Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment
| Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 15, 2022 | |||
| Length | 57:26 | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Producer | Joe Thomas | |||
| Chicago chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment | ||||
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Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment is the twenty-sixth studio album by the American rock band Chicago and its thirty-eighth album overall. Released on July 15, 2022, it is its first new album of original material since 2014's Chicago XXXVI: Now. "If This Is Goodbye" was released as a single on May 20, 2022.[1]
Production
According to Robert Lamm, the impetus for the album came from his collaborations with Jim Peterik, of the Ides of March, and Bruce Gaitsch during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Producer Joe Thomas heard through Peterik about their work and asked Lamm if Chicago would be interested in a recording project, and it took off from there.[2]
When asked about the difference in the musical approach of the band for this album, Lamm said, "First of all, there are only three members [Lamm, Pankow, and Loughnane] who are calling the shots. The rest of the band are great guys, contracted players, top-notch guys. It wasn’t as free-flowing as I thought it should be. That’s the biggest change now."[2]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
Gary Graff of Ultimate Classic Rock wrote that the album "hews to the middle of the road, with plenty of pop melodies and Chicago's trademark brass arrangements [...] But more than anything the 14-track set [...] marks the real arrival of singer and guitarist Neil Donell". Graff concluded that while Born for This Moment "has its cringe-y moments", it still "has enough hallmarks to engage any longtime fan for a moment, if not longer".[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Born for This Moment" | 4:50 | |
| 2. | "If This Is Goodbye" | 3:49 | |
| 3. | "Firecracker" | 3:50 | |
| 4. | "Someone Needed Me the Most" |
| 5:17 |
| 5. | "Our New York Time" |
| 4:16 |
| 6. | "Safer Harbours" | Neil Donell | 4:53 |
| 7. | "Crazy Idea" |
| 3:17 |
| 8. | "Make a Man Outta Me" |
| 4:14 |
| 9. | "She's Right" |
| 3:46 |
| 10. | ""The Mermaid" (Sereia Do Mar)" |
| 3:34 |
| 11. | "You've Got to Believe" |
| 3:12 |
| 12. | "For the Love" |
| 4:02 |
| 13. | "If This Isn't Love" |
| 4:38 |
| 14. | "House on the Hill" |
| 3:48 |
| Total length: | 57:26 | ||
Personnel
Chicago
- Robert Lamm[5] - lead vocals (2, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14), keyboards and programming (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14), bass guitar (1, 7, 10, 14), acoustic bass guitar (12), background vocals (1-3, 5–7, 9, 11, 12)
- Lee Loughnane – trumpet (1-11, 13), guitar, synthesizer bass, and background vocals (13), brass arrangement (13)
- James Pankow – trombone (1-13), brass arrangements (1-9, 11), keyboards (8), trombone solo (10)
- Walfredo Reyes Jr. – drums (1, 3–5, 7–11, 13, 14)
- Ray Herrmann – saxophone (1-11, 13), flute solos (14)
- Neil Donell – lead vocals (1-4, 6–8, 11, 13), background vocals (1-9, 11–13)
- Ramon "Ray" Yslas – percussion (1, 3–5, 7–10, 12, 14)
- Loren Gold – piano (13)
- Keith Howland – guitars (8, 13), additional keyboards (8), electric guitar (9)[a]
- Lou Pardini – background vocals (1, 3, 8)[a]
- Brett Simons – bass guitar (2–5, 8, 9, 13)[a]
Additional
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Charts
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[6] | 21 |
Notes
^[a] Howland, Pardini, and Simons were members of the band during recording, but not at the time of the release.[7]
References
- ^ Polcaro, Refael (May 20, 2022). "Chicago releases new song "If This Is Goodbye"". Rock and Roll Garage. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Mastropolo, Frank (July 15, 2022). "Robert Lamm on Chicago's New LP 'Born for This Moment' and Tour With Brian Wilson". The Riff. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chicago – Born for This Moment Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Graff, Gary (July 14, 2022). "Chicago, 'Born for This Moment': Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment (booklet). BMG. 2022.
- ^ "Top Album Sales: Week of July 30, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Urish, Ben (November 17, 2022). "Chicago's 'Born For This Moment' Leaves a Lasting Impression". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.