| Waitin' On Joe - Steve Azar | |
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Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Second chances, we all want them. For Steve Azar, he was lucky enough to get his. Steve originally received his first recording contract in 1996. He was lucky enough to release a CD on River North Nashville Records that same year. What wasn't so lucky was after two singles, "Someday," and "I Never Stopped Loving You," Steve and his label mates were left without record deals after his label closed. Fast forward to the end of 2001 when a little single called "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)" was released. An immediate hit for Steve Azar and his new label, Mercury Nashville, it wasn't long before the label green lighted a full CD that has now been released.
What became known when I first listened to this CD upon its arrival was the cohesive nature of the flow of each song. There simply is not a bad song on the CD and many of the tracks are single worthy. I would not be surprised to see this CD become an instant hit with the fans and critics alike. Steve Azar has a sound that is missing from Country Music. I would classify him as Country Music's answer to John Mellancamp. Steve also co-wrote every track on the CD.
"I Don't Have To Be Me ('Til Monday)" is already a smash hit that's currently sitting in the Billboard Top 15. With its uptempo sound, it certainly stands out among the current sea of ballads. The song's lyrics are also those which anyone can relate to; taking an extra day off from work.
The title track, "Waitin' On Joe," is a one of those songs that will leave you with goose bumps. It's a story song that cannot really be told without hearing it. I love the track and it will leave you thinking "wow" the first time you hear it.
With its funky groove, "My Heart Wants To Run" is a fun song that sounds like it were plucked right from a Mellancamp CD. This song, if given a chance as a single, could become a huge hit.
With a "Fishin' In The Dark" musical sound, "Gonna Beat The Devil (To See My Angel Tonight)" is one of those songs that is pure fun. A song similar to the "outlaw" sound, I could see Montgomery Gentry, Travis Tritt or any other contemporary "outlaw" singer having a hit with it.
"River's On The Rise" is a song that would fit on a Garth CD. What starts out as a piano ballad turns into an uptempo track that talks about the relationship of a couple being like a river.
"How Long Is This Gonna Be" finds Steve sounding a tad bit like Billy Ray Cyrus. I still love this bass infused track that stays true to its country roots with its great lyrics. The theme of the song is that Steve's ex keeps coming back to him until "something better" comes around.
With a decidedly uptempo collection of songs, Steve Azar is one of those artists who doesn't need to sing a ballad to get on the radio. He's more of a country rock artist than a contemporary country singer, which there isn't enough of in Nashville these days. I wholly recommend this CD to everyone who likes fun music.
Song List:
Audio clips courtesy Mercury Nashville
Album cover, used with permission of Mercury Nashville.
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