A timeless and beloved masterpiece would likely be an appropriate description for Lionel Richie’s 1983 studio album, his second solo release, Can’t Slow Down. Blending soulful melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and an exquisite production, this record stands as a timeless classic over four decades later and is a significant milestone in not only Richie’s career but also within the annals of pop and R&B music history.
As incredible as the album is, however, one thing has always struck me as bizarre and that’s the album artwork. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se, it just isn’t overly appealing. It seems somewhat irrelevant to the music; not that the visual accompaniment needs to always match the audible intent. It’s just that many albums, particularly the successful ones, do have linkages between the music and the artwork design. It’s even stranger when contrasted against the dominating elements of the era as the primary music format in 1983 was the larger vinyl record. The visuals, at that time, were essential to an album’s success and perhaps I’m missing an element, but it’s a little sparse and cold. In a strange dichotomy, however, I’ve grown accustomed to it. That is to say that I can’t imagine a different album cover for the selection of songs, yet I still don’t consider it to be an exceptional piece of cover art. Thankfully, I have the complete opposite opinion of the music contained within.
As it pertains to the sonic quality of the album, there’s no doubt just how well this record was recorded and mixed, yet different masterings yield varied results and depending on your subjective preferences some editions may appeal to you more than others. For instance, I had been fortunate to have owned the High Fidelity Pure Audio (HFPA) Blu-Ray release but I always found it to be a little too clinical and fatiguing to listen to. However, if you’re interested in extracting every musical element from the recording, that particular edition will likely impress. I, on the other hand, tend to lean towards a more musical presentation. I want to groove and dance to the music, I want to feel it in my soul, and I don’t require every minutia of the recording to thoroughly enjoy this release.
Subsequently, I have found the Hi-Res Lossless Apple Music stream, an Apple Digital Master, to be exquisite. It has detail, but more importantly, for me at least, it has oomph. The roundness of the sonic signature, as featured on the stream, results in what I consider to be a far more pleasant presentation than any other I have heard thus far. It’s so good that I don’t feel the need to seek out a physical copy or return to the HFPA Blu-ray release.
The bottom line is that with the stream, I feel compelled to play the album on repeat, whereas that hadn’t always been the case in the past. I’d usually play the Blu-ray release once and then file it away as the fatigue began to set in by the time I got to the end of the album. Of course, your perspective may, and likely will, differ from mine. Let’s just say that when you have an album as incredible as Can’t Slow Down, there’s no wrong way to listen to it. With that in mind let’s explore the songs that make up this classic release.
Can't Slow Down launches the album with a mid to upbeat rhythmic tempo that sets the tone for the music that’s to follow. While there isn’t a bad song to be heard on the album, Can't Slow Down is one of those songs that I have a love/hate relationship with. Perhaps it’s just me, but I feel Richie’s vocal is too recessed in the mix. Granted, it’s a stylistic choice, but I can’t help but disagree with the mixing decision. That said, I couldn’t imagine any other song from the album that would have been a more fitting opener.
All Night Long (All Night) has an incredible Caribbean-inspired rhythm that immediately captures your soul. Add Richie’s smooth vocal style to the mix and you have a compelling and upbeat celebratory atmosphere that could be played on repeat all night long (pun most certainly intended). The bottom line is that the song's catchy chorus and vibrant instrumentation make this not only one of the most exciting songs from the album, but one of the very best Richie ever wrote and recorded.
Penny Lover shifts the tonality of the album with this beautiful romantic ballad. Richie's soulful vocals and the smooth melody are nothing short of exceptional and ensure that this is one song that truly defines the term timeless.
Stuck On You continues the ballad-styled approach that is, arguably, a signature cue for Richie, but it’s the musicality that makes Stuck On You so impressive. With a touch of country, Richie shows just how skilled and diverse he is as a vocalist and musician.
Love Will Find A Way picks up the tempo with a groove that will see you toe-tapping and head-bopping along to this stunning album-only tune. While Richie is exceptional throughout the entire song, it is the moment when the backing vocals enter the mix that cements it as a hidden gem that will touch your soul as only the best music in recorded music history can.
The Only One maintains the soulful and romantic atmosphere of Love Will Find A Way. Featuring a masterful blend of R&B and pop elements, The Only One, while never released as a single, is one of the standouts from the album and I dare say that had it been released as a single, it too would have topped the charts as the other five releases from Can’t Slow Down had.
Running With The Night is one of the greatest songs from the 80s. Yes, it has the 80s vibe to it, as does the entire album, yet it doesn’t sound dated. I’d argue that it remains sonically fresh after all these years and perhaps that is due to its rock-inspired atmosphere as you get the sense of the song continually building to Steve Lukather’s magnificent guitar solo that graces the song from the midway point. Richie may not be a rock and roller, but as with Stuck On You, his vocal prowess knows few bounds.
Hello is, arguably, Richie’s most iconic song and for good reason; it’s an exceptionally powerful ballad with exquisite music layering and a vocal performance that is amongst the greatest Richie has ever recorded. It is, for lack of a better term, timeless!
While Can’t Slow Down was a monumental success, its true triumph was not in the awards, critical acclaim, or sales it achieved, but in the album’s timeless quality, perfect sequencing, and song selection, as well as its emotive storytelling. Each song stands out on its own, but the culmination of chosen songs knows few peers. It truly is one of the greatest albums ever released and is one that will continue to captivate audiences and inspire artists for generations to come.
