Not only has Monty Lane Allen played in Alan Jackson's backup band, he was also a highly in-demand studio vocalist and has an amazing talent for writing songs. That talent for songwriting is showcased in this twelve-song collection via the six songs he co-wrote.
There might be a "Great Big World" out there that the couple might want to see someday, but even if they don't make it to places like Alaska things will be fine as long as they have each other and their family. Their world can be just as big spending time at home watching children playing in their plastic swimming pool or just taking it easy. They don't need fancy scenery because the simple things will do just fine.
A beautiful set of lyrics is found in "Fallin' Water," written by Monty along with Bruce Bouton and Tommy Polk. It's one of those types of songs where you wish you could have been the one to string along such lines as "I've learned it's best to yield to her. I trust her with abandon" and mentions of how even a simple little kiss can give him all the strength he needs. A similar sound is found in "Make Me Think About Her," a song about how even the smallest things make him think about the woman he loves. Something that can't go without mention is the mandolin playing by Andy Leftwich and Bruce Bouton's playing of the dobro.
A son's anger for his father drove him out of his life for many years in "That Ain't The Mountain," until he let go of the grudges and they became close again. Love is stronger than anger and gives you peace enough to mend a broken soul. "Cause I've learned to put those kind of demons in their place," the man says.
"Hang Around" proves why Monty Lane Allen has what it takes to tour with Alan Jackson for several years. There's a high quality to this track and it's no wonder with writers like Will Nance and Odie Blackman. Another contributing factor is a fun electric guitar solo by none other than Brad Paisley. It's a fun song about a man who doesn't know where the lady came from, but she is sure welcome to make herself at home and settle down with him.
You only "Walk This Earth" one time, so you need to go realize what's important and live to the best of your abilities. Get over the past and look into the future. "Time won't wait for nothing. Time... Make it count for something. Time... Yeah it's true it sure does fly, so you better start living your life" sums up the song quite nicely. Sometimes you don't realize what you have until someone important leaves you or comes into your life. Then you might change and do things a different way.
Release date: September 4, 2007 - Moon & Stars Nashville
Song List:
- Great Big World
- Somewhere Out West
- Fallin' Water
- This Could Get Good
- That Ain't the Mountain
- Hang Around
- Salvation
- Make Me Think About Her
- Back In the Highlife
- The Kite
- Walk This Earth
- Soldier Coming Home
