Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment is the twenty-sixth studio album by the American rock band Chicago and its thirty-eighth album overall. Released on July 15, 2022, it is its first new album of original material since 2014's Chicago XXXVI: Now. "If This Is Goodbye" was released as a single on May 20, 2022.[1]
| Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | July 15, 2022 | |||
| Length | 57:26 | |||
| Label | BMG | |||
| Producer | Joe Thomas | |||
| Chicago chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment | ||||
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Production
According to Robert Lamm, the impetus for the album came from his collaborations with Jim Peterik, of the Ides of March, and Bruce Gaitsch during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Producer Joe Thomas heard through Peterik about their work and asked Lamm if Chicago would be interested in a recording project.[2]
When asked about the difference in the musical approach of the band for this album, Lamm said, "First of all, there are only three members [Lamm, Pankow, and Loughnane] who are calling the shots. The rest of the band are great guys, contracted players, top-notch guys. It wasn't as free-flowing as I thought it should be. That's the biggest change now."[2]
Reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
Gary Graff of Ultimate Classic Rock wrote that the album "hews to the middle of the road, with plenty of pop melodies and Chicago's trademark brass arrangements [...] But more than anything the 14-track set [...] marks the real arrival of singer and guitarist Neil Donell". Graff concluded that though it "has its cringe-y moments [it still] has enough hallmarks to engage any longtime fan for a moment, if not longer".[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Born for This Moment" | 4:50 | |
| 2. | "If This Is Goodbye" | 3:49 | |
| 3. | "Firecracker" | 3:50 | |
| 4. | "Someone Needed Me the Most" |
| 5:17 |
| 5. | "Our New York Time" |
| 4:16 |
| 6. | "Safer Harbours" | Neil Donell | 4:53 |
| 7. | "Crazy Idea" |
| 3:17 |
| 8. | "Make a Man Outta Me" |
| 4:14 |
| 9. | "She's Right" |
| 3:46 |
| 10. | ""The Mermaid" (Sereia Do Mar)" |
| 3:34 |
| 11. | "You've Got to Believe" |
| 3:12 |
| 12. | "For the Love" |
| 4:02 |
| 13. | "If This Isn't Love" |
| 4:38 |
| 14. | "House on the Hill" |
| 3:48 |
| Total length: | 57:26 | ||
Personnel
Chicago
- Robert Lamm[5] – lead vocals (2, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14), keyboards and programming (1, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14), bass guitar (1, 7, 10, 14), acoustic bass guitar (12), background vocals (1–3, 5–7, 9, 11, 12)
- Lee Loughnane – trumpet (1–11, 13), guitar, synthesizer bass, and background vocals (13), brass arrangement (13)
- James Pankow – trombone (1–13), brass arrangements (1–9, 11), keyboards (8), trombone solo (10)
- Walfredo Reyes Jr. – drums (1, 3–5, 7–11, 13, 14)
- Ray Herrmann – saxophone (1–11, 13), flute solos (14)
- Neil Donell – lead vocals (1–4, 6–8, 11, 13), background vocals (1–9, 11–13)
- Ramon "Ray" Yslas – percussion (1, 3–5, 7–10, 12, 14)
- Loren Gold – piano (13)
- Keith Howland – guitars (8, 13), additional keyboards (8), electric guitar (9)[a]
- Lou Pardini – background vocals (1, 3, 8)[a]
- Brett Simons – bass guitar (2–5, 8, 9, 13)[a]
Additional
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Chart performance
| Chart (2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[6] | 21 |
Notes
^[a] Howland, Pardini, and Simons were members of the band during recording, but not at the time of the release.[7]
References
- ^ Polcaro, Refael (May 20, 2022). "Chicago releases new song "If This Is Goodbye"". Rock and Roll Garage. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.
- ^ a b Mastropolo, Frank (July 15, 2022). "Robert Lamm on Chicago's New LP 'Born for This Moment' and Tour With Brian Wilson". The Riff. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Chicago – Born for This Moment Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Graff, Gary (July 14, 2022). "Chicago, 'Born for This Moment': Album Review". Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Chicago XXXVIII: Born for This Moment (booklet). BMG. 2022.
- ^ "Top Album Sales: Week of July 30, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
- ^ Urish, Ben (November 17, 2022). "Chicago's 'Born For This Moment' Leaves a Lasting Impression". PopMatters. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved February 5, 2023.