Montgomery Gentry - 'For Our Heroes'

For Our Heroes Bottom Line:

Montgomery Gentry have always done their part to honor the troops and now they are teaming up with Cracker Barrel to release an album to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project. A portion of the proceeds generated will be given to the charity. The album is only available at Cracker Barrel stores or from the Cracker Barrel website and would be a great addition to any Montgomery Gentry fan's collection.

Tried And True Favorites

Since all but one of the songs on For Our Heroes have been previously released, there is a Greatest Hits feel to the album, but don't let that fool you. While songs such as "Something To Be Proud Of," "Daddy Won't Sell The Farm," "Some People Change," "She Loved Me," "Tattoos & Scars," and "My Town" were on various full-length releases, each one plays an important role here in showcasing just how the duo's songs can strike chords in so many different types of lives. There's the prominent percussion in the lead song, "Daddy Won't Sell The Farm," with its story about change happening all around a man and his refusal to give up on the land. There's also the topic of forgiveness/redemption in "Some People Change." The background music ebbs and flows to place more importance on certain parts of the song, and when the background gospel choir kicks in, you feel like you're at a church service. An ode to small town life is found in "My Town," which has a beautiful piano intro, and anthemic lyrics.

The Rare Gems

The remaining songs fit into the same mindset as the ones above, however they could also be considered rarities. By rarities, I mean they were included on compilation albums that might not have been as popular or widespread as they should have been.

With the cover of the Bon Jovi classic, "Wanted Dead Or Alive," Eddie and Troy stick almost exactly to the sound of the original not wanting to mess with what has worked in the past.

Montgomery Gentry usually sticks to their own style, trading vocals and giving listeners a boot stompin' good time with heavy guitars - heavy anything really and a tough hillbilly style when it comes to instruments - as is the case with a majority of these songs. What is unique is their cover of the ZZ Top song, "Just Got Paid." It lends them to a more rock-driven sound. There's not a touch of country anywhere.

The new song, "One Of Those Days," finds the guys full of hope in spite of what seems like a bad situation. To compliment the lyrics, the vocals are uplifting, and the switch from not wanting to remain in place to actually getting out of there is done via slow additions and build up of the backing instruments.

The Standout Song

For as much as the other songs on the album play an important role in the collection, there is one that perfectly sums up what should be the feeling behind For Our Heroes. "Didn't I" has both the lyrical and musical quality to make it stand out. The vocals from Eddie and Troy could make you stop in your tracks with the power and emotion conveyed. The background music is not as loud as is usually the case with the guys and the sparse, electric guitar is just the right emphasis. The best assortment of songs has been selected for this wonderful project from Montgomery Gentry and Cracker Barrel. You couldn't ask for a better collection than some familiar favorites mixed in with some scarcely found songs and partial proceeds going to charity.

Release date: June 2, 2009 - Sony Music / Cracker Barrel

For Our Heroes Track List:

1. "Something to be Proud Of"
2. "Daddy Won't Sell the Farm"
3. "Didn't I"
4. "Blue Collar Nights"
5. "Just Got Paid"
6. "Some People Change"
7. "She Loved Me"
8. "One of Those Days"
9. "The Man That I Am"
10. "Tattoos & Scars"
11. "Wanted Dead or Alive"
12. "My Town"