With a little help from a whole lot of friends, "Ringo Starr" has managed to produce a competent, if light-weight, album in "Vertical Man." Ringo always manages to pull a few unique tunes out of his hat on his solo albums, and this one is no different. There are a couple really outstanding tunes, with the rest belonging on the "Light Rock" radio stations.

The opening track, "One," is kind of a twangy, southern rock type song, with an average melody and lyrics. "What In The World" has a promising intro, then slows down so much you want to reach through the CD and shake somebody and tell them to pick up the pace already! The only extra comment about this one, is that former band-mate, Paul McCartney, guests on bass and backing vocals.

"Mindfield" is one of those unique tunes on the album that I mentioned
previously. With guests Steven Tyler and Alanis Morissette on backing
vocals, this song picks up the pace (finally!), and has some really cool
lyrics to go with the totally catchy melody. There's also more emphasis on the vocals than instrumentals, which the lyrics deserve. The echo effect on the verses fit the words perfectly: "What's right who's wrong everybody take sides/ My God your God God it's such a thin line/ E Mail jump bail man becomes a female/ War vet dragnet take another Percocet . . ." The chorus isn't bad either: "Livin' in a Mindfield/ We're walking on thin ice/ Livin' in a Mindfield/ There's no time to think twice/ Only we can make it better/ Let's all get well together." A nice mix of Ringo's echoed vocals with the backing vocals give this song some substance.

Unfortunately, things go downhill again with "King of Broken Hearts,"
although another mini-Beatles reunion happens, this time with George
Harrison on slide guitar. The song is sooo slow, and has such sticky sweet lyrics, it's perfect dentist office music. The cover of the Beatles' "Love Me Do" makes me cringe! Ringo explained on VH1's "Storytellers" series that he always wanted to do this song, but it was recorded before he joined the Beatles. Ringo, you shoulda left it alone! Not even Steven Tyler on harmonica and backing vocals can save this one!

Then comes another big turn around with the title track, "Vertical Man."
This is one really cool song, and should end up as one of Ringo's long-time, memorable hits, along with "It Don't Come Easy." With a whole bunch of folks helping out, including Ozzy Osbourne, this is by far the best track on the album. This song reminded me somewhat of "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles, but it doesn't sound like it - just has a something that brought the song to mind. The song has very positive lyrics about picking yourself up and going on with your life when things go wrong, but it's the music that makes this song work - especially the use of backing vocals. It's also one of the better Ringo vocals on the album.

Next up is a cover of "Drift Away," but not even Steven Tyler, Tom Petty and Alanis Morissette can save this one - although the verses sung by Tom and Alanis sound more natural than Ringo's. The song is too slow, and sounds like a big ol' sing-a-long on the chorus. About the only part of the song that comes across well is Steven Tyler with his trademark song ending be-bops. "I Was Walkin' " is another star studded song, with help from Steven Tyler, Paul McCartney and Alanis Morissette among others. At least this song picks up the pace some, which is a good sign on an album that seems to run in slow motion.

The single from the album, "La De Da," has everybody and their entire family playing instruments or singing in support of Ringo. The only thing it DOESN'T have is Paul McCartney AND George Harrison together with Ringo. They studiously avoided backing Ringo together. As for the song itself, at least it sort of moves along, although it could be a bit livelier. The lyrics are pretty banal - as anyone could gather from the title. I guess this is an okay song - at least it's a happy one.

Once again with a lot of backup, this time including Brian Wilson and the
gospel group "Sauce," we have "Without Understanding." The music is kind of interesting on this tune, but again too slow. The lyrics didn't do a whole lot for me, but they talk about "understanding" and "good vibrations." Gee, I wonder where the "good vibrations" came from? DUH! "I'll Be Fine Anywhere" has a short supporting cast for once - just Ringo's band with a little help on the slide guitar by George Harrison. This one is a jazzy/swing type number that ups the pace some, and sounds like a real fun, carefree song. Nothing outstanding, but listenable.

"Puppet" is kind of a catchy little tune. At least it's got a decent beat,
melodic instrumentals and no "extras" holding the song up except Ringo's band. The lyrics are as up beat as the music, and this is one that kinda stays with you after you've heard it a few times. The closing number on the album, "I'm Yours," is a simple tribute to Ringo's wife, Barbara Bach. With only an acoustic guitar for accompaniment, the flaws in his voice are obvious (this was never the "singing" Beatle), but it's a sweet song to have dedicated to you. There is a string section on this tune that is really beautiful, and is about the only "saving grace" besides the lyrics.

All in all this is a very average album. There are a couple stand out songs on it, but nothing to make you run right out and buy it - unless you're a die-hard Ringo Starr or Beatles fan. I do have to admit that after listening to it a whole bunch of times it did start to grow on me, but if I'd paid good money for it, I would definitely be dissapointed.