| Friday Night In Dixie - Rhett Akins | |
|
Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Back in 1995, Rhett Akins appeared on the Country Music scene with his debut single, "What They're Talkin' About." After another Top 40 hit with "I Break For Brunettes," Rhett broke through with his third single and first Top 10 hit, "That Ain't My Truck."
However after that initial success and three albums, one which included Rhett's only No. 1 hit, "Don't Get Me Started," Rhett seemed to disappear into country music's past.
After surviving the closure of his record label, Decca, Rhett realized that there was plenty to be thankful for. He had some rabid fans, lovingly called the Rhett Necks, and the Internet to get some new music out to the fans. Following a brief period for which he concentrated on songwriting and touring, Rhett recorded Friday Night In Dixie, and released it via his website. After some strong buzz surrounding his success as an independent artist, Rhett caught the attention of Audium Records and together they are reworking and releasing the CD with four new tracks.
"Highway Sunrise" is one of the four new tracks and also the first single from the Audium release. With its uptempo sound complete with a wonderful banjo background, this song is about a guy who gets into his car and decides to just drive to get his broken relationship off of his mind. As commercial as any of the current songs on radio are, "Highway Sunrise" should be at least a minor hit.
"That Girl" is one of eleven tracks that were co-written by Rhett. This song finds Rhett not being able to get over his last girlfriend. It is another uptempo song with a catchy chorus and music which could make this song another candidate for a hit.
Not to be confused with Mark Chesnutt's current single with the same name, "She Was" is about a girl who Rhett feels to be the perfect match for him. While this song is as good as other stuff that is on the radio, the fact that it does share the same title with Chesnutt's "She Was" will probably leave the song as what it is, a standout album track.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the whole CD, "In Your Love" is also the song that will probably re-establish Rhett as a force to be reckoned with. With one of the co-writers having written many of Nashville's biggest hits, you instantly know that this song is one of those that will be performed and played at many weddings for years to come.
"Friday Night In Dixie" is a swampy, gritty, southern rocker that happens to recall some of the best of Charlie Daniels. That is probably because upon further inspection, this track was co-written and co-produced by Charlie himself. I would not be shocked to see this track become a hit as the third or fourth single from the CD.
Another song that is destined to be a standout album track because of its title is "Where The Blacktop Ends." Sharing the same title and theme as the keith urban No. 1 hit, I actually like this one a little more. The words flow nicely and I really get the sense that this song would be a hit, if given a different title.
If you are like me, you always appreciate when established artists tack on a bonus track or two to their CDs as a treat for their fans. Here, Rhett has decided to include a "back porch" acoustic version of his hit "That Ain't My Truck." As great as the song was before, I find myself really liking this version even more. It has more of a bluegrass/roots feel to it than the countrypolitan sound it had before.
If you are looking for a CD with some great music that will leave you feeling good and wanting more, then pick up Friday Night In Dixie by Rhett Akins, you'll be glad that you did.
Song List:
Audio clips courtesy of Rhett Akins' official website
Album cover, used with permission of Audium.
Click on the button below to find the best price for this CD and purchase it from a retailer on the Internet.
