The Bottom Line
Pros
- "Somewhere In The Middle"
- "Hell Or Bust"
- "Radio's Misbehaving"
Cons
- None.
Description
- The group's third album.
- Produced by Lloyd Maines.
- Many songs written by Jason Boland.
Guide Review - Jason Boland & The Stragglers - Somewhere in the Middle
I enjoyed Jason Boland & The Stragglers' 'Pearl Snaps' album & there was no doubt I'd love 'Somewhere In The Middle' too. There's just something about these guy's music that makes me want to listen to it until I practically wear out the album."Hank" is about how much the Nashville music scene has strayed from its roots. If Hank Williams, Sr. hit the country scene in today's times he'd never make a successful run of his career. "What happened to the music I loved so long ago?" Jason sings, "It seems it's been forgotten on our country radio." As long as the man can find his way home in "When I'm Stoned," his baby doesn't mind how he acts because she'll take care of him.
"Somewhere In The Middle" finds that some people jet off to fancy places like LA or New York to get away from the typical small-town USA setting but most of them stay where they are to make their own fun. "Radio's Misbehaving" is a great upbeat tune. Whether the man changes the station to FM or AM there always seems to be a sad song playing. "12 OZ Curls" is the only exercise that satisfies Jason's mind after getting fired. Songwriter Randy Crouch provides the duet vocals.
Days are hard to get through in "Mary," "It's just going to take a little while." The man is sinking fast & asks Mary to save him & throw him a line to prevent him from sinking for eternity. A stand out on the album is the last song, "Hell Or Bust." Written by Jason, the rather mysterious music will intrigue you.
