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Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors - Tim McGraw | |
Reviewed by Matt Bjorke
Since he’s arrived on the country music scene, Tim McGraw has had 19 No. 1 hits, 6 Platinum albums and over 25 million copies of those albums sold. All of that was in a ten year span in which he’s taken over Garth Brooks’ throne as the "most popular" male country artist.
Having 25 million reasons to do things his way, Tim took his touring band, The Dancehall Doctors, and went into the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York to record his latest collection of songs, Tim McGraw and the Dancehall Doctors.
By breaking the strict cycle of using studio musicians, Tim has set a relaxed mood when they recorded the album. That relaxed mood is present on the ambitious recordings on the album. Tim covers songs from such acts as the little-known band Bandera. They released a few albums in the early 1980s to the biggest piano man ever to hit popular music, Elton John. In addition to the cover songs, Tim has 12 other new songs that showcase a more confident vocalist.
"Comfort Me" with the Celtic style fiddle arrangement, is the slow-building opener to the album. Setting the mood and pace of the album, the song also serves as a nice bridge from the last album to this one. On the surface, this song sounds like a love song directed to the one you "love" when in fact it’s actually a patriotic song about the beautiful country we live in. The lady he’s referring to in the song is "Lady Liberty."
With the wonderful piano backing it, "Tickin’ Away" is a mid-tempo delight. The lyrics are about a guy who realizes he needs to move on from the past relationship but he somehow cannot get her off his mind. The clock is used as a metaphor in the lyrics by the former front man of the band Bandera, Lore Orion.
"Home" is unlike anything Tim has recorded before. It features the banjo, fiddle, steel guitar and a traditional styled bass line along with lyrics about loving the way the hometown feels every time you visit it.
The first single is the controversy-filled hit track "Red Ragtop." While the controversy swirled around the abortion issue, the song is actually a song about reflecting on the choices that you made as you went along the path of life.
"That’s Why God Made Mexico" is one of those songs similar to the great singer/songwriter songs of the 1970’s. This is a groove filled song that is all about being able to get away from something or someone.
"Watch The Wind Go By" is said to be a song that Elton John once recorded. This song is about being happy to watch everything happen around you as you sit there and revel in the fact that you are with the ones you love.
Featuring guest background vocalists Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmidt from the Eagles, the song "Illegal" is a hook-filled southern rock anthem that is about as close to country as any Shania Twain song is. Originally written and recorded by the early 80’s band Bandera, the song is a nice departure from the previous breezy type songs.
"Sing Me Home" is a "Running on Empty" type of song. It’s a "heartland rock" song that should do quite well on country radio and maybe the adult alternative rock format. The lyrics are about finding your way home after losing something special.
As his likely second single, "She’s My Kind Of Rain" is sure to be a smash hit song. Its mid-tempo mood fits the Tim and Faith relationship like a glove. I have no doubts that he was thinking of her whenever he sings this song. It’s beautiful and sure to become a wedding anthem song for many years to come.
Written by the Warren Brothers, "Who Are They" is a light-hearted slap in the face of all of those people who like to criticize or tell what every one should be doing. It’s a fun song that could be a hit if it’s released.
The final song on the CD is Tim’s cover of the Elton John classic "Tiny Dancer." It’s a nice cover but there seems to be something missing. I guess this is a song that’s better suited as a live song. Cover songs are always hard to do because the original versions typically are beloved by many fans, as such is the case with this track.
With fifteen songs that run the gamut of emotions and moods, Tim McGraw has recorded his most ambitious and most comfortable album yet. I have no doubts that the songs on this album and those from "Set This Circus Down" are more of who Tim McGraw is than his previous efforts. I hope Tim continues to record with his band for the fruits from this release definitely warrant it.
Song List:
Audio clip courtesy of Tim McGraw's Official Website.
Album cover, used with permission of Curb Records.
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