I'm a high school band director, so I obviously hear horns every day. (not that makes me an expert or anything) For the most part I think they fit pretty well with the tunes, but I just think there is just a little too much of them at times. I think this might be why I can't get into "Can't Feel A Thing" yet....I just don't think that tune needs the horns. I think it just makes a slower tune like that feel like there's a little too much going on. This is, of course, just my opinion.
On the other hand, I think they're great on a tune like "Sounds of the City." That tune wouldn't be the same without the bari sax wailing on that guitar/bass line.
That's pretty much how I feel. After hearing the live version, I hoped Can't Feel a Thing would be arranged more like Hold Me Close.
There are times I think the horns are great (Sounds of the City, Maggie) and times I could have done without them (Can't Feel a Thing, What Are You Willing), but overall I like the record a lot and I recognize that a band that doesn't change can't grow.
My biggest regret is that on most songs Todd gets buried in the mix so you can barely tell he's there. I like what he was doing live with What Are You Wiling to Lose and Johnny Davis a lot. Of course, your mileage may vary.
