‘I’m missing the news!!!’ ‘We all miss the news Meg, but Huey Lewis needs time to create and we have to learn to be patient.’ That season three quote from Family Guy has a lot of merit to it. We were patient and the News delivered a classic set of new material for the masses once again with ‘Weather.’
It’s been 19 years since Huey Lewis and the News released an album of new material. It’s not a long record. Only seven songs. Which honestly could put it the Ep range as opposed to a full LP. But the mere fact that ‘Weather’ even exists is somewhat of a miracle. Huey Lewis has been diagnosed with a rare hearing disorder called Meniere’s Disease that greatly effects audio interpretation depending on the day. Some days the hearing is fine. Others it’s almost non existent. But that didn’t stop Lewis from getting the News back together for seven new songs.
The album kicks off in classic News form with ‘While We’re Young.’ A track that could have easily fit on the ‘Small World’ album. A feel good full band track to set the mood right. The record keeps flowing with the ‘Sports’ sounding ‘Her Love Is Killing Me.’ A fun, upbeat blues rocker with the classic horn section holding down the groove. It’s a great one, two punch to get the album going. The third track, ‘I Am There For You,’ slows things down. But it never sacrifices the blues influence that’s so prominent in the News’ sounds. The mid-tempo ballad is sure to get the romance going. ‘Hurry Back Baby’ really kicks the blues into high gear. This swinging song is so classic sounding it makes classic not really classic.
‘Remind Me Why I Love You Again’ is not only the News at their funky best. Def a track that could be on ‘Hard At Play.’ But it’s also a hilarious piece. It’s one of those songs by the News that always gets people up and dancing. Similar to a upbeat Dave Matthews track. They are clearly an influence after all. ‘Pretty Girls Everywhere’ really throws it back to that 50’s style rock. The band nails the lead and call style vocals that were so prominent during that period. The short album then closes with the intimate ‘One of the Boys.’ A campfire track of sorts. The kind of song a couple of friends could play together nearly anywhere. And it’s a great way to cap off the album. You can really hear his heartfelt gratitude of support through the years on the song.
Overall the album is really good. An unexpected pleasure. In more ways than one. Here’s to hoping that Huey’s hearing gets better so the band can do the big tour they deserve to do.
