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Six of One, Half a Dozen Of The Other - Joe Nichols | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
For those who love Joe Nichols "major label debut" there is more Joe Nichols music out there. Originally released in 1996 as Joe Nichols by the Intersound label, Six Of One, Half A Dozen Of The Other was re-released in the fall of 2002 on RMG Records.
Those who are expecting an album similar to Man With A Memory will be in for a "shock." Six Of One, A Half A Dozen Of The Other was recorded when Joe Nichols was still a teen. Much like the early albums that have sprung up for Shania Twain and Sammy Kershaw, Joe wasn't recording an album with "a full deck."
The music itself is fine but is deeply dated in the sound of the mid 1990's. What this album does showcase is Joe Nichols' vocal abilities, albeit they were still rough at this stage. "Leave The Past Behind" is probably the closest thing to any of the songs on Man With A Memory. About a guy who can't forget his past, this song probably would've been a hit had it been released on a major label.
"In Spite Of Myself" is a soft ballad that showcases Joe's young tender vocals. The lyrics are about a girl who loves him for him, not what he does. This song sounds as if it came off of a Garth Brooks or John Michael Montgomery album.
"Six Of One, Half A Dozen (Of The Other)" is the title track and the strongest song of the album. As a centerpiece to this album, it was also one of two singles that were released. This song even had a video for a short while on CMT.
"Independent Girl" is an up-tempo rocker that Joe signs with raw emotion. Perhaps that emotion is because of his hand in co-writing this song. The slide guitar makes the song sound like it came off a Lee Roy Parnell record from the mid 1990's.
"Wal-Mart Parking Lot" was written by Marty Raybon and Troy Seals. It sounds a bit similar to something that would've been on one of Lonestar's first two records. Vocally, Joe has a nice tenor sound. This is the second and final single from this CD before the label closed.
While it's not the best record, it sure isn't the worst record to have been released in Nashville. What this CD does showcase is a young talent that has now taken the country music world by storm.
Song List:
Audio clips courtesy of Barnes & Noble.
Album cover, used with permission of RMG.
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