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Beer, Bait, and Ammo - Kevin Fowler |
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Reviewed by Jennifer Webb
When I first heard that he had been the singer for a hard rock band (Dangerous Toys) that had two number one videos on MTV and a gold record, I was absolutely stunned because the whole voice and the way he hits notes would never make you think of him to be capable of singing any other kind of way - and that is pretty special in and of itself.
The song might start out with the lyrics, "Heaven sent an angel to me, to save me from life's misery," but it turns out that the woman was a Devil in disguise and the tune quickly changes to "I swear she's got horns and a tail, a pitchfork and a book of spells." The nice woman that he met and fell in love with was only acting nice to get what she wanted and then leave him in the dust when she felt like it. He keeps running away from her when she tries to get back with him but he is not giving up the "fight" anytime soon.
On the radio you would think that Kevin only sings up-tempo songs, but in "Penny For Your Thoughts," the listener really gets to hear a softer side of him. This slow song brilliantly showcases the pain and love a person could feel for another, all at one time. The mixture of emotions can jumble the mind but this time the man says he would give anything to know what his woman was thinking so that he could do anything to make her truly happy without "buying" her love.
From the first note of the song I thought that the kicked-up-tempo tune, "I Found Out The Hard Way," sounded just like something Buck Owens would do, and it only extends upon the fact that Kevin is good at many different styles of music, even if that means within the country genre. At one point in time in a person's life they will think that a relationship is too good to be true and then the truth comes out and they learned a lesson that "stung" a little.
Sometimes when I hear a great song that is deep and meaningful, I will want to close my eyes and concentrate on the emotion and lyrics special blending with the music in the background, and that is what I did with "If These Old Walls Could Talk." In it, the man tries to appear like he is alright but if the walls could talk, they would tell a different story of sadness and tears. Everyone can appear tough to people but once you are in the comfort of your own home you are more likely to break down and deal with those unpleasant feelings.
"Beer, Bait, and Ammo" is one of, if not the, most popular songs played in concerts or on the radio in Texas, and even Mark Chesnutt performs the rowdy tune often while he is out on the road. The song pays homage to the whole "Cowboy" or "Redneck" image because of subjects also including fishing, the Rebel flag, magazines, along with the main three mentioned in the song title.
"J.O.B." is about having to drag yourself out of bed on a Monday morning to go to a place you are not even appreciated because everyone treats you like a dog. Because of the fact he did not go to work like he was supposed to, the landlord keeps knocking on the door and the IRS wants some of his money. Working just is not for him as Kevin sings, he wants to hang around the bars and drink and talk to the women that love him; "All work and no play ain't no way for me to live."
Kevin Fowler has that special "something" that will make him a crucial part of the Texas Music scene until he chooses to retire, which I am sure everyone that listens to him hopes will never happen. This album is now one of my most favorites and will be played many more times.
Song List:
- Speak of the Devil
- Butterbean
- Penny For Your Thoughts
- Hellbent For a Heartache
- I Found Out The Hard Way
- If These Old Walls Could Talk
- Beer, Bait, and Ammo
- Read Between the Lines
- You Could've Had It All
- J.O.B.
- Drinkin' Days
- 100% Texan
MP3 clips courtesy of Kevin Fowler (Official)
Album cover courtesy of Tin Roof Records.
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