The Chief is back with his first studio album in nearly three years. If ever there was an album to review to kick off the revival of "Off The Dirt Road", none is more fitting than the newest release from Eric Church. After enjoying critical and commercial success with "Chief" in 2011, bolstered by the radio success of the hit song, "Springsteen", Church took his time with his next effort. Preparing more than 120 songs for potential whittling for this effort.
What results is a perfectly blended hodgepodge of music, pulling from all genres and covering the spectrum of themes. From the, call it "Erratic", opening title track through the trippy ending, Eric Church makes one thing clear - He does his albums the way he wants to. He is clearly not afraid to call out those around him along the way, a point that has been a recurring theme in his albums (see previous songs "Lotta Boot Left To Fill" and "Country Music Jesus").
After the opening track, one that covers more genres than "Freebird" in a shorter time, the album levels out into what could be considered near-perfection. "A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young" is Church's "My Next 30 Years", reflecting on the first 36 years of his life and the woman who chose to love him. "Cold One" throws listeners for a twist, with an interesting guitar as Church laments less about the loss of the girl than the beer she took with her when she left. "Roller Coaster Ride" could likely be the subtitle of the album, describing his life after a breakup, but more accurately describing the ups and downs of the styles of music on the album.
"Talladega" is as close to mainstream as Church is willing to go on "The Outsiders". The song is reminiscent of the aforementioned "Springsteen", and will likely be another smash radio hit for the singer. It also marks a turn in the sound for the album.
The second half of the album is darker, grittier, heavily influenced by rock, country, and outlaw, and is as close to perfect as one can get. Many of the tracks ("Devil, Devil", "Dark Side", "The Joint") would likely be more welcome on a Waylon Jennings or Willie Nelson record than almost anything put out in today's country culture. In fact, it would not be hard to see Church touring with those "Highwaymen" had he been recording when they were recording.
A particularly high point on the album comes in the tracks following Church calling out Rock Bands as fake. Following "That's Damn Rock & Roll" comes a three-part stretch over two songs. "Dark Side" opens with a long rambling guitar with a bass drum background before launching into a reflective song about how far a man will go for his family. The lyrics recall "Lightning" (from Church's "Sinners Like Me" album), and could be considered a prequel track. Following "Dark Side" comes "Devil, Devil" but not before a three minute recitation of a poem Church wrote, describing Nashville as the "Princess Of Darkness", Satan's bride. The poem describes Nashville, particularly the recording industry, as a cesspool:
"A tramp. A slut. A bitch. A mutt./ A thousand pawn shop guitars/ A nasty bitter needle to a vein that feeds a singer's heart/ She lurks in friendly shadows, but she's a junkie with a limp/ The agents are her bookie, and the label's are her pimp."
After the colorful poem, Church launches into "Devil, Devil" rounding out the dark trilogy of the album. Fans who have been clamoring for the old days of "Good country music" will love what "Dark Side", "Princess of Darkness" and "Devil, Devil" have to offer.
Overall, it is hard to find fault with much on "The Outsiders", and even if you could, it is clear that Church would not care. This is clearly a project from his heart, with him pouring himself into a rebellious sound that oozes from every song. After the commercial success of "Chief", it is hard not to expect that this album will not follow suit. Listeners who joined the "Church Choir" after hearing songs like "Springsteen" are going to be in for a surprise though, when they discover that song to be the exception, not the rule to Church's style.
9.5/10.
"The Outsiders" hits shelves and digital media on Tuesday, February 11th.
2012 was a great year for country music. Many artists released new albums this year, though many of the bigger names in the genre were still riding the highs of 2011 albums. Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Justin Moore and Luke Bryan are just some of the artists who did NOT release new albums this year.
The good side of this is that it left country music wide open for new, up and coming artists to take the spotlight. We reviewed some of these artists album this year, though not nearly as many as we would have liked. Some of them are featured in this countdown, while others just did not make the cut.
So without further adieu, the Top 12 Country Albums of 2012:
12. Rachel Farley - The Truth EP - Released in the early part of the year, this young singer did not nearly get the chance to shine as her EP deserved. She did, however, set herself up for success in 2013, opening for Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean. At only 17, this artist is well on her way to a big national debut.
11. Chris Lane Band - Let's Ride - Chris Lane is a small time artist from North Carolina, but the artist already fits in well alongside artists such as Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan. "Let's Ride" features a great combination of rocking country and smooth love ballads.
10. Colt Ford - Declaration of Independence - I have not been shy about my love of the unique sound of Colt Ford in the past. His August release, Declaration of Independence, returned Ford to a sound that made his debut album popular, letting country stars sing while Colt sticks to the rapping. Guest singers include Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks (Of Brook & Dunn) and Corey Smith. The lead single, "Back", featuring Jake Owen, helped Ford score his first #1 Country Album.
9. Toby Keith - Hope On The Rocks - Continuing with the pattern set by 2011's "Clancy's Tavern", Toby Keith kept strong his return to more traditional sounding country music. Gone are the partying days of old, Keith's album features songs that are more reflective in nature. The title track "Hope On The Rocks" is one of the strongest songs TK has released in recent memory.
8. Love & Theft - Self Titled Album - The lead single "Angel Eyes" took country music by storm earlier this year, securing the duo's place in country music. While not a new artist, L&T is likely new to most country listeners. Look for their star to rise even more in 2013.
7. Brian Davis Band - Under the Influence - Another locally known artist deserving of a much bigger stage. BDB's "Under the Influence" rocking country sound will be familiarly comfortable among those who listen to the more modern outlaw side of the genre. Fittingly, Brian Davis Band opened for Brantley Gilbert on his first headlining tour in the second half of the year.
6. Lee Brice - Hard 2 Love - It was a big year for Brice. His sophomore album was met with critical acclaim. The first two singles "A Woman Like You" and "Hard To Love" enjoyed long play on the radio. His third single, "I Drive Your Truck", changes from the love based pace that he is known for, but is still quickly rising up the charts.
5. Thomas Rhett - Self Titled EP - One of my favorite albums of the year, this EP is only so low on the chart because of the shortened length. The son of Rhett Akins, Thomas is enjoying success behind "Something To Do With My Hands", "Beer With Jesus" and opening for Toby Keith this previous Summer.
4. Florida Georgia Line - Here's To The Good Times - FGL's debut album benefited from having an EP released earlier this year, one of our highest rated releases of the year. The lead single, the summer tune, "Cruise", spent multiple weeks on top of the chart, and is still enjoying radio success in the cold months. Look for this duo on the Luke Bryan's "Dirt Road Diaries" tour in 2013.
3. Chase Rice - Dirt Road Communion - A cowriter on the aforementioned "Cruise", Rice did not get much, if any, radio play on his own. Nonetheless, "Dirt Road Communion" remains one of the top albums of the year, and is still a regular in my playlist, despite being released in March.
2. Jason Aldean - Night Train - After having giant years in 2010 and 2011, Aldean continued his success in 2012. His fifth album, "Night Train" features a diverse variety of songs, from the lead single "Take A Little Ride", to the risky "1994" (penned by Thomas Rhett) to the risque "Black Tears" (written by Florida Georgia Line). It is hard to find any song on Night Train that one can classify as a bad song.
1. Kip Moore - Up All Night - Newcomer Kip Moore took radio by storm with the catchy "Somethin' Bout A Truck". His soft, yet gruff, voice combined with a more traditional country sound makes his debut album the most played album on my playlist. Much like Aldean's "Night Train" it is hard to find fault with any of the songs on the album. "Beer Money", the second single from the album, is enjoying commercial success that is sure to make Moore a common sound on the radio in 2013.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Lewis, former lead singer of Staind, released his debut full-length country album, "The Road" late this year. Also of note, after a long break and some time as solo artists, Big and Rich returned together to release "Hillbilly Jedi".
So there it is. The top 12 albums in country music in 2012. We are looking forward to sharing our thoughts on 2013 albums, including new ones from Tim McGraw, Gary Allan, Darius Rucker, Randy Houser, Brad Paisley, Band Perry and George Strait.
Until then, Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you off the dirt road.
Toby Keith is one of the most polarizing performers in country music. Many stand by him and his patriotic views. Others, like me, tire quickly of the political country (a point I have made before on this blog). Nobody, however, can deny that Toby has been extremely successful. This, Keith's 15th album (not counting Christmas or Greatest Hits), will likely become the ninth album to reach #1 on the country albums chart.
Made In America - Keith leads off with not only the ONLY political song on the album, it is probably the least divisive political song he has released. "Made In America" also became Toby's 20th #1 single. The song is about his father, who is American to his core: "He's got the red, white, blue flyin' high on his farm/ 'Semper Fi' tattooed on his left arm/ Spend a little more in the store for a tag in the back says 'USA'/ Won't buy nothin' that he can't fix/ With WD-40 and a Craftsman wrench/ He ain't prejudiced/ He's just/ Made in America" Keith sings in the chorus. The anthem is a good picture of who Toby is and will resonates with a lot of country music fans.
I Need To Hear A Country Song - Toby follows up with a song about heartbreak. He does not want to go through what he is going alone. He wants to share his experience, even if it is not with someone physically in the room. Many can relate to the words: "I need to hear a loser cryin'/ Songs about a love that's dying/ Lyin' Cheatin' to the bone/ Three chord, stone cold country song".
Clancy's Tavern - The title track is actually a follow-up of sorts to the song "Honkytonk U" from 2005. This, a waltz with an Irish drinking song tone, is more of a tribute to his grandmother than the previously mentioned track. Although it is not the second music video to come from the album, it is the second single. The song is a breath of fresh air, breaking away from the standard sound of country music.
Tryin' To Fall In Love - The title of the song betrays it's mood. I expected another slow song about attempts at love, but what I got is a fun, upbeat song. "If women come a dime a dozen/ I ain't got a penny/ Some guys are gettin' way too much/ Some guys don't get any/ But if I had a nickel for every time I've had enough/ I'd still be busted and heartbroken/ Still tryin' to fall in love".
Just Another Sundown - Toby moves back to the heartbreak songs here. The song is not one that stands out, but the acoustic melody really adds to the feeling.
Beers Ago - "Beers Ago" is an example of the my only real complaint about this album, the mixing does not flow well. "Beers" is what Toby does really well, a fast-paced, fun country song. The problem is that it is sandwiched between "Sundown" and "South Of You", both songs about heartbreak. Unlike most artists, this is Keith's own fault, as he not only recorded the album, but he produced it as well.
South Of You - As mentioned, Keith comes back to the heartbreak song once again. This one, honestly, feels a little more suited as a Kenny Chesney song, as Keith sings about getting away from the girl by sailing out to the islands. There is nothing inherently wrong with the song, but it does not feel like what we are used to from Toby.
Club Zydeco Moon - Not sure what it is about Toby, but he seems to have a weak spot for strippers (See "Bullets in the Gun" off his previous album of the same name). This song comes across as an alternate ending for that song, sort of describing what would have happened if they had not run off together to Mexico. The answer? More heartbreak, with Toby eventually avoiding the bar where he met the girl.
I Won't Let You Down - Rather than a heartbreak song, Toby is finally singing about making love work. The song is great advice for women, men are not perfect. If you do not expect us to be, we will not let you down. It is not about convincing girls to lower their standards, but it is about letting us surprise you with what we ARE capable of, instead of being disappointed by what we are not.
Red Solo Cup - A song that Keith himself accurately describes as "Adorable and very very stupid", this song will get stuck in your head and show no signs of leaving for days. The song is a tribute to what Toby describes in the opening line as "the best receptacle/ For barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals/" The song is several run-on sentences, but is so much fun that it is sure to be a hit. The music video features cameos from Jeff Dunham, Larry Bird, Craig Ferguson, Carrot Top, Ted Nugent and fellow country star Eric Church.
Chill-axin' - Another song that sounds better suited for Kenny Chesney, Keith closes out the main part of the album with a song about getting away from it all, whether to the beach or out to the country. The song feels really awkward following "Red Solo Cup" and the album probably would have benefited from flipping the order of the last two songs.
Overall, it is nice to hear Toby Keith step away from much of his political grandstanding that has dominated the artist for several years. This creates an album everyone can enjoy, regardless of political affiliation. The only problem that this album presents is a poor distribution of songs. The album would have been much improved if they had sat back and listened a little closer to the flow between the songs. If not for that, the album would have gotten a much higher rating: 7/10
Note: The deluxe edition of the album features Toby Keith's band, the Incognito Banditos, doing live covers of four songs: Waylon Jennings' "High Time (You Quit Your Low Down Ways)", Buck Owens' "Truck Drivin' Man", Three Dog Night's "Shambala" and Chuck Berry's "Memphis".
With two prior albums (both reaching #2 on the country charts), four EPs and two #1 singles (plus having wrote Billy Currington's #1 Hit "Good Directions) under his belt, it is safe to say that Luke Bryan has moved beyond "Rising Star" and into "Established" in the country realm. His laid back attitude, coupled with a mix of love ballads and party anthems have earned him a place in the spotlight.
His third full-length album, "Tailgates & Tanlines" has already produced a hit single which currently sits at #4 on the charts.
Country Girl (Shake It For Me) - Luke kicks off the album with the aforementioned single, and it is already a hit in the bars and on the radio. The party anthem tells of Luke's anxiousness to watch his girl put on a show for him, shaking what she has for everyone, but most importantly, for him: "Shake it for the young bucks sittin' in the honky tonks/ For the rednecks rockin' 'till the break of dawn/ The DJ spinnin' that country song/ Come on, come on, come on/ Shake it for the birds, shake it for the bees/ Shake it for the catfish swimmin' down deep in the creek/ For the crickets and the critters and the squirrels/ shake it for the moon/ shake it for me girl/ Country girl shake it for me, girl". The song is definitely catchy and easy to sing along to, and likely will be a #1 here shortly. Enjoy the music video:
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye - Much like Chris Young's "Tomorrow", Luke is knowingly at the end of the relationship, but is ready for one more night before it is over. Admittedly, the only thing they do right is make love, and that is exactly how they are going to say goodbye: "Take off your leavin' dress/ Let's do what we do best/ I guess everybody's got their way of movin' on/ Girl rest your head one more night in my bed/ Love me like you loved me when you loved me/ and you didn't have to try/ Let's lay down tonight/ and kiss tomorrow goodbye". The song is a much faster, more upbeat song than "Tomorrow" and fits well as a combination of Luke's styles.
Drunk On You - A song that could easily be what is song later in the night from "Country Girl", "Drunk On You" is a summer love ballad that will likely be a single come next April/May. It tells of a party out in the woods, with trucks, crown, and most importantly, a beautiful woman, and Luke is enjoying every minute of all of it, describing himself as "A little drunk on you/ And high on summertime". It is a great bonfire song along the lines of Brantley Gilbert's "My Kinda Party".
Too Damn Young - One of the things this album does really well is start to paint a story. This song follows "Drunk On You" perfectly, as the sun comes up over a dock where Luke and his girl spent the night. Bryan reminisces on the night, realizing that he had been foolish to believe his feelings of the night: "Every time my feet are dangling in the water/ I can't help but think about her lying there, with her wet hair" he sings, later finishing the chorus with "She kissed me like she meant forever/ We were too damn young to know any better"
I Don't Want This Night To End - Once again, a beautiful woman is the object of Luke's attention, this time singing about the girl riding shotgun as they cruise through the town and the country throughout the night, wanting to prolong it as much as possible. "You got your hands up/ You're rockin' in my truck/ You got the radio on/ You're singing every song/ ... / Girl, all I know is I don't want this night to end". The song is reminiscent of Brantley Gilbert's "Back In The Day" and would probably go well in the mix. The guitar near the end is fantastic and is easy to learn and sing along to.
You Don't Know Jack - Country has always been known for teaching lessons, and this song is no exception, starting out with a man begging for a dollar, whom Luke promptly turns down. Before long, the man is explaining that he is right for thinking that he is going to use it to buy alcohol, but "You don't know Jack/ Double shot, eighty proof, on the rocks/ Until you've lost it all/ And you can't go back/ To your life, and your kids, and your ex-wife/ With just a telephone call/ If you think it's just a bottle/ In an old brown paper sack/ You don't know Jack".
Harvest Time - Honestly, my least favorite Luke Bryan songs are the ones like this. I guess because I did not grow up on a farm, I cannot relate. Regardless, it is Autumn, time for football, but more importantly, it is time for the tractors to line up, get fueled up, and begin harvesting the crops. For me, this is one of the forgettable tracks, as nothing really stands out.
I Know You're Gonna Be There - Luke is out for revenge against the girl who broke his heart. He knows that she is going to be at the bar he is going to, so he is looking to make her jealous. He puts on a new shirt, shines up his boots and brings a girl he is going to kiss when he knows she is looking. Everybody has been there, but, if they are honest with themselves, they admit what Luke does at the end "I'm gonna put on my new shirt/ Shine up these old boots/ Truth is when I see ya/ I don't know what I'll do". The song is very relatable, even if it does not impress musically.
Muckalee Creek Water - Bryan has returned home, and when he does, he gets immersed in it, both literally and figuratively. The instant he dips his feet in the creek where he grew up, "Let the stock market do what it's gonna do/ Let the dollar go down and gas soar through the roof". He does not care, he is able to be himself here. The southern rock tone makes for a good recovery from the last two tracks.
Tailgate Blues - Slowing it down again, the song sounds like it draws musical inspiration from Travis Tritt's "Great Day To Be Alive", but with the opposite attitude. Luke's woman has left him. Instead of doing what most country stars do and running to a bar, he retreats to the woods and the bed of his truck instead. I relate to this method more, preferring to be alone to reminisce than to drown the sorrows, so I actually like this song, and enjoy the twist on the "My baby left me..." genre of country.
Been There, Done That - Sounds like Luke has learned his lesson after his ordeal in "Do I" on his previous album. Realizing that there is nothing left, and that she has manipulated him into the man she wants him to be instead of the man he really is, the singer realizes he is done and is moving on: "Cause I ain't, I ain't comin' back/ I've already been there, done that/ And I'm done with you messin' with my mind/ The last time was the last time baby". Luke has a unique way of staying upbeat in the normally down in the dumps songs that is refreshing.
Faded Away - Luke spends a lot of time reminiscing on past loves on this album, and this song continues that theme. As such, this song fades into the background, much like the girl in the song does.
I Knew You That Way - Closing out the album with another slow song about past love, Bryan at least uses vivid imagery to paint a beautiful picture of it. It is rather disappointing that he did not at least try to end the album with a high note like he started it.
Overall, "Tailgates & Tanlines" is not an impressive album. It suffers in a number of places. Several of the songs feel repetitive, and all of the songs feel slow after the opening "Country Girl". I kept waiting for the pace to pick back up, as it did on his previous album, "Doin' My Thing", but ended up disappointed. The beginning of the album made me wish that it had been released earlier in the year for two reasons: 1. They felt more "summer-ish" which did not fit with a mid-summer release, and 2. It is going to be overshadowed by some of the stronger albums released already (Blake Shelton, Eric Church, Justin Moore). On the positive side, the flow from one song to the next felt more natural than most albums. Also, as I pointed out, many of the songs felt like they were telling a story. Luke does a great job of expressing his feelings, but after rocking the opening track, the rest of the album left me wanting more. 6/10
Colt Ford is one of those artists that causes a division among fans of country music. Fans of the more historical side of the genre say that rap has no place in country music. Others, like myself, will say that country music is not about the instruments and the style in which it is played, but the words, and the feeling behind them is what makes it "country". This division is evident when you compare the two albums the Georgia Boy has released prior to "Every Chance I Get", released a couple months ago in early May. Those who praised his debut album, "Ride Through The Country", downed "Chicken and Biscuits" (Colt's sophomore release) as being too much singing and not enough of the rap that made his music unique.
One thing is for certain, Colt Ford is a rising star in the genre, whether you call it country, rap, or some mix. He is currently celebrating having penned a number one song, Dirt Road Anthem, which he and buddy Brantley Gilbert penned and recorded, before allowing Jason Aldean to take it, make it his own, and take it to the top of the charts. Colt also has no problems making friends with fellow country artists, both established and rising stars. Previous albums have included collaborations with John Michael Montgomery, Jamey Johnson, Darryl Worley, Randy Houser, DMC, Kevin Fowler, Joe Nichols, Rhett Akins, Josh Gracin and more. "Every Chance I Get" is no exception, with all but the title track featuring a special guest, and I believe that Colt has found the perfect blend of country and rap to satisfy both fans and critics of the first two albums.
Country Thang - This song features Eric Church, one of the fastest rising names in country music today. It was also the first single released from the song. The two artists work together well to paint a picture of a small town, and subsequently, his small town girl, describing it all as being "a country thang" that is "either in your blood or it ain't". It serves as a great anthem for anyone who has grown up in a rural town, with dirt roads and bird dogs, and definitely sets the mood for what turns out to be a great driving album.
Work It Out - The upbeat pace continues as Luke Bryan lends his voice to the chorus of this song, which expresses every husband or boyfriend's frustrations at how life gets overbearing. Bills are stacked high, the lawn needs "mown", the truck is broken down. There is just not enough time to get everything done, but when it comes down to it, they know that they can "work it out" with their baby by their side, saying "Baby it's true/ all I need is you/ Just unplug the phone/ Let me get you all alone/ and work it out/ why don't we start right now?".
Waste Some Time - Nappy Roots (Southern Rappers from Kentucky) and Nic Cowan (Debut Album coming in August) join Colt on one of my favorite songs of the album. The group has decided that instead of taking everyone's advice to "Focus on my life/ work a little harder/ do my part/ start living right", they just want to waste some time and kick back and enjoy the world around them. The rhythm and guitar picking (definitely drawing inspiration from "Sweet Home Alabama") when combined with the lyrics leave one picturing the group cruising down the road in pickup trucks and having fun. Colt Ford actually takes more of a backseat in this song, really only performing the first verse and letting the others get the spotlight for a bit. This is recognized later, when one of the rappers thanks both God and Colt: "Got a little wealth so I gotta thank the Lord/ Couldn't do it by myself, got some help from Colt Ford". Overall, though it slows the pace set by the first two songs a little bit, the song is very catchy and you will find yourself bobbing your head along.
Do It With My Eyes Closed - Josh Thompson ("Beer On The Table", "Way Out Here") is the guest on what I consider to actually be one of the weakest songs on the album. The song just sounds too much like "Work It Out", talking about how hard life can be, "But loving you's so easy/ I could do it with my eyes closed/ Day and Night/ Night and Day/ Sound asleep/ wide awake/ Loving you is something I know". It just does not have that hook that the rest of the songs do, and so close after "Work It Out" just does not fit with the rest of the album.
This Is Our Song - Danny Boone of Rehab ("Sittin at a Bar/The Bartender Song") joins Colt in this credo/anthem of the country lifestyle. Fans who do not enjoy the rap aspect of Ford's music are not going to enjoy this, but may find themselves relating to the statements nonetheless: "Folks 'round still believe in God/ and the right tote a gun/ and our flag don't run/ ain't askin' you for nothin'/ if we can't get it on our own/ tell the government to leave our check and church alone". Later, at the end of the chorus, they challenge those who disagree "And if you don't like/ then don't come around". It is one of the stronger songs on an amazingly strong album.
Titty's Beer - As one can guess from the title, this is easily the funniest song on the album, and Trent Tomlinson ("One Wing In The Fire", "She Just Might Have Her Radio On") joins the 300 pound rapper as he tells the story of his Uncle Titus, who wants to sell his own beer. Titus realizes that he can make money, not off of taste, but off of the name: "He called it Titty's, Titty's, Titty's Beer/ Just the thing to get you grinnin' ear to ear/ Whether you're from the country or the big ole city/ One thing's for sure, EVERYBODY LOVES TITTY'S!". I know that about the time of the second line of the chorus, I found myself laughing my head off, and while it is not a "Strong" song, the innuendos of selling it in "Jugs" and having Dolly Parton in the ads, definitely makes it among the best songs.
She Wants To Ride In Trucks - Colt Ford finally slows the album down for what he considers his favorite song of the album, and he has found the perfect guy to join him for a sentimental song for his daughter, Craig Morgan ("Bonfire", "Redneck Yacht Club", "Tough"). The song tells the story of being a father, and the struggles of raising a teenage daughter that he is so close with: "It seems like yesterday we were bringing you home/ I was so scared to hold you/ now I'm scared to let go" sings Colt, and the emotion is evident. The song continues as Colt sees himself in the boy she brings home, and while the theme is a bit overdone in the country genre, Ford and Morgan do a great job of painting the picture of a father looking out a screen door as she drives off.
Pipe The Sunshine In - Newcomer Tyler Farr and Colt Ford combine on what is actually one of the more forgettable songs on the album. "Pipe The Sunshine In" has a fun chorus, but like "Trucks" above, the idea of living in the middle of nowhere and making your own moonshine has been overdone. Unfortunately, there is not much to distinguish this song from any other like it.
Every Chance I Get - The only song on the album without a guest appearance, Colt and his band handle this one on their own. The song is a improvement of "Pipe", but still is not a standout, talking about growing up and getting out of the party life for a woman:: "And now/ I only do it every chance I get/ It ain't a habit/ I got a handle on it/ It ain't an all day everyday thing/ Unless I think I can./ I used to do it every morning noon and night/ Now I could stop it/ and I ain't lying/ I slowed down so much, you could say I quit/ Cause now I only do it every chance I get". The guitar in the song is definitely the highlight in an otherwise mediocre song.
What I Call Home - Eventually, every artist does a tribute to his fans, and Colt enlists JB and the Moonshine Band to help him with this one. Colt goes on a rap about all the places he has visited, hitting pretty much every state on the way, which gets old after a while, however, he truly does sound grateful for the opportunities that the fans have given him over the years, embracing an artist that blurs the lines of country music.
Overworked & Underpaid - The legendary Charlie Daniels joins in on the last of the string of "re-hashed" country songs that make up most of the second half of the album. This one is a tribute to all of those "Overworked and underpaid/ the one's who make this country great". Colt dedicates this song to everyone from the Soldiers, Police, and Firemen to the teachers and those who work hard to bring us the music. The real shame of this song is the lack of showcasing Charlie Daniels' fiddlin' skills. There is a brief solo about the two-minute mark, but not nearly strong to distinguish it from anything that anyone who knows how to play could do.
Skirts & Boots - Up and Coming artist Frankie Ballard ("Tell Me You Get Lonely" and "A Buncha Girls") helps bring the life back to the album, and the party. This song could easily be a popular bar song, as that is exactly what it is about, the girls who go, and the boys who go to see them. The song could easily be a sequel to "All About Ya'll" from the previous album, "Chicken and Biscuits". I see this song being a potential upcoming single for Colt, after "She Likes To Ride In Trucks" is done.
Twisted - This is a song that Colt originally recorded and put on his debut album ("Ride Through The Country"), but this time, he has convinced none other than Tim McGraw to sing the chorus on the track. When the original album came out, this song did not strike me as that great, but quickly grew to be one of my favorites and still is. The song does not sound too much different with McGraw than it did with his bandmates, but is still a solid song to end the album with, telling the story of a young adult, faced with the choice of staying in his small town after high school, or going to "chase the bright lights of the California nights" by going to play football for UCLA. He chooses the latter, but after getting laughed at for ordering sweet tea, he realizes everything that he left and heads home where he belongs.
Overall, Colt Ford has put out a solid album, whose only real flaw is that the second half sounds too indistinguishable from the themes of every other country song out there. However, Colts unique blend of styles makes the most of it and the album makes great driving music. This is Ford at his best, doing a solid mix of the country and rap and is sure to have something to please even the staunchest critics. 8/10
Next, I will review Chris Young's newest offering, "Neon"
