Album Review: Miranda Lambert - Four The Record

Miranda Lambert has had an awesome, but busy year with the Pistol Annies, not to mention her new marriage to Blake Shelton (who is also featured on her album, song Better In The Long Run). Also this is her 4th album that has gone to number 1. This makes her the only country artist to have their 4 records go to number 1 on the country charts.

So CONGRATS to Lambert.

All kinds of kind: First time around listening to this song it took me 30 seconds to tell that this was NOT her normal style. Then questioning why she was talking about Ilas who was an acrobat, or congressman dressing up in dresses to realize that if you open the box, the people living in there are some weird, crazy, insane people in this world. Even then, it takes all kinds of kind to make the world go round. This song makes me want to get to know those people, just to experience a different side of the world so I can say "guess what I am a kind." (What's with the minute and half that's nothing but music radio station are going to cut the song off short???)

Fine Tune: I almost missed the first line were she says "I've been missing all the vital signs" if I had not gone back. Is she trying to state a point with the title "Fine Tune" and the way you cant understand what shes saying unless you read the lyrics with the song??? Not my favorite at all. kinda sounds like she's bored, but makes a great point of guys; they turn all the loose strings, kiss you from your wrist to your neck and running your fingers through my hair. All I've got to say to that is ewwwww la la (read that slow if you don't understand) kinda cant wait for Christmas when I see my man.

Fastest Girl In Town: Powerful kind of attitude I love from her. A style she should keep. It describes the "I don't care what people think" fire that people in the music business need. It's your life! So live it to the fullest not what you think people want you to you do. So Rock On! Kick Some Ass :-)

Safe: Sounds like my relationship with my boyfriend. I always feel safe with him, and I hope he feels the same. "I'll spend forever making sure I can erase every tear you ever thought about crying" basically love him through everything knowing this song is about Blake Shelton. Ahh love.

Mama's Broken Heart: When I hear this song it makes me think of the olden day mamas. "Powder your nose, paint your toes, line your lips and keep'em closed, cross your legs, dot your I's, and never let them see you cry" "Run and hide your crazy, start acting like a lady," but I guess she has not seen the country girls in Fayetteville, NC. Love the song Reminds me of my dad. hahaha

Dear Diamond: I can relate to getting a new ring. "Perfectly flawless, to good to be true." She goes on by saying "Promise to never do what I've done, I've lied to someone." Everyone has their own dark secrets but when it comes down to it do you want to "Lie like the devil or just face the truth?" Everything about this song makes me wonder should they be getting married??  I mean hiding your poop sounds from them when you first get married is one thing or even dating, but "what he don't know WILL kill him," makes you question?? That closet must be deep if you don't think he won't find out.

Same Old You: Kinda makes me think this song came from a drunk person one night or a day were you realize WTF am I doing in this relationship. Same old complaints of a person who wants to leave but when their about to walk out the front door for good they looks back and all your can see is the good time. It draws you back to that no good life.

Baggage Claim:  Enjoy the music video for this one

Easy Living: Short, and to the point. A kiss in the morning (no coffee for me) "It's easy living, it's easy loving you."

Over You: Blake Shelton is the true artist of this song. They interviewed Miranda Lambert and she states that it was a very emotional time and this song is all about his brother who died when Shelton was in his teen years. Lambert goes on to say that the reason she sings the song is because Shelton didn't want to have to get up on stage to relive a horrible time in his life every day, week, month, year. The song gives off this emotional hurt, but knowing of protection. Even though Shelton chooses not to sing this song, Lambert pulls off this elegant, beautiful sound. This song is his history.

Look At Miss Ohio: I feel myself getting bored now. This song is one of many on this album that has no emotion to it. It's just got this tempo/sound of okay lets get this over with. I have never been more ill interested in a song. It talks about a Miss Ohio wanting to get married but not now and all her mom is doing is pushing her in to it. Okay I know when my parents try to push me in to something it pisses me off. WHERE IS THE EMOTION, the fire, anything? This song sounds like Lambert is an on-looking party, but still where's the interest that grabbed your attention to even make this song? Was this song a last minute addition because she had nothing else in her life to write about?

Better In The Long Run: Well yes I like this song but i don't blame Blake Shelton or Miranda Lambert for this song. This song makes you think does this song represent them when NO one knew they were dating for almost 3 years? Is this what they thought at one point about there relationship? Although I love the meaning cause lord knows I've been in that type of situation; the chorus sounds like they both are yelling at the microphone to be heard over the other. While I love them as separate indiviuals as well as a couple, I don't think singing together sounds right. There both dominant so having them sing together at times sounds like a pissed off cat looking for a fight. They would be better off in a slow romantic song.

Nobody's Fool: I really don't have anything to say about this song. Its a pretty simple song of a break up and the guy moving on or trying to rub the next girl in her face. Replacement is no fun, but then again there's plenty of fish in the sea.

Oklahoma Sky: Before I even played this song I looked at how long the song was(4:47), then I assumed there would be a lot of lyrics but when i looked it up the song was 3 paragraphs. In my mind I'm guessing there's a lot of instrumental parts. This song to me has a lot of mystery. I've listened to the song over and over but all I know is that it deals with a lot of love.

Although It took me longer to review this album then I thought; it was an okay album. I saw MTV featuring Miranda Lambert and she talked so high about this album that I had high expectations. Especially since she states it has a lot of her personality, and that it shows her curiosity with the different styles. So Congrats and good luck with the marriage. 6.5/10

(I would love to sit down with her and ask about some of these songs because they have so much mystery to them. Even to get it straight if this album is all about Blake Shelton and her or not?)


~Lynzee

Album Review: Joe Nichols - It's All Good

Joe Nichols returns with his first album in almost three years. The "Gimme That Girl" singer, known for his more suave singing voice released his seventh album on November 8th. "It's All Good" has already produced one single, "Take It Off", which did not perform well.

The "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" singer continues in his typical style, which is very similar to that of Kenny Chesney. It is a fun-loving, but romantic style, albeit without Chesney's beach tone to it. "Take It Off" and "The More I Look" embody this perfectly, with the latter having more of a bar party attitude and the former being more of a beach party.

"Somebody's Mama" tells the story of getting a tattoo covering up an angel tattoo from the past. The singer reminisces on a past love as he shares with the artist: "She used to say all she wanted babies/ And I was too young to slow down/ But I figure she's probably somebody's mama by now".

The next two songs, the title track and "This Ole Boy" return to the idea of life being perfect as long as he has his woman with him. In "It's All Good", Nichols paints a picture of everything around him falling apart, but as long as he is sitting in the shade with his love, well, you get the picture. "This Ole Boy", a song that will also appear on Craig Morgan's forthcoming album, continues that same feeling. Both are feel-good songs and either of them will likely end up as a single before he releases his next album.

"I Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a romantic ballad that is sure to be sung between lovers for years to come. The Arkansas native does not care what is going on around him, whether it be two moons in the sky, a meteor shower or anything, he simply cannot stop looking at his girl.

After painting the picture of a perfect life with a perfect love for several songs, the "Brokenheartsville" singer takes a fall and hits the bottom with "No Truck, No Boat, No Girl". He acknowledges this fall in the chorus, as the song closes: "Seems like yesterday I was sittin' on top of the world/ Man ain't supposed to live this way/ No truck, no boat, no girl/ Some things just can't be replaced/ No truck, no boat, no girl"

Nichols returns to love for the last three songs of the album. "Never Gonna Give You Up" talks about all the habits, mostly drinking into the early hours, that he is more than willing to give up in exchange for a woman's love. "She's Just Like That" is a descriptive song about how perfect the woman is. Closing out the album, "How I Wanna Go" is a very reflective song, comparative like "Never Gonna Give You Up" in that it shows how different his life is since meeting his love. None of these songs stands out, but they are typical Joe Nichols, and none of them are bad either.

"It's All Good" is far from the strongest album that has been put out in country music this year, but it is far from the worst as well. Every song on the album is typical Joe Nichols, with him not taking any risks from the formula that has worked for him in the past. 6.5/10


You can pick up the album here from Google's new music store for $7.99

We are on Google+!!!!

I am planning on having a review for you by the end of the day, but in the mean time, we are now on Google+!  You can circle use here:

Update

Sorry for the break in reviews.  I am in the process of moving from Korea to California and have not had much time.  Reviews should be back by the end of the month with music by Josh Gracin, Joe Nichols and many more

Micro-Review: Kevin Fowler - Chippin' Away

Note: Have some extra time, so finally doing micro-reviews of some of the albums I never got around to reviewing.  Expect quite a few in the coming days.

I mentioned back in the Eli Young Band review, that I do not know what makes certain music "Texas Country". I will admit, though, that the two albums I have heard in that genre this year have been fantastic.  Kevin Fowler's "Chippin' Away" is another one that will likely not be recognized much outside of the Lone Star State, but with party songs like "Hell Yeah I Like Beer" and "Beer Money" coupled with the serious "Daddy's And Daughters" and the fun "Girl In A Truck" and "That Girl", the singer should be bigger than he is.  The only weak points on the album are "Big River" and "Do That With You Gone".  The closing track, "Knocked Up" is a live performance, and the content, while borderline inappropriate (sings about getting a girl not quite out of high school pregnant), will have you laughing. 9/10

Kevin Fowler's "Chippin' Away" is available here from Amazon.com

Album Review: Montgomery Gentry - Rebels On The Run

Montgomery Gentry, a duo known for their hard-partying music is back with their first album in three years.  "Rebels On The Run", the groups seventh studio album, is the first to be released on Average Joe's Entertainment (co-owned by Colt Ford).  The duo has never had a #1 album to date, maybe this will be their first:

Damn Right I Am - The lead-off track to the album is a rocking anthem about being proud of who you are and where you are from.  The song has political undertones, but does a good job of avoiding overdoing it.  The real highlight of the song is the guitar near the end.

Ain't No Law Against That - This is the type of song the Montgomery Gentry is known for.  A hard-rocking party tune.  Following in the footsteps of "One In Every Crowd" and "Hell Yeah", the song reminds me a lot of "Nobody Feelin' No Pain" off of the recently released Jake Owen album.  It is definitely a great drinking song that, knowing these guys, will end up as a future single.

Damn Baby - The third song on the album slows it down, but only a bit and leads off with the question every couple asks: "Damn baby/ Are we crazy?/ Crazy enough to think that maybe/ We might make it".  The pace of the song is just the right speed to serve as a solid transition between the second and fourth tracks.

Empty - One of the great things about Montgomery Gentry is that they do not focus a lot on heartbreak.  "Empty" is one of only two songs on the album with that theme.  The problem with this track though, is that the contrast in feeling is too great between the verses and the chorus.  The former feels genuine, but something about the way the latter is sung feels a bit forced.

Where I Come From - The first single from the album returns to the mood set by "Damn Right I Am", being proud of where you are from.  The song could almost serve as a sequel to "My Town", a song off of their album of the same name.  The music video tells a pretty emotional story:

Note: I would like to thank Montgomery Gentry for this video.  As a Soldier, it is nice to see a music video in which a Soldier is in combat AND survives.  There are music videos of Soldiers coming home but do not have them in combat (Trace Adkins' "All I Ask For Anymore") and videos of them in combat, but not coming home (Jason Aldean's "Tattoos On This Town"), but it is nice to see a video show combat and have a happy ending.

I Like Those People - A tribute to people who are real, and true to themselves and each other.  Musically, it sounds like it fits more to a barroom ballad, but the bluesy beat fits the mood of the song.  The song does not necessarily fit where it is on the album, but it still ended up being one of my favorites.

Rebels On The Run - The album's title track takes the duo back to their younger days: partying, loving, and making the most of their lives.  "We snuck in all the hometown games/ And played chicken with midnight trains/ Old timers swore/ We were insane/ Rebels on the run/  We made a beer bottle pact/ Behind Bernie's store that/ We would always be one for all/ And all for one/ Rebels on the run."  My money is on this being the next single from the album, and deservedly so.

Simple Things - MG cranks up the guitar on this track celebrating the "Simple Things" in life, like 4th of July parades, fishing, and driving down a dirt road with a girl.  Inevitably, the duo longs for days without cell phones as well.  Other than that personal disagreement (about things being simpler without the cell phones), I absolutely love this track.

Missing You - The other heartbreak song on the album, this one feels a lot more natural than "Empty" did.  The violin and keyboard provide a beautiful background to the tune, and the guitar solo about the 1:30 mark only adds to it.

So Called Life - The duo goes back to the rock, celebrating the ups and downs in life and adding a bit of funk in the process: "This ain't no rodeo/ No dog and pony show/ Ain't no roller coaster ride/ Ain't no highway/ Sure ain't no river baby/ It's just my so called/ Just my so called life".  The song is a great pedal-to-the-metal cruising tune.

Work Hard, Play Harder - Closing the album is another party rock tune, this one as a tribute to those who work hard, sometimes for what feels like almost nothing.  The song is timely, especially the first verse in light of the Occupy Wall Street protests currently taking place: "I put my forty in plus overtime/ Oughta be proud of this check of mine/ Open it up and I'll be damned/ I worked half the week for Uncle Sam/ He's up there having him a spending spree/ A big ole party and its all on me".  The song is a great way to end the album, starting and ending with the type of songs the duo is known for.

"Rebels On The Run", while not the strongest album the duo has put out, continues to build upon the foundation the band has laid in the past.  The album is full of potential hits, and hopefully will debut as their first #1 country album.  7.5/10

Album Review: Toby Keith - Clancy's Tavern

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".