date.
International success
Following the success of the album in the United Kingdom and the album charting in over 21 countries internationally, Barlow set about releasing the album in the United States, and signed a record deal with Arista. He soon decided to re-work the album for the American market, and began promotion by releasing a remixed version of "So Help Me Girl" as the lead single, complete with a brand new video, on 30 September 1997. The album was subsequently released on 13 January 1998, and on 17 February, one of the new tracks for the American issue, "Superhero", was released as the second single. Although it became widely known for its use as the Yankees main theme, it failed to achieve any commercial success.
Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 3/5 stars
The San Diego Vista gave the album a positive review stating that as a "singer and songwriter demonstrates his potential as a successful solo artist on Open Road. The album shows a diversity of musical styles, many acoustic-based tracks, a few haunting ballads and some scintillating up-tempo dance numbers." Rodel goes on to state that "on the title track, "Open Road," Gary's brilliant songwriting abilities are showcased in all its glory. A song that he wrote at the young age of 16, "Open Road" reveals Gary's journey through life perhaps the best song on Gary's debut album."
User Album Review
Out of all the Take That members, Gary Barlow was tabbed to be a solo superstar because he not only had the looks, but the talent as well. All of Take That's best songs were written by Barlow, and they demonstrated that he shared Elton John's gift for the big, yet graceful hook. So, his solo debut Open Road should have established him among the front ranks of mainstream pop singers, but the album is fatally flawed because of this very conceit. In an attempt to guarantee Barlow the widest possible audience, Arista president Clive Davis decided to team the singer with a number of professional songwriters, resulting in a surprisingly bland album. When Barlow does get a chance to write -- as on "Forever Love," "My Commitment," and "Open Road" -- the record illustrates that he has the melodic skills and handsome charm to be a worldwide star, yet the album is undone by uncertainty and safe bets that lead Open Road to a dead end.
SOURCE: https://www.allmusic.com/album/open-road-mw0000024917
External Album Reviews
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User Comments
Available in:
Open Road is the debut solo album by British singer-songwriter Gary Barlow. It was released by BMG and RCA Records on 26 May 1997 in Europe, and on 13 January 1998 in America.
Album information
Following the break-up of Take That, Barlow went straight into the recording studio and began recording a solo album. On 5 July 1996, the album's lead single, "Forever Love", was released, peaking at #1 on the UK Singles Chart. A second single, "Love Won't Wait", was released in April 1997, also peaking at number one. On 26 May 1997, the album was subsequently released, peaking at number one on the UK Albums Chart on the week of release. The album was certified platinum. Following the album's release, a further two singles, "So Help Me Girl" and "Open Road" were released, which charted at 11 and 7 respectively with the third single becoming Barlow's first solo material to chart in America. The album has sold over 2 million copies worldwide to date.
International success
Following the success of the album in the United Kingdom and the album charting in over 21 countries internationally, Barlow set about releasing the album in the United States, and signed a record deal with Arista. He soon decided to re-work the album for the American market, and began promotion by releasing a remixed version of "So Help Me Girl" as the lead single, complete with a brand new video, on 30 September 1997. The album was subsequently released on 13 January 1998, and on 17 February, one of the new tracks for the American issue, "Superhero", was released as the second single. Although it became widely known for its use as the Yankees main theme, it failed to achieve any commercial success.
Critical reception
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 3/5 stars
The San Diego Vista gave the album a positive review stating that as a "singer and songwriter demonstrates his potential as a successful solo artist on Open Road. The album shows a diversity of musical styles, many acoustic-based tracks, a few haunting ballads and some scintillating up-tempo dance numbers." Rodel goes on to state that "on the title track, "Open Road," Gary's brilliant songwriting abilities are showcased in all its glory. A song that he wrote at the young age of 16, "Open Road" reveals Gary's journey through life perhaps the best song on Gary's debut album."
User Album Review
Out of all the Take That members, Gary Barlow was tabbed to be a solo superstar because he not only had the looks, but the talent as well. All of Take That's best songs were written by Barlow, and they demonstrated that he shared Elton John's gift for the big, yet graceful hook. So, his solo debut Open Road should have established him among the front ranks of mainstream pop singers, but the album is fatally flawed because of this very conceit. In an attempt to guarantee Barlow the widest possible audience, Arista president Clive Davis decided to team the singer with a number of professional songwriters, resulting in a surprisingly bland album. When Barlow does get a chance to write -- as on "Forever Love," "My Commitment," and "Open Road" -- the record illustrates that he has the melodic skills and handsome charm to be a worldwide star, yet the album is undone by uncertainty and safe bets that lead Open Road to a dead end.
SOURCE: https://www.allmusic.com/album/open-road-mw0000024917
External Album Reviews
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