Thirteen

Thirteen is the thirteenth album on which FM re-polished the urbane melodic rock it has long cultivated with composed playing and neat choruses. Rather than grandiose build-ups, the guitar, keyboards and rhythm section carefully support the songs’ hooks, centered on Steve Overland’s warm, powerful voice. A milestone work as the title suggests, its content shows no sign of stagnation at all. On “Shaking the Tree,” “Waiting on Love,” “Be Lucky” and “Fight Fire with Fire,” refined melody and firm playing join tightly. Songs like “Every Man Needs a Woman” and “Be True to Yourself” breathe the band’s neat lyricism too. Winning through staying power rather than flash and playing through fine AOR / hard rock that naturally accompanies daily life, it is a flavorful record conveying the steady fullness of an FM that has reached maturity.