A new MR. BIG album with the original lineup is here and what you get is just what you might expect from this group of veteran rockers… A solid disc full of classy melodic rock tunes with more than solid playing and the distinctive vocals of one Eric Martin. It’s no secret the band is absolutely huge in Japan and that is most like the reason they have reformed in these recent years.

The first track (and lead single) off “What If…” is “Undertow” and the song is a great re-introduction to the bands sound. With urgency to the tune, the band turn in a heavy and driving performance yet maintain a melodic side with a great chorus. The familiar bass sound of Billy Sheehan and distinctive guitar tone of Paul Gilbert are on display here. Eric Martin sounds as fresh as ever and Pat Torpey holds it all down. It’s a great return to form and good choice for first single.

“American Beauty” brings back shades of the debut MR. BIG album from 1989. The groovy bass lines and guitar interplay from Sheehan and Gilbert take center stage as Martin’s vocals hold it all in place.

“Stranger In My Life” is a great ballad with great vocal arrangement and execution from Martin. Eric Martin has rarely let down in his career and he certainly has a penchant for heartfelt songs with “Stranger” being no different.

“Nobody Left To Blame” is a smoldering tune with some vocal effects from Martin. It’s modern yet groovy but ultimately just a pretty cool song with some nice guitar work from Gilbert thrown in to complete the vibe.

he tune “Still Ain’t Enough For Me” is another storming rocker that includes a cool little “bass solo”; the kind we’ve come to expect from Billy Sheehan. It’s a quick-paced and to-the-point rocker. As the album plays on you get even more groove-laden rockers with that signature “funkiness” that MR. BIG has become known for.

The second ballad of the record is “All The Way Up” and it’s another one that sees Eric Martin shine. He simply has a great voice for those types of tunes.

“Around The World” is another full-on rocker akin to “Still Ain’t Enough For Me”. The band gets to flex its muscles with some impressive runs on their respective instruments and you just got to admit that Billy Sheehan has a sound like no other bass player out there!

The Japanese release (beside being released earlier than the rest of the world) gets the bonus track “Kill Me With A Kiss”, which is another groove-laden rocker. It’s the longest track on the album thanks to some “jamming” at the end. The song even features some cool piano fills to give the jamming some extra effect.

In the end, “What If…” is a pretty nice comeback record for the original lineup of the band. It has what you’d expect from them and a couple little new twists to bring the band up to date. All the individual players are talented for sure but the record has a cohesive, song-based theme. A solid return for MR. BIG.