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Though often disparaged by music critics, Chicago maintained a consistent output--and sold millions of records in the process--from their first album in 1969 right into the early 2000s. They dabbled variously in rock, jazz, and R&B before settling into smooth, adult-contemporary fare in the 1980s, becoming staples of MOR radio. 2006's XXX is a return to that MOR sound, with sweet memorable melodies that recall the band's Peter Cetera-led heyday.
"King of Might Have Been" is a fine example, finding a place alongside the best of Chicago's mainstream power ballads. "Feel (Hot Single Mix)" traffics a bit in the textures of electronica, but beneath that the sound is, unmistakably, Chicago. The production from Rascal Flatts' member Jay Demarcus is sharp and crisp and brightens the overall sound while showcasing the band's classic elements. XXX is perhaps Chicago's most consistent pop release since 1991's TWENTY 1.
Audio Mixers: James Matchack; Jeff Balding.
Recording information: Cartee Day Studios, Nashville, TN; Emerald ENtertainment, Nashville, TN; Glenwood Place Studios, Burbank, CA; Secret Sound, Nashville, TN; Sound Stage Studios, Nashville, TN; Studio J, Nashville, TN; Westlake Audio, Hollywood, CA.
Photographers: Hugh Brown ; Jimmy Katz.
Arrangers: Jay DeMarcus; James Matchack.
Chicago: Bill Champlin (guitar, keyboards); Keith Howland (guitar, background vocals); Walter Parazaider (woodwinds); Robert Lamm (keyboards); Jason Scheff (electric bass); James Pankow, Lee Loughnane, Tris Imboden.
Personnel: Jay DeMarcus (vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, programming); Bill Champlin (vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Robert Lamm (vocals, piano, Wurlitzer organ); Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney, Jason Scheff, Shelly Fairchild (vocals); Dan Huff, Dean DeLeo, Yankton Mingua, Keith Howland (guitar); Tom Bukovac (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Walter Parazaider (flute, saxophone); Lee Loughnane (trumpet, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn); Lee Thornberg (trumpet); James Pankow (trombone); James Matchack (keyboards); John Brockman, Tris Imboden, Steve Brewster (drums); Joseph "Gospel Joe" Williams, Bobby Kimball (background vocals).
Additional personnel: Gary LeVox, Joe Don Rooney, Jay DeMarcus.
Chicago XXX Music Review
Average Rating: (3.7 out of 5 stars)    List All 28 Reviews Chicago's 30. Album is without exception good!
Chicago is one of the few band's or the single, that almost do 40 years of music and still tour constant.
So, album "XXX" is a positive surprise: I would not have thought that Chicago still does such a good album. To the one, half contains the album ballads, to the other half more progressive songs. Both types of the fans are served well: The 80er - years "ballad-fans" and the 70er - years "brassrock-fans." Great production, great singers, great brass, thank you Chicago and Jay DeMarcus!!
Submitted by AConstro (Saarlouis, Germany) 
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No 1 of 1 found this helpful.
 THANK GOD, THEY ARE BACK
MORE THAN 10 YEARS AFTER OF CHICAGO 21 ARRIVES XXX, IT IS A GREAT ALBUM MY FAVORITE ONE IS "WHERE WERE YOU", THEY ARE PLAYING LIKE IN THE OLD GOOD TIMES, THIS RECORD IS SUPERIOR THAN THEY RECORDED IN CHICAGO 26 AS UNRELEASED TRACKS. I HOPE THEY COME SOON TO MEXICO AGAIN TO HEAR THE NEW MATERIAL ALIVE
Submitted by nahumhernandez75 (MEXICO CITY)
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 I would have wanted better!
I really thought that Chicago would have gone all out on their 30th release. The first few songs are pretty good, but by the time you get to the end of this disc I get tired of it. Its not even as good as their last studio-recorded CD with all of their new songs on it, which would be "21." For the Chicago collector, this CD is a good one. FOr the average to above average listener go back to the 2nd and 3rd albums.
Submitted by johnacarolyne (Dallas, TExas)
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Still Tight After All These Years
Another disc of solid musicianship from the current lineup of Chicago. The difference on this outing is the syrupy, smoky haze of stellar production of David Foster, Humberto Gatica, Chas Sanford and Ron Nevison is gone. I'm not saying that like it's a bad thing, as I loved Chicago with heavy production but Chicago "Stripped" still shows what a great bunch of musicians these guys still are and always have been. Little to no processing on instruments or vocals [there are a few verbs, delays and keyboard/sequencers/loops, but if you can find them, they're ALL the way in the back] this is a solid bunch of songs accomplished only as Chicago can do them. Four out of five stars because I wasn't dazzled through the first listen, but I did have a smile on my face the whole time. Standout cuts: '90 Degrees and Freezing', 'Lovin Chains' & 'Feel'. Thanks guys - as always it was worth the wait!
Submitted by rjmarques1 (Scottsdale, AZ, USA)
Was This Review Helpful? Yes No Legendary Band still has the Chops!
Chicago XXX shows that this very talented band can still bring it. Tracks 7 through 10, however, really show how great this band still is.
Submitted by Devin (St. Louis, MO, USA)
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