Written by Sean Simons
About this time last year, Curb Records was heavily criticized for its release of yet another Tim McGraw “greatest hits” collection instead of his current album.
Well, fellow country fans, the wait is finally over. Tim McGraw’s newest album “Southern Voice” was released earlier this week after much anticipation.
So, you go to Hastings and purchase this new CD, plug in your iPod, and don your cowboy boots in preparation for the musical genius that is about to flood your ears … wait, what is this? McGraw opens his new CD with “Still,” which is a fascinating blend of modern rock and Louisiana twang. As if the pulsating rock beat wasn’t strange enough, McGraw sets the mood of the album by slowing things down early and diving in deep. Such lyrics as “There’s a place I need to go where the stain glass windows flow; every part of me is known” show a more serious side of McGraw as he sings of places where life is slow and simple.
The second song will make the loyal fan base breathe a sigh of relief as Ghost Town Train sounds more like the McGraw we all grew up listening to on the radio. As with most country songs, “Ghost Town Train” tells the story of a guy who regrets doing something stupid and wishes he could rewind time and undo his mistakes. Lyrics such as “I’m all alone, she’s a ghost town train, a tear drop in the rain, oh my baby’s gone” remind us why we love country music: Man, I’m glad I’m not that guy.
But don’t get too comfortable because McGraw reverts back to his fascinating mix of rock and twang in his next song “Good Girls.” This song could easily fit in with the best of rock ballads as McGraw tells the sinister story of a woman who double-crosses her best friend for a man. Things go downhill when the friend finds out what happened, and, well, it doesn’t end pretty. Needless to say “Good Girls” sounds more like a Nickelback song than Tim McGraw. What’s going on here? This isn’t what I paid for!
Fear not, faithful McGraw fans, because the roller coaster that is this CD comes out of its modern rock corkscrew with some good ol’ country tunes.
“I Didn’t Know It At The Time” takes us to country nirvana as McGraw sings about his first love, junior high, and that Old Rugged Cross. Mix in some youthful ignorance and foolish pride, and you’ve got yourself an instant favorite.
Then we come to that familiar crossroad between modern rock and country twang as “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You” was co-written by, of all people, Nickelback’s lead singer, Chad Kroeger. Seriously? Chad Kroeger?
Regardless, “It’s a Business Doing Pleasure With You” has been on the radio since late June and is already many people’s favorite song off this album. McGraw sings about every guy’s least favorite weekend activity: shopping with women. Such lines as “You got more purses than Versace” and “I’m runnin’ out of dough” sympathize with guys around the world as we endure mall excursions with our significant others every weekend.
The rest of the CD is composed of mostly slow songs such as “If I Died Today,” “I’m Only Jesus,” and “Forever Seventeen,” all of which sing about deep emotional turmoil with relationships, contemplating suicide and adolescence.
If you’re in the mood for more twang seek over to “Southern Voice,” which has references to Dale Earnhardt, Hank Williams and the Appalachian Mountains. Enough said.
Perhaps this album shows a more inward, serious side of McGraw as he sings about such themes as morality and betrayal. Nonetheless, Tim McGraw doesn’t disappoint as his 10th recording album is yet another success.
