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Jeremy McComb - My Side Of Town

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Jeremy McComb - My Side of Town

Jeremy McComb - My Side of Town

Parallel Records
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My Side Of Town is Jeremy McComb's debut album, released on Parallel Records. It was produced by Paul T. Riddle and the executive producer was JP Williams. There are twelve tracks (three written by Jeremy). If you're a fan of contemporary traditional Country Music, it's definitely on this album. Give it a shot and you'll be glad you did.

When I first heard about Jeremy, a visit to his MySpace profile was in order. There were a few songs on the player and one of them was "Day One." I'll admit I liked it so much after only one play, that I had to listen a few more times before I left. A few hours later I found myself back on the page listening to everything all over again. It's the type of song that would appeal to anyone who is a Country Music fan and as I listened to My Side Of Town, I realized the same thing could be said about any of the songs on the album. I don't think there's any way I could get tired of hearing this collection and many others would feel the same way.

The first single released from My Side Of Town was "Wagon Wheel," a song only half-written by Bob Dylan and finished by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show. While OCMS's version is very bluegrass and rootsy, Jeremy's has a distinct honky tonk bar sound to it and they are completely different from one another. The video for the song was also enjoyable with its touch of humor throughout different scenes.

After spending a night in a motel room, the man in "Next Time I Leave" realizes how much of a mistake he made by walking away. He promises the woman that he'll never do it again by saying: "Baby you're the very air I breathe. 'Til my dying days, right here is where I'll be." He's so devoted to her and their relationship now that nothing short of dying will break them apart.

With an opening line like "Who builds a town without a neon light? There should be a place where the lonely go at night," the song is bound to be a good and country sounding. "This Town Needs A Bar" was released as the second single and is a perfect follow-up to "Wagon Wheel" because it showcases another side to Jeremy's music. It's almost like you are right there with the man, feeling the loneliness right along with him as he drives around town with a new perspective on the buildings.

"I Can Live With That" is what the man says he can do, as long as the woman promises to be patient with him while he works on becoming the person he wants to be for her. He used to wander around leaving broken hearts along the way, but the time has come for him to settle down. Because of those past relationships he's built a wall around his heart and it's only now that he wants to let himself experience love again.

Another song that really stood out to me before listening to the full album was "Cold." There's something extra special in Jeremy's vocals and the lyrics really describe the emotional struggles you can go through with regards to love or relationships. You over-analyze every little word and action from the other person, in hopes that they still like you and there's still a chance. All he can do is think about how much he wants her with him because he feels empty and crazy "living life like this."

Last song, "Perfect," puts such a big smile on my face each time I hear it. The song is so sweet you can't help being in a better mood when it's done. Anyone who is in love or has ever been in love can appreciate each little holding of hands, smiles shared between the two of you, and romantic gestures. It's the epitome of a happy relationship, put to song. One of the best lines is: "You look up at me like you always do and I'm thanking God for leading me straight to you." Jeremy wrote the album closer by himself as he also did with two other songs: "You're Killin' Me" and "I Can Live With That." So, even though there are other songwriters on the album, Jeremy deserves accolades because the ones he wrote really are stand-out tracks.

Release date: May 13, 2008 - Parallel Records

Track List:

  1. Wagon Wheel
  2. Slow Me Down
  3. We Were Something
  4. Next Time I Leave
  5. This Town Needs a Bar
  6. Miss Mexico
  7. I Can Live With That
  8. Day One
  9. Your Killin' Me
  10. Cold
  11. Not Tonight
  12. Perfect

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