Joe Cocker "Hard Knocks" Album Review

Prime Cuts: Unforgiven, So It Goes, So

With the passing of Joe Cocker on Dec. 22, 2014, we have decided to pay tribute this rock veteran by reviewing his penultimate studio album released in 2012.  Despite being on a new label with a new duo of producers and some of today's hottest songwriters on this new CD, this is still a patented Joe Cocker record. Rifled with hard rockers with anthemic choruses and epic ballads of the Jim Steinman vein, "Hard Knocks" makes no concession to dilute the enjoyment of true Cocker fans. Nevertheless, there are a few points of departures for Cocker. Unlike his previous CD "Hymns for the Soul" which was mainly cover songs, "Hard Knocks" only finds Cocker resurrecting one track (i.e., Dixie Chicks' "I Hope"). Also, in moving ahead with the times, Cocker has joined the au courant entourage of artists such as Matchbox Twenty, Blessed Union of Souls, and Stacie Orrico in enlisting Matt Serletic to produce 9 cuts with "I Hope" helmed by country stalwart producer Tony Brown. Not one to retreat to his rocking chair, this 66 year-old rocker has also garnered songs from American Idol's Kara Dioguardi (who has also written songs for Celine Dion, Demi Lovato and Fefe Dobson), Jeffrey Steele, Keb'Mo', Nick Lachey and Stephanie Bentley.

What is most rewarding about this CD is the way Joe Cocker bears his heart without sounding juvenile or frivolous. In fact, the ballads here are all superior and are frankly the gems of this disc. Though written by Kara Dioguardi, Mitch Allan and Nick Lachey, "Unforgiven" sounds like a track taken from Jim Steinman's portfolio. A brooding epic ballad that unpacks the burden of holding a grudge, this is the type of songs that truly will make a difference. More heart tugging moments abound with the story of a lost soul in "So It Goes." "So It Goes" is a gorgeous ballad that is given even more grit and earthiness by Cocker's gravel-like vocals. "So," coming from the pens of Chantal Kreviazuk and Tawgs Salter is a mature love ballad about honesty in a relationship that is a sober listen. Starting off with just the piano before the introduction of a heavenly choir, the gospel-like "Thankful" is pure bliss.

Other than the ballads aforementioned, blue-eyed rockers dominate starting with lead single and title cut "Hard Knocks." An autobiographical song of sorts of how the "bumps and bruises" of life helped shaped Cocker for who is, "Hard Knocks" boasts some of Cocker's most engaging performances in years. Yet, not all the tracks weigh with such hefty aptitude. "Get On" one of those cruising fun rockers that finds Cocker himself confessing that he does "listen to some Joe Cocker" himself. "Stay the Same," on the other hand, is a modern pop-ish endeavor that is just passable without being impressive. And the album's sole cover is Cocker's take of Dixie Chicks' "I Hope." While the Chicks' version was more commercial country, Cocker's take is more cluttered with more guitars and drums making it busier than called for.

In this day and age where even the older artists are taking a nod towards radio thus pilfering themselves of their identity, Cocker is to be congratulated for sticking to who he is. If you are a fan of Cocker from his earlier material, this CD will not disappoint. Despite the album's title, there are enough ballads here also to warm the heart. For even the "Hard Knocks" do have hearts too. 

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