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Pictures - John Michael Montgomery | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
There was a time that John Michael Montgomery was considered "the next big star." While he couldn't possibly retain the massive popularity of singles like "I Swear" and "I Can Love You Like That" forever John Michael has quietly carved a steady career for himself.
With the release of his eighth all new album, John Michael finds himself on a new label. Warner Brothers Records Nashville re-signed John Michael to a new deal after they took over Atlantic Nashville's operations.
With a new start at Warner Brothers, John Michael also has re-teamed with his first producer Scott Hendricks. The pairing is magic as John Michael has delivered his most consistent release since the classic self-titled third album. With ten new tracks, this album is a no-frills, back to basics affair.
The lead-off track is the banjo and fiddle laced "Country Thang." With an up-tempo sound and lyrics that suggest it'd fit on a Montgomery Gentry record. The chorus says all you need to know about this song: "That's a country thang/People who don't live it/Just might think we've gone insane/But those of us down home/We can stand right up and say/It's a country thang."
"'Til Nothing Comes Between Us" is the first single that's rising up the charts. This mid-tempo ballad is the type of song that John Michael has made a career of singing. From the uplifting chorus to the drum loop laced instrumentation, this song is pure ear candy.
"Pictures" is a traditional styled ballad that would sound wonderful on the radio. The song talks about a guy who thinks of the memories he has and cannot wait to create some more down the road. Knowing how much he loves his wife and kids, its not hard to understand why he chose to name his album after this song.
"Love And Alcohol" is another song that'd fit on a Montgomery Gentry album. John does a great job with this up-tempo ode to the two things can get a guy in trouble when they're mixed together. I'd be happy to see this one released as well.
"I Wanna Be There" is another song that talks about loving your family, laced with a lot of steel guitar, this song is about a dad who is talking to his newborn saying that he wants to be with his child every step of their growth. This Harley Allen and Paul Overstreet penned song would also be a good choice as a single. Harley wrote John's last big hit, "The Little Girl."
"It Goes Like This" is a track that was written by Sixwire guitarist and producer Steve Mandile. In fact, Sixwire sings the harmony vocals with John Michael while Steve plays the guitar. When you add the two acts together what comes out is a guitar laced rocker that could conceivably be on a future Sixwire album if John Michael doesn't release it as a single.
While he's had a few successful singles on the last couple of albums, John Michael Montgomery hasn't had numerous hit singles off of one album since 1995. With Pictures, John Michael should be able to change that. If you loved any of his previous albums or singles, you'd surely like this "back to basics" album.
Song List:
Album cover, used with permission of Warner Nashville.
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