World Gone Crazy

Personnel: John McFee (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, electric slide guitar, resonator guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin); Patrick Simmons, Tom Johnston (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, background vocals); Michael Hossack (drums, percussion).
Audio Mixer: Ross Hogarth.
Recording information: Glenwood Place; Lizard Rock Studio; Nrg; Paia Town Studios; Studio D Sausalito; Sunset sound; The Boogie Motel; The Village.
Editors: Nigel Lundemo; Jose Alcantar.
Photographer: Richard McLaren.
Ten years separate World Gone Crazy from Sibling Rivalry, their last studio album, but the bigger news about this 2010 release is that it sees the Doobie Brothers reuniting with Ted Templeman, the producer of their breakthrough `70s hits. With Templeman at the board, the Doobies wind up with a tight album that recalls all of their glory days -- even the smooth blue-eyed soul of Michael McDonald, who graciously guests on "Don't Say Goodbye" -- in a mere 11 songs. The Doobies certainly mean to evoke the past, but they never sound forced when they indulge in some "Black Water"-styled fingerpicking, ease back for a little bit of boogie, or even re-create the AOR thump of their late-`80s comeback, "The Doctor." Some credit must go to the old pro Templeman, who certainly knows how to pull out the best from a band, but Tom Johnston, Pat Simmons, John McFee, and Mike Hossack are in fine form, writing solid songs and giving relaxed, lived-in performances, all adding up to a surprising strong album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine