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.
Showing posts with label Brantley Gilbert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Brantley Gilbert. Show all posts
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, May 25, 2012
Album Review: Florida Georgia Line - It'z Just What We Do
Florida Georgia Line is the latest in a line of Male Duos in country music to blend with rock music and hope to make it big. Their debut EP, "Anything Like Me" was released in 2010 slipped through the cracks, which is a shame. "It'z Just What We Do", the latest EP from the duo, should gain them more recognition, helped along by appearing with Gary Allan and Rodney Atkins on the Country Throwdown Tour.
FGL opens the EP with "Cruise", a viable candidate to replace "Dirt Road Anthem" as this year's perfect summer driving song. The first single from the band, "Cruise" is radio friendly and hopefully will get the duo noticed by fans outside of the South. The summer fun continues with "Get Your Shine On" and "Tip It Back". Both are perfect bonfire songs, with "Shine" being part love song and "Tip It Back" being a great drinking song. The latter of the two is sure to hook fans of Montgomery Gentry, as there is a similar sound to the duo's back and forth singing.
"Tell Me How You Like It" changes the pace some, bringing a unique sound to a romantic song. FGL is down for anything, just waiting for the word from the girl. Wrapping up the short EP is "It'z Just What We Do", the title track. The duo is unapologetic as they party, combining rap, rock, and country, the duo creates a great bar song, no matter what part of the country you are in. If FGL releases another single before a full-length album, I would bet on this being it.
Full of summer party anthems, FGL's EP hit the shelves just in time to have maximum impact. Florida Georgia Line's "It'z Just What We Do" is exactly what the duo needs in order to put them on the radar and the radio. Be sure to catch them on the Country Throwdown Tour this summer. The EP is available on iTunes, Amazon and the Google Play Store 8/10
One of the things that I have always taken pride in with "The Low Down For A Hoe Down" is our focus on the smaller artists, the ones who are up and coming. I have always felt that the people I connect with are the ones who enjoy the unknown artists. And the readers have proven that. Today, 10 months after starting this blog, we reached 10,000 unique readers and our three most-read posts are our reviews of Chase Rice, Rachel Farley and Brantley Gilbert, none of whom are platinum selling artists. All of them are currently either not touring or opening acts. The fact that our readers are drawn to these reaffirms my faith in the true country music fans, so we will continue to bring you artists you may not have heard of in hopes that their music will spread. We will continue to review big artists too, but our primary focus will be on the currently unknowns.
FGL opens the EP with "Cruise", a viable candidate to replace "Dirt Road Anthem" as this year's perfect summer driving song. The first single from the band, "Cruise" is radio friendly and hopefully will get the duo noticed by fans outside of the South. The summer fun continues with "Get Your Shine On" and "Tip It Back". Both are perfect bonfire songs, with "Shine" being part love song and "Tip It Back" being a great drinking song. The latter of the two is sure to hook fans of Montgomery Gentry, as there is a similar sound to the duo's back and forth singing.
"Tell Me How You Like It" changes the pace some, bringing a unique sound to a romantic song. FGL is down for anything, just waiting for the word from the girl. Wrapping up the short EP is "It'z Just What We Do", the title track. The duo is unapologetic as they party, combining rap, rock, and country, the duo creates a great bar song, no matter what part of the country you are in. If FGL releases another single before a full-length album, I would bet on this being it.
Full of summer party anthems, FGL's EP hit the shelves just in time to have maximum impact. Florida Georgia Line's "It'z Just What We Do" is exactly what the duo needs in order to put them on the radar and the radio. Be sure to catch them on the Country Throwdown Tour this summer. The EP is available on iTunes, Amazon and the Google Play Store 8/10
One of the things that I have always taken pride in with "The Low Down For A Hoe Down" is our focus on the smaller artists, the ones who are up and coming. I have always felt that the people I connect with are the ones who enjoy the unknown artists. And the readers have proven that. Today, 10 months after starting this blog, we reached 10,000 unique readers and our three most-read posts are our reviews of Chase Rice, Rachel Farley and Brantley Gilbert, none of whom are platinum selling artists. All of them are currently either not touring or opening acts. The fact that our readers are drawn to these reaffirms my faith in the true country music fans, so we will continue to bring you artists you may not have heard of in hopes that their music will spread. We will continue to review big artists too, but our primary focus will be on the currently unknowns.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Album Review: Rachel Farley - The Truth
Rachel Farley is a young female singer that first grabbed my attention about two years ago. A group of friends and I drove down to South Carolina to see our favorite artist, Brantley Gilbert. The venue was a bar in Florence and there were two openers. To this day, I cannot tell you who the middle act was, but the first performer was this young woman. I remember us being very impressed by this unknown artist, but knowing she had a lot of potential. Flash forward two years and that woman, Rachel Farley has released another EP and is still just as impressive as that Carolina night.
It would be unfair to try to compare Farley to any of the leading female singers in country music today. She does not have the innocent tone of Taylor Swift, nor the violent attitude of Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood or Kellie Pickler. But that does not mean she is inferior to any of these. She is truly a unique voice, and one that has a pure country tone to it. In fact, she starts the EP off with a theme more commonly found among the outlaw boys of country. "Ain't Easy" leads "My granddaddy ran moonshine/ Till the day he died/ Left behind his children/ And a .45/ That outlaw stuff/ Runs through my blood/ I was raised to be tough/ I was born to run". These are not uncommon sentiments from the likes of Brantley Gilbert, Jamey Johnson or Montgomery Gentry, but it is refreshing to hear it from a woman.
Not only is she an outlaw, she falls for them too. "Damn I Do" is about her falling for the guy that everybody says she should not. Despite what those around her say, the guy makes her feel alive, so she is going with it anyway. This leads nicely into "Place To Land". The two songs work well back to back as Farley tells about how when she is tired from her Gypsie life, she always has that safe place to land.
Wrapping up the album, Farley make it clear what every country boy knows: if you mess with a country girl, you are going to have to face daddy. Obviously someone did not get the memo as the guy is now facing the shotgun of a pissed off father.
Rachel Farley is not known now, but if she keeps making music like this EP, she will end up right there with the current leading women of the genre. I, for one, cannot wait for a full length album from this genuinely outlaw woman. 9/10
It would be unfair to try to compare Farley to any of the leading female singers in country music today. She does not have the innocent tone of Taylor Swift, nor the violent attitude of Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood or Kellie Pickler. But that does not mean she is inferior to any of these. She is truly a unique voice, and one that has a pure country tone to it. In fact, she starts the EP off with a theme more commonly found among the outlaw boys of country. "Ain't Easy" leads "My granddaddy ran moonshine/ Till the day he died/ Left behind his children/ And a .45/ That outlaw stuff/ Runs through my blood/ I was raised to be tough/ I was born to run". These are not uncommon sentiments from the likes of Brantley Gilbert, Jamey Johnson or Montgomery Gentry, but it is refreshing to hear it from a woman.
Not only is she an outlaw, she falls for them too. "Damn I Do" is about her falling for the guy that everybody says she should not. Despite what those around her say, the guy makes her feel alive, so she is going with it anyway. This leads nicely into "Place To Land". The two songs work well back to back as Farley tells about how when she is tired from her Gypsie life, she always has that safe place to land.
Wrapping up the album, Farley make it clear what every country boy knows: if you mess with a country girl, you are going to have to face daddy. Obviously someone did not get the memo as the guy is now facing the shotgun of a pissed off father.
Rachel Farley is not known now, but if she keeps making music like this EP, she will end up right there with the current leading women of the genre. I, for one, cannot wait for a full length album from this genuinely outlaw woman. 9/10
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Album Review: Chase Rice - Dirt Road Communion
If the name Chase Rice sounds familiar in your household, chances are it is not for Country music, but it should be. If the name sounds familiar, it is likely because the young North Carolina native placed second on "Survivor: Nicaragua", the shows twenty-first season. Rice has just released his first full-length album, a follow up to his EP, "Country As Me".
Dirt Road Communion - The title track, "Communion" follows a familiar country path, reminiscing about growing up on the dirt roads back home. With a sound that falls somewhere between Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert, with a little Lee Brice thrown in for good measure. The formula works, providing a rocking song that is likely to get attention for the newcomer.
How She Rolls - Keeping the pace up, Rice gives a rocking tribute to his woman. Sounding a lot like Matt Kennon ("The Call"), Chase describes everything about this country girl: "My baby's a hands in the air/ Don't have a care/ When her songs on the radio/ A little crazy with a blue-jean tear/ Gets a Ray-Ban stare/ Just about everywhere we go/ She likes to get down/ Sippin on Coke and Crown/ Jesus and Gypsie Soul/ Yeah that's how she rocks/ That's how she rolls"
The Little Things - Another tribute to his woman, Rice slows this one down with a short love song about what is truly important to her. "No she doesn't need/ A four-carat diamond ring/ Or a big house to come home to/ No she doesn't need/ A Hollywood movie scene/ Or a sunset every day in Malibu/ No all she needs/ Are the little things". Rice mentions what those little things are, roses just because it is Tuesday, watching "The Bachelor" every Monday, and letting her drive his truck (even after previous mishaps). You can almost see the singer with a grin on his face as he sings.
Pbj's and Pbr's - Rice returns to what he does best, rocking. "Pbj's & Pbr's" is him reminiscing about his college days, being broke, barely making it to class (if they went at all). Chase even includes a shout out to another country singer: "That Sigma Ki gig every other Thursday/ Wouldn't make a penny, but we tried to play/ We cut a song for all of them college honeys/ Give ole Luke Bryan a run for his money". The title refers to the diet of a college student-musician.
Whoa - A change of pace for the Carolina singer, the heavy bass beat in the beginning leads to the inevitable rap verse near the end of the song. "Whoa" is simply the reaction Rice has to seeing a beautiful girl. Thankfully, the rap does not feel out of place and he pulls it off without sounding forced. "Whoa" is a song that will probably not get a lot of playtime, but is definitely catchy.
Room 205 - Every once in a while a song comes around that is so deep, and tells such a story, that you have to listen to it a few times to gather what is going on. This is that song for Chase Rice. The song is told from the perspective of a motel room that has seen a lot of things. I really do not want to go into detail, it is better to just let you listen and take it in for yourselves.
Pop A Top Off (Good Time On) - Returning back to the idea of partying and drinking, Rice sings from the perspective of the singer on stage of a concert. Quite obviously fitted to be the opening song for his concerts, the guitar in the last third really stands out.
Shades Of Green - A song about the struggling economy and being thankful for what you have and where you are from, "Shades of Green" is familiar without being repetitive. The song is about exactly what the title says, the different greens in life that are more important than money. "It's the color of the tractor in my barn/ A fifty acre pasture old horse farm/ And rows of pines as far as I can see/ It ain't the money in the bank that we ain't got".
You Ain't Livin ' Yet - This song follows in the tradition of "Shades of Green" in theme. "You Ain't Livin' Yet" is about the large difference between "livin'" to a city boy and "livin'" to a country boy. Once again, Rice does a good job of avoiding the same song that every other country makes, while sticking to the same ideas as Josh Thompson's "Ain't Seen Country Yet" and Jason Aldean's "Country Boy's World"
Country Boy's Kryptonite - The title should give away what the song is about. Every country boy is a sucker for a hot country girl. We just cannot get enough. He does not stick just to the women though, the second verse dives into muddin' and NASCAR. "I can't resist it, I'm addicted/ Even Superman would lose this fight/ Yeah, and all of this, is my weakness/ It's all a country boy's kryptonite"
Every Song I Sing - Every song has a story behind it, and more often than not, it involves a woman. The first song on "Dirt Road Communion" that actually involves a breakup, it is also probably the one filled with the most emotion on the album. This is probably one of my favorites simply because it feels the most vulnerable.
Only A Country Girl - After my favorite track, "Country Girl" is probably my least favorite on the album. It is not that it is a bad song, but it just feels a bit cookie cutter. Jeff Bates immediately comes to mind when I hear this song about how special a country girl is.
I Like Drinking, Cause It's Fun - This one might be my new anthem. Sometimes you do not need a reason to be drinking. Sometimes you do not have a heartbreak, or a hard day at work. You just want to drink "Cause it's fun!". Does not matter if it is beer, tequila or wine, drinking is just fun.
Shakin' The Wheels - This fast tune contrasts nicely with the idea of a truck not actually going anywhere, but the couple in the song sure are moving fast. The instrumentals nearly overpower the lyrics, but it works with the content of the song.
Jack Daniel's & Jesus - Another raw, vulnerable track. Chase pours his heart out about being lost in life, much in the vein of Brantley Gilbert's "Modern Day Prodigal Son". This purity places this just above "Every Song I Sing" because I have lived there. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find someone who has not. If there were only one track to listen to on this entire album, this one would be it. It is hard not to be moved by Rice's honesty.
Happy Hour(Worktape) - Wrapping up the album with a track that was unedited, Chase sits down with just his acoustic guitar, lamenting on being stuck in the same routine, just without the girl he used to enjoy it with. He swears he is never coming back, the memories are just too rough, but he has said that before. "I guess Happy Hour/ Ain't so happy without her" Rice sings in the chorus. After a short silent period (and maybe a few drinks) his mood picks up. The girl walks in and asks if she can join him. He plays along for about a second, then tells her to kiss his ass. He definitely ends it with a upbeat take on the heartbreak, wrapping the album up nicely.
"Dirt Road Communion" is Rice's first attempt at a full-length album, and he does not disappoint. He recorded this album without a label and without radio support, but you would never guess it listening to it. Chase is not a household name, but if he keeps putting music out like this, he will be in no time. 8.5/10
This album is available through Amazon MP3 and iTunes. You can follow Chase Rice on Twitter
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Album Review: Brantley Gilbert - Halfway To Heaven (Deluxe Edition)
I cannot fairly write this review, so let me go ahead and start by telling you that this album is a 10/10. It would not be the least bit objective for a couple of reasons. First, I am too big of a Brantley Gilbert fan to look at the music critically. I fell in love with his music the moment I heard it. Second it is not the initial release of the album. The first twelve songs were released in the first half of 2010, and I bought the album when it was released then. I have probably listened to the original release over a hundred times. Finally, there is too much emotion tied into these songs, too many memories, too much personal meaning. If I did not state this outright, it would not be fair to those reading this admittedly subjective review.
As mentioned, this is not the first release of most of these songs. Gilbert released the first twelve tracks on his former record label, "Average Joe's Entertainment". Since then, a lot has happened for this young artist. He signed on with Valory Music Company, which houses Justin Moore (whose album was reviewed earlier this year), and a little known artist named Reba McEntire. Fellow Georgian Jason Aldean recorded two songs from his debut album ("Modern Day Prodigal Son"), taking both "My Kinda Party" and "Dirt Road Anthem" to #1. This move caused a lot of anger among Gilbert fans, but the success of this album will show that Jason brought Brantley the biggest opportunity of his career. Finally, he began the process of re-recording, remastering, and re-releasing this album.
Anyone who has listened to Brantley's music knows Brantley. A lot of artists say that they pour everything they have into their music, but one listen to tracks such as "Saving Amy" and "Halfway to Heaven" and you get the feeling that he puts everything and then some. The title track is the true life story of a moment that forever changed him. He drove home one night after a party, drunk, and ended up upside-down slammed into a tree. The emotion in Gilbert's voice is extremely moving, as he tells about how that one moment truly changed his life. "Saving Amy" is just as heartbreaking, as the singer tells of watching over his fiancee after dying in a car wreck the night he proposed.
Gilbert does a good job with the romantic songs, such as "Fall Into Me" and "My Kinda Crazy", too. Among the final three tracks on the album, which are the new ones added for the deluxe edition, "More Than Miles" is spectacular. The song is reminiscent of Jason Aldean's "Keep The Girl" (off of the "Wide Open" album), as Gilbert sings about leaving his girl behind to chase his dreams in Nashville.
For all the emotion used in the slow songs, the Georgia-native dumps an equal amount of energy into his rock and party anthems. "Hell On Wheels" opens the album, a song often compared to the classic "Copperhead Road", but on steroids. "Kick It In The Sticks" and "Take It Outside" show the party side of his music. Colt Ford joins Gilbert for the original version of "Dirt Road Anthem", which features the two verses that Jason Aldean's version has (performed by Colt Ford) as well as a third verse in which Brantley himself raps. Gilbert's current single, "Country Must Be Country Wide" (currently #15 on the charts) is a tribute to his fans, and a reminder that country music is popular in more than just the South.
In between all of these, Gilbert takes us back to when he was growing up with songs such as "Back In The Day". "Them Boys" is that song that we have all sang, when we observe a younger generation that just does not get it. It feels a little hypocritical at first, especially after "Bending The Rules and Breaking The Law", until the end, when Brantley observes that his and his friend's grandfathers were probably saying the same thing: "Them boys don't know one thing about life/ True love and trouble/ Struggle and strife/ They think it's all just fun and games/ Like laws and rules are balls and chains/ Treatin them girls like hearts don't break/ Treatin old men like hands don't shake/ I pray it's just a phase/ their goin through/ Yeah but what are we gonna do with them boys?".
Among the new tracks, "Hell On An Angel shines brightest as it closes the album out. It tells the story of his wife, who has him changed from an outlaw to a lover. This song could make for a great single in the future.
Overall, the deluxe edition of "Halfway to Heaven" is a great way for Brantley to make his entrance into the larger world of country music. It is true to the original album, just cleaner and better mixed. The effort is sure to please both die-hard fans who were worried that he was going to sell out, as well as new fans, looking for a breath of fresh air in a genre that is rapidly moving towards the pop side. As mentioned before, this album is a 10/10.
Enjoy the video for "Country Must Be Country Wide", shot at the same prison in Tennessee where "The Green Mile" was filmed:
As mentioned, this is not the first release of most of these songs. Gilbert released the first twelve tracks on his former record label, "Average Joe's Entertainment". Since then, a lot has happened for this young artist. He signed on with Valory Music Company, which houses Justin Moore (whose album was reviewed earlier this year), and a little known artist named Reba McEntire. Fellow Georgian Jason Aldean recorded two songs from his debut album ("Modern Day Prodigal Son"), taking both "My Kinda Party" and "Dirt Road Anthem" to #1. This move caused a lot of anger among Gilbert fans, but the success of this album will show that Jason brought Brantley the biggest opportunity of his career. Finally, he began the process of re-recording, remastering, and re-releasing this album.
Anyone who has listened to Brantley's music knows Brantley. A lot of artists say that they pour everything they have into their music, but one listen to tracks such as "Saving Amy" and "Halfway to Heaven" and you get the feeling that he puts everything and then some. The title track is the true life story of a moment that forever changed him. He drove home one night after a party, drunk, and ended up upside-down slammed into a tree. The emotion in Gilbert's voice is extremely moving, as he tells about how that one moment truly changed his life. "Saving Amy" is just as heartbreaking, as the singer tells of watching over his fiancee after dying in a car wreck the night he proposed.
Gilbert does a good job with the romantic songs, such as "Fall Into Me" and "My Kinda Crazy", too. Among the final three tracks on the album, which are the new ones added for the deluxe edition, "More Than Miles" is spectacular. The song is reminiscent of Jason Aldean's "Keep The Girl" (off of the "Wide Open" album), as Gilbert sings about leaving his girl behind to chase his dreams in Nashville.
For all the emotion used in the slow songs, the Georgia-native dumps an equal amount of energy into his rock and party anthems. "Hell On Wheels" opens the album, a song often compared to the classic "Copperhead Road", but on steroids. "Kick It In The Sticks" and "Take It Outside" show the party side of his music. Colt Ford joins Gilbert for the original version of "Dirt Road Anthem", which features the two verses that Jason Aldean's version has (performed by Colt Ford) as well as a third verse in which Brantley himself raps. Gilbert's current single, "Country Must Be Country Wide" (currently #15 on the charts) is a tribute to his fans, and a reminder that country music is popular in more than just the South.
In between all of these, Gilbert takes us back to when he was growing up with songs such as "Back In The Day". "Them Boys" is that song that we have all sang, when we observe a younger generation that just does not get it. It feels a little hypocritical at first, especially after "Bending The Rules and Breaking The Law", until the end, when Brantley observes that his and his friend's grandfathers were probably saying the same thing: "Them boys don't know one thing about life/ True love and trouble/ Struggle and strife/ They think it's all just fun and games/ Like laws and rules are balls and chains/ Treatin them girls like hearts don't break/ Treatin old men like hands don't shake/ I pray it's just a phase/ their goin through/ Yeah but what are we gonna do with them boys?".
Among the new tracks, "Hell On An Angel shines brightest as it closes the album out. It tells the story of his wife, who has him changed from an outlaw to a lover. This song could make for a great single in the future.
Overall, the deluxe edition of "Halfway to Heaven" is a great way for Brantley to make his entrance into the larger world of country music. It is true to the original album, just cleaner and better mixed. The effort is sure to please both die-hard fans who were worried that he was going to sell out, as well as new fans, looking for a breath of fresh air in a genre that is rapidly moving towards the pop side. As mentioned before, this album is a 10/10.
Enjoy the video for "Country Must Be Country Wide", shot at the same prison in Tennessee where "The Green Mile" was filmed:
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Album Review: Eli Young Band - Life At Best
The Eli Young Band is one that is not well known outside of the Lone Star State, and while they never exactly "rock out", their music is down to Earth and relatable. They are considered "Texas Country", but, if I were to be honest, I would tell you that I do not know what separates that from regular Country, except that it comes from Texas. All I know is that the band that brought us "Always The Love Songs" and "Guinevere" returns with their fourth studio album and in keeping with their tradition, they do not overpower us with their music, but put their focus on their lyrics.
Even If It Breaks Your Heart - This is about as upbeat of a song as you will find on the album. This is not a bad thing, as the style of the band is slower than a lot of their contemporaries. The song is a feel good song about chasing your ambitions: "Some dreams stay with you forever/ Drag you around but bring you back to where you were/ Some dreams keep on gettin better/ Gotta keep believin if you wanna know for sure/ Ohhh, I can hear em playin/ I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol guitar/ Ohhh, I can hear em singin 'Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart.'" "Even If" is a great lead song that accurately frames the band's sound, preparing you for the rest of the album.
Crazy Girl - The first single off of the album, "Crazy Girl" is a waltz that currently sits at #14 on the country charts. The singer is finding himself having to convince his woman that he did not leave because he is leaving her, he just needed to walk away from what was likely an argument. The song is beautifully written, as are all of the band's songs, and I look forward to seeing it continue to climb the chart.
Every Other Memory - Unfortunately, it seems that the singer's girl was not content to stay with him, as he is recalling the memory of her suitcase on the bed as she leaves. This is one of the most upbeat breakup songs that I have heard, and it serves a great lesson. Too often, we get down about the fact that we have been dumped, but the singer sits here and thinks about the good times: "Every other memory/ I have of you is good/ And if I could only rewind time/ I hope you know I would"
On My Way - An upbeat song, but not one that stands out (though that could be the fact that it is 3:30 in the morning right now). The singer finds himself in a traffic jam, anxious to get to his woman. As he reaches the chorus, he starts describing all the ways that she is amazing, saying that she shines "like a heads up penny lying on the ground".
Skeletons - This is my favorite song on the album, and I am not sure why. The singer is reminiscing on his past, and the decisions he has made. "The mistakes I've made/ Are coming back to haunt me/ Like a ghost from the grave/ Always there to taunt me/ You say it's okay/ You say you still want me/ But you don't know where I've been/ I'm no stranger to my sins/ I've got skeletons".
I Love You - This is probably the only song that EYB does that feels overdone. I have mentioned it before, but the idea of everybody doing what they do best, or what comes natural, but just as easily, the singer loves his woman. As it is worn out, there is nothing particularly special here.
The Fight - This album is a great one for someone who is down on their luck, and this song is an example of why. While the music itself is not uplifting, the message is, and it works well alongside the first track from the album: "You gotta fail, a thousand times/ Before you ever see it through/ You gotta spend your last dime/ Before you ever make a million" the singer says in the chorus, before concluding "But it's the way the sun will rise/ Through the darkest night/ Yeah it's always been worth the fight"
My Old Man's Son - Many artists have done tributes to their parents, but there is something about this one that feels different, and therefore separates it from the pack. Perhaps it is that rather than just singing about how great his father is, the singer instead looks at himself and sees exactly how much like his old man he is, first saying "From the way I laugh/ To the way I hold a woman's hand" and in the second verse comparing "The way I shake on a deal/ The way I hold a steering wheel/ Everywhere I go/ Wherever I run/ I'll be my old man's son".
Recover - Another song about overcoming setbacks, "Recover" finally picks the beat up a bit more. Whether it is a break up or some other obstacle, we are usually stronger than we feel at the time, and the singer reminds us that no matter what, we do not have to give up, because we can, and will, recover. It fits in great with the ongoing theme set by "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" and "The Fight".
The Falling - This is another of my favorite songs on the album, but because it takes a common theme in country music, the idea of leaving, and gives an explanation for why he is that way. He apologizes for a one-night stand, but explains that it has to be that way for him, because "It ain't the falling in love I'm scared of/ It ain't the moonlight shining in your eyes/ It ain't the falling baby, 'cause the falling I've always liked/ I'm good at being lonely, 'cause lonely is all I've got/ It ain't the falling in love I'm scared of/ It's the sudden stop". I love the honesty of the song, and the upbeat tempo, probably the fastest on the album, makes it catchy. If I had to pick, this would probably be my choice to follow "Crazy Girl" as a single.
War On A Desperate Man - Along with "Falling" and "Skeletons" this song rounds out my top songs on the album. The hopelessness and honesty in the singer's voice will resonate with everyone. It reminds me of "Modern Day Prodigal Son" by Brantley Gilbert. I really cannot write about this one and do it justice, so I highly recommend you give this song a solid listen.
Say Goodnight - EYB is ready to cuddle up, and likely do more, with his baby and call it a night, even though the sun is still in the sky. The romance is building, the kisses, the touches, everything is leading to what they both know is coming, why wait or deny it is going to happen: "I just want to draw the blinds/ And say goodnight/ Oh, won't you let me pull you into me/ Go where all these kisses lead?/ Turn down the bed, turn out the lights/ And say 'Goodnight'"
How Quickly You Forget - The opening of this song reminds me a lot of the tune of "Skeletons". The singer is trying to remind his lover of when everything was perfect. Things are obviously a far cry from that, and the singer is realizing that. This is not a spectacular song, but the way it is sung keeps it from being a low point on the album.
Life At Best - Closing out with the title track, EYB reminds us that while things are not easy, that is kind of the point. The subject is looking at other people, most likely celebrities, in envy, but the band is here to point out it is not all peaches, because: "Life at best is a struggle/ Life at best can be trouble/ Store up on love, stay humble/ That's all it gets baby, life at best". The song continues the theme that I have been pointing out throughout the review, that things are not as bad as they seem, and that we are able to push through the obstacles to reach where we want to be.
Overall, Eli Young has released a fantastic album, but the lyrics are not going to be genuinely appreciated the first time through. I had to listen to them several times to realize how good they truly are. This feel-good album should be highly recommended, and deserves the opportunity to shine outside of just Texas. I hope that this album provides Eli Young Band an opportunity to break into the spotlight. 8.5/10
I will be making an announcement regarding an opportunity for you to interact with this blog here soon, so stay tuned.
Even If It Breaks Your Heart - This is about as upbeat of a song as you will find on the album. This is not a bad thing, as the style of the band is slower than a lot of their contemporaries. The song is a feel good song about chasing your ambitions: "Some dreams stay with you forever/ Drag you around but bring you back to where you were/ Some dreams keep on gettin better/ Gotta keep believin if you wanna know for sure/ Ohhh, I can hear em playin/ I can hear the ringin of a beat up ol guitar/ Ohhh, I can hear em singin 'Keep on dreamin, even if it breaks your heart.'" "Even If" is a great lead song that accurately frames the band's sound, preparing you for the rest of the album.
Crazy Girl - The first single off of the album, "Crazy Girl" is a waltz that currently sits at #14 on the country charts. The singer is finding himself having to convince his woman that he did not leave because he is leaving her, he just needed to walk away from what was likely an argument. The song is beautifully written, as are all of the band's songs, and I look forward to seeing it continue to climb the chart.
Every Other Memory - Unfortunately, it seems that the singer's girl was not content to stay with him, as he is recalling the memory of her suitcase on the bed as she leaves. This is one of the most upbeat breakup songs that I have heard, and it serves a great lesson. Too often, we get down about the fact that we have been dumped, but the singer sits here and thinks about the good times: "Every other memory/ I have of you is good/ And if I could only rewind time/ I hope you know I would"
On My Way - An upbeat song, but not one that stands out (though that could be the fact that it is 3:30 in the morning right now). The singer finds himself in a traffic jam, anxious to get to his woman. As he reaches the chorus, he starts describing all the ways that she is amazing, saying that she shines "like a heads up penny lying on the ground".
Skeletons - This is my favorite song on the album, and I am not sure why. The singer is reminiscing on his past, and the decisions he has made. "The mistakes I've made/ Are coming back to haunt me/ Like a ghost from the grave/ Always there to taunt me/ You say it's okay/ You say you still want me/ But you don't know where I've been/ I'm no stranger to my sins/ I've got skeletons".
I Love You - This is probably the only song that EYB does that feels overdone. I have mentioned it before, but the idea of everybody doing what they do best, or what comes natural, but just as easily, the singer loves his woman. As it is worn out, there is nothing particularly special here.
The Fight - This album is a great one for someone who is down on their luck, and this song is an example of why. While the music itself is not uplifting, the message is, and it works well alongside the first track from the album: "You gotta fail, a thousand times/ Before you ever see it through/ You gotta spend your last dime/ Before you ever make a million" the singer says in the chorus, before concluding "But it's the way the sun will rise/ Through the darkest night/ Yeah it's always been worth the fight"
My Old Man's Son - Many artists have done tributes to their parents, but there is something about this one that feels different, and therefore separates it from the pack. Perhaps it is that rather than just singing about how great his father is, the singer instead looks at himself and sees exactly how much like his old man he is, first saying "From the way I laugh/ To the way I hold a woman's hand" and in the second verse comparing "The way I shake on a deal/ The way I hold a steering wheel/ Everywhere I go/ Wherever I run/ I'll be my old man's son".
Recover - Another song about overcoming setbacks, "Recover" finally picks the beat up a bit more. Whether it is a break up or some other obstacle, we are usually stronger than we feel at the time, and the singer reminds us that no matter what, we do not have to give up, because we can, and will, recover. It fits in great with the ongoing theme set by "Even If It Breaks Your Heart" and "The Fight".
The Falling - This is another of my favorite songs on the album, but because it takes a common theme in country music, the idea of leaving, and gives an explanation for why he is that way. He apologizes for a one-night stand, but explains that it has to be that way for him, because "It ain't the falling in love I'm scared of/ It ain't the moonlight shining in your eyes/ It ain't the falling baby, 'cause the falling I've always liked/ I'm good at being lonely, 'cause lonely is all I've got/ It ain't the falling in love I'm scared of/ It's the sudden stop". I love the honesty of the song, and the upbeat tempo, probably the fastest on the album, makes it catchy. If I had to pick, this would probably be my choice to follow "Crazy Girl" as a single.
War On A Desperate Man - Along with "Falling" and "Skeletons" this song rounds out my top songs on the album. The hopelessness and honesty in the singer's voice will resonate with everyone. It reminds me of "Modern Day Prodigal Son" by Brantley Gilbert. I really cannot write about this one and do it justice, so I highly recommend you give this song a solid listen.
Say Goodnight - EYB is ready to cuddle up, and likely do more, with his baby and call it a night, even though the sun is still in the sky. The romance is building, the kisses, the touches, everything is leading to what they both know is coming, why wait or deny it is going to happen: "I just want to draw the blinds/ And say goodnight/ Oh, won't you let me pull you into me/ Go where all these kisses lead?/ Turn down the bed, turn out the lights/ And say 'Goodnight'"
How Quickly You Forget - The opening of this song reminds me a lot of the tune of "Skeletons". The singer is trying to remind his lover of when everything was perfect. Things are obviously a far cry from that, and the singer is realizing that. This is not a spectacular song, but the way it is sung keeps it from being a low point on the album.
Life At Best - Closing out with the title track, EYB reminds us that while things are not easy, that is kind of the point. The subject is looking at other people, most likely celebrities, in envy, but the band is here to point out it is not all peaches, because: "Life at best is a struggle/ Life at best can be trouble/ Store up on love, stay humble/ That's all it gets baby, life at best". The song continues the theme that I have been pointing out throughout the review, that things are not as bad as they seem, and that we are able to push through the obstacles to reach where we want to be.
Overall, Eli Young has released a fantastic album, but the lyrics are not going to be genuinely appreciated the first time through. I had to listen to them several times to realize how good they truly are. This feel-good album should be highly recommended, and deserves the opportunity to shine outside of just Texas. I hope that this album provides Eli Young Band an opportunity to break into the spotlight. 8.5/10
I will be making an announcement regarding an opportunity for you to interact with this blog here soon, so stay tuned.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Album Review: Luke Bryan Tailgates & Tanlines
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
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
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