Customer Reviews

72 & Sunny

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Besides his incredibly irksome hit cover of Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" which has more than outstayed its welcome on AC radio, Uncle Kracker is in fact brimming with wit and talent. He proves this on his third full-length studio album "Seventy Two and Sunny," which debuted at #39 on Billboard's album chart. Off to a slow start, the fact that "Drift Away" is still in the top 10 of Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart might explain the lack of support for the new album's first single "Rescue Me". Written by songwriting legend Diane Warren, the song fits Uncle Kracker like a glove.

Those who have written him off as just another white rapper certainly have much to be surprised about on this release. Though it is not authentic, "Seventy Two and Sunny" takes on a decidedly country-esque vibe. Although it was not as impressive, 2002's "No Stranger to Shame" took some inspiration from Motown and also yielded optimistic results. What ultimately makes this release solid, however, is that there is not a trace of filler; each song is an essential part to the whole that is the album with a catchy melody all its own.

With a particularly infectious chorus and heartfelt lyrics that beckon attentive listening with a sincere urgency rather than corniness, "Don't Know How," which he co-wrote with country music tunesmith Frank Myers, is the album's highlight and a potential smash single.

"You said that time would ease the pain/But I still hear your voice whisper my name/Since you've been gone my world stands still/You said I'd forget, but I never will/Don't know how/Don't know how/Don't know how not to love you."

With a great deal of talent and appeal packed into "Seventy Two and Sunny," it is a waste that Uncle Kracker is not selling more copies and garnering better publicity. If his record company decides to step up to the plate and give him better promotion it is for certain that they could turn this album into the hit it deserves to be.

In case you didn't know, Uncle Kracker is the DJ in Kid Rock's Twisted Brown Trucker Band. Uncle Kracker has a part-time solo project that he works on from time to time. I recommend that you purchase all three of Uncle Kracker's albums. 'Double Wide, No Stranger To Shame', and 'Seventy Two & Sunny' are all masterpieces. Uncle Kracker's 'Double Wide' album consisted mostly of rap/hip-hop. His 'No Stranger To Shame' album consisted of a little mix of rap/hip-hop, country, bluegrass, etc. 'Seventy Two & Sunny' is pretty much all country, bluegrass, classic rock, etc. But if you're more into Uncle Kracker's rap/hip-hop side, don't worry. He still has it. He's just one of the few musicians out there, along with Kid Rock, who can do a variety of music. Most musicians can only stick to one kind of music, but Uncle Kracker if one of those specially gifted musicians out there. Buying all three of his albums will be worth your money for sure. His singles such as 'Follow Me, What 'Chu Lookin' At?', and 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah' are on the 'Double Wide' album. His singles such as 'In A Little While' and 'Drift Away' are on the 'No Stranger To Shame' album. His single 'Rescue' is on the 'Seventy Two & Sunny' album. I just thought I'd let you know that. Maybe it would help you increase your chances of purchasing his albums. I hope this review helped.

First and foremost, i'm going to assume you've heard the first two. And under that assumption, be prepared for something a whole lot slower. No Stranger To Shame, above and beyond my favorite of the (now) three, started off with the hard-hitting, bumpable "Keep it comin'" and continued with a mix of soft southern ballads, a few cocky/devil without a cause era Kid Rock style tunes, and a brilliant re-work of Drift Away. 72 & Sunny reminded me a whole heck of a lot of Kid Rock's latest and self titled. Significantly slower, and significantly more country-radio friendly. This does not, however, necessarily translate as "Bad". And more than ever, the people that now refer to Kracker as a "Sellout" make absolutely no sense ot me. The first single, "Rescue", I suppose carries on the tradition brought on by "Follow Me" and "In a Little While" from the first two albums. It's a quality song, followed shortly by the even better, and uber-country radio friendly "Don't Know How (Not to love you)"
And i'm not even a country music fan. I'm a Kid Rock fan who turned to Kracker with the release of Double Wide, which I bought primarily because of the hard hitting rock/southern rap material. And while Kid Rock's turn with his new album as a mostly soft, ballad-style collection of tracks somewhat dissapointed me, 72 & Sunny's attempt to be much the same thing has kept me listening to it again and again. There is no doubt in my mind now that Kracker is a jack of all trades, and while there's not a whole lot on this album to bump in your car, there's still quite a lot for fans of the previous albums to enjoy.

Well what can I say? The songs that Uncle Kracker writes talks about lots of stuff going in his life and how does he feel about it. When I first listen to the album the songs that catch my attentionand and which i like is "Rescue","Don't Know How","What Do We Want","Writing it Down","Some Things You Cant't Take Back","Blues Man","Please Come Home","Youre Not Free".I Dunno but i could relate with his songs... But anway for anyone who are interesrted with songs that are country mix soul and whatever.. this is for you...

This record is very well put together, the songs are great. It's not the heavy rock type music, it's more Country Rock which is much more pleasing. I think Uncle Kracker is a great artist, and hope to see more from him in the future.

I think that Uncle Kracker has put out an amazing CD. He has put his heart and soul into it and you can tell. I get his vibe in this CD, and I don't think he has sold out. He puts blues and mixes it with rock, you can also feel the soul. He keeps getting better everytime. Keep it up!

Although I was familar with Kid Rock, I wasn't really that familar with Uncle Kracker. Oh, I'd seen him on the video with Kenny Chesney but as far as his music- I took a chance and bought this cd after reading about it in People magazine. WOW is all I have to say. There is not one bad song on here and how many cd's can you say that about today? Matter of fact I can't remember a release since the Gin Blossom's, "New Misrable Experience" that is consistent all the way through from track to track..and I buy alot of music. I HIGHLY recommend this one.

A nice, enjoyable, soulful album with plenty of replay value.

For those who gave this cd a negative or lukewarm review, I have to wonder if you've had your hearing checked recently. This is an exceptionally fine cd with plenty of heartfelt renditions by Uncle Kracker whose voice has never sounded better. This cd is melodic and emotionally much deeper than his previous releases. The arrangements are great thanks to producer Mike Bradford, i.e. notice the cellos on "Writing It Down," which is one of the best songs. "Bluesman" is a great uptempo tune that'll have you singing along. There isn't a dud on the entire disc. This is one cd I'll be playing for a very long time. Buy it and see for yourself, and I bet you'll be glad you did.

This Album Is Great. Mr.Shafer Really Put In An Effort With This One. Even Though The Hip-Hop Uncle Kracker Is Gone, He Still Keep's In Comin' With Heartful And Strong Lyrics.The Best Song On This Cd is Blue's Man or This Time. Thank You So much Uncle Kracker for This Cd. Cant wait For The Next Video.....