Can't Wait to See the Movie is the seventh solo studio album by English singer, songwriter and actor Roger Daltrey, the lead vocalist for The Who. The album was released in mid 1987 on the record label Atlantic, and was primarily produced by Alan Shacklock, in association with David Foster, Chas Sanford and Jimmy Scott. Among the songs Daltrey is credited as co-writer on two tracks "Balance on Wires" and "Take Me Home". David Foster co-wrote the track "The Price of Love", which was also featured in the 1987 movieThe Secret of My Success starring Michael J. Fox. Can't Wait to See the Movie is a pop album that incorporates some genres such as funk, rock, and jazz, and it makes prominent use of the synthesizer. The album was received negatively by the majority of music critics, with some critics describing its music as inauthentic and bemoaning the production as too polished. It was also a commercial disappointment, missing the album charts in Europe and the US. One critic referred to it as "Can't Wait to Sell the Record," while other reviewers noted good points to the recordings. When asked about the album at the time, Daltrey said that "It's amazing after all these years how everything can become new and fun again."
Composition
Unlike Daltrey's previous album, Under a Raging Moon, there was a move towards a much more polished studio production as Daltrey chose to utilize drum machines heavily instead of live drums. Hence, although Tony Beard is credited as drummer on the album's liner notes, he actually contributed very little drumming. The album's only UK top 100 hit, "Hearts of Fire", was written by Russ Ballard. Ballard played the guitar on this track, as well as providing background vocals. Ballard also wrote and performed on Daltrey's first two solo albums, Daltrey and Ride a Rock Horse. Daltrey recorded some other Ballard originals for his McVicar soundtrack and his previous album Under a Raging Moon. This album remains his final contribution from Ballard.
Critical reception
Review
Reviewing for AllMusic, critic Mike DeGagne wrote of the album "Knowing the potential that is harnessed within Daltrey, his half-hearted attempts at unleashing the pains built up by failed romances doesn't add up to much. Some uplifting sax played by Gary Barnacle keeps the album from being a total write-off as it surfaces here and there, but a lifeless array of synthesizers droning in the backdrop of every song nullifies even the smallest asset, while adding to the pretentiousness."
Track listing
The original US album track listing is as follows:
