Customer Reviews

Highways & Heartaches

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With his fourth album, Wade Hayes puts forth a solid and addictive collection of country tunes.

There's nothing particularly new or different about "Highways and Heartaches," but that's part of the album's simple beauty.

Hayes is about as country as they come, and while his previous album, "When the Wrong One Loves You Right" had its hits, it also had its problems - namely too much percussion overshadowing some great guitar work. It's telling that the two hits off that album - "How Do You Sleep at Night?" and "The Day That She Left Tulsa" - were slower ballads. The faster stuff sounded like the producers trying to push Hayes toward Garth Brooks' cross-over audience.

With "Highways and Heartaches" - which counts Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn as one of its producers - Hayes returns to his earlier pure country sound. Dunn and fellow producers Terry McBride, Don Cook and Hayes' songwriting partner Chick Rains apparently realize that Hayes' isn't about pushing the musical envelope.

Hayes is better off going the route of George Strait, who can change without seeming to change, trying new things while keeping the surface sound a steady classic country.

With this in mind, Hayes' new album subtly shows a wider range of vocal emotion and musical style than his previous work. At the same time, with his authoritative baritone and accomplished guitar skills deeply entrenched in country roots, Hayes mirrors Strait's reliability.

Hayes said in an interview this summer that he doesn't disparage against other types of music, it's just that he'd feel ridiculous trying to play anything else. Simply put, "Highways and Heartaches" represents an artist fully aware of his own strengths and weaknesses, and thus it's Hayes' best album since his first.

But say, wasn't there another country album with the same title back in the early '80s...?

Yes indeed - Hayes' fellow traditionalist Ricky Skaggs, 1982.

But this title choice only goes to further prove how devoted Hayes is to his musical roots. Never mind that the title phrase appears in a song on Hayes' new album. The title, reportedly suggested to Hayes by a fan, most likely doubles as an homage to Skaggs - legend has it Hayes left Oklahoma for Nashville with only $450 in his pocket after seeing Skaggs on an awards show, urging young musicians to follow their dreams.

As for the individual songs on "Highways," they play like a country music primer. The songs don't appear in the following order, but programmed this way on your CD player, you could have fun turning "Highways and Heartaches" into the closest thing country music might ever see to a concept album.

Here's the "Highways and Heartaches" storyline as I see it:

1. Established love sung slow - "You Were, You Are, You'll Always Be."

2. A breaking heart sung even slower - "Goodbye Is the Wrong Way to Go."

3. A now-broken heart sung with a swing - "She Used to Say That to Me."

4. Recently lost love done pure country - "Life After Loving You."

5. Long lost love done countryfied rock n' roll - "Up North (Down South, Back East, Out West)."

6. Lonely folks meeting with a rockin' country yodel - "I'm Lonesome Too."

7. Potential new love rocking even more - "What's It Gonna Take?"

8. New love settling in and slowing it down - "You Just Keep On."

9. Found love heading for the line-dance - "Up and Down."

10. And finally, as if there's any question where all this losin', lookin' and longin' for lovin' takes place, there's a honky tonk tune called - what else? - "That's What Honky Tonks Are For."

I have loved Wade's music since the first time I heard him sing the early hits: "Don't Stop"; "Old Enough to Know Better"; and all the rest. He released a single awhile back with "Wichita Lineman" on it that left me asking, "Glen who?". What a great voice. HIGHWAYS & HEARTACHES is no different in that respect. The selections are great. Wade's voice is so distinctive. From start to finish, this CD keeps you wanting to hear even more. I play it over and over again. I have seen Wade in person 5 times now and he just never ceases to amaze me because he performs every one of his songs EXACTLY like they are on his CD's and they seem to come straight from his heart! He has such integrity. A true COUNTRY singer. This guy may have been around a few years already, but give him some more time. When some of the soft pop in country music isn't so trendy anymore, Wade will still be singing great traditional Country music. It took awhile for folks like Willie Nelson and John Anderson to be popular. It'll happen for Wade Hayes too. The more often you hear him sing, the more you will believe it's true.......

In a world full of POP country, it is so nice to hear the sounds of traditional country music. With a voice that can put you in the mood for anything. As an avid Wade fan, i was extremely upset that Monument didn't let Wade write any of the songs on this cd, but there are so many politics involved. At least there are Chick Rains and Shawn Camp involved who are some of Wade's favorite songwriters.The album is definately full of some great music. "Goodbye is the Wrong Way to Go" shows off all of his tallents, espically that distinct voice'then there is "What's it gonna take" which will get ANYONE dancing,"Up North" once again, i can't say enough about the tallent that Wade has,you will just have to listen for yourself.It is well worth it.As far for how long it took to release, once again politics.Wade has appoligized over and over again for that.(and he has no control over it either!) I just think everyone should know how genuine and REAL Wade Hayes is.The album is GREAT and so is he as a person.Everyone should take the time to listen to ALL of his music.He is 100% tallent, writing,guitar, and singing.But most of all a very nice person and very deserving of the fame he should receive.Thank You,Debbie Rueve

Wade Hayes can be justifiably proud of his fourth album, titled (by a fan!) "Highways and Heartaches". Traditional country style shines brightly with his rich voice, passionate youthful energy, and deft mix of love songs and heartbreak songs, with a bit of honky tonk thrown in for good measure. For anyone already familiar with his previous material, "Highways and Heartaches" brings few surprises other than his amazing vocal range on "I'm Lonesome Too". Not a single disappointment can be found among these ten songs; the standouts include "Life After Lovin' You" (the inspiration for the album title); "What's It Gonna Take"; "You Were, You Are, You'll Always Be"; and "That's What Honky Tonks Are For". "Highways and Heartaches" is solid and satisfying throughout, even better than his previous three albums: "Old Enough To Know Better" (1994), "On a Good Night" (1996), and "When the Wrong One Loves You Right" (1998). I LOVE "Highways and Heartaches" and highly recommend it!

Wade Hayes' music just keeps getting better and better! I've been a fan of Mr. Hayes ever since the release of his first hits "Old Enough to Know Better" and "I'm Still Dancing with You", but the Oklahoma native just keeps perfecting his talent with each new offering to the music world. His deep, sultry vocals and seemingly effortless guitar picking is amazing, and with his latest release, his maturity as both a singer and a guitarist is evident. The album has just the right balance of fast and slow country tunes. "What's It Gonna Take" and "Life After Lovin' You" will get you up and dancing, while "I'm Lonesome Too" and "Goodbye Is The Wrong Way To Go" will transport you to the bar where you can cry in your beer. I would have to say that this is Wade's best album yet,and I dearly hope he continues to enrich the country music genre with his fine talent. Thank you, Wade, for sharing your love of music with the world!

After waiting for over 2 years for Wade Hayes' new CD I was so happy to receive it! With today's new version of country with a pop rock sound it is so refreshing to hear traditional country. Wade has always stayed with what the die-hard country fans want to hear. He has his own unique style and while he may vary it every now and then he remains traditional. If only others could learn from him. This CD like the previous 3 is awesome! It has the perfect blend of ballads and honkytonk songs; from "Up North" to "Goodbye is the Wrong Way to Go". If you enjoy listening to Wade then you'll love this CD. It comes highly recommend from this fan!

I have missed Wade Hayes' music the last couple of years--his new music, anyway!! It seems like it has been forever waiting for this new CD!! The good news--it was well worth the wait. This album does NOT disappoint. The smooth vocals and the guitar work are amazing--each song blends into the next well. It is so nice to have my "old friend" back....I love everything from "Up North..." to "I'm Lonesome Too", but "That's What Honky Tonks are For" is my favorite (and to find out it was penned by Chick Rains and Don Cook is an extra bonus!)

Thank you! Thank you! It's been worth the wait. Once again Wade Hayes proves he can sing the heck out of a song. He's unmistakeable and hasn't taken a misstep. If you haven't heard all four albums, you are missing out.

Amazing performance! Very diverse artist, distinct sound of his own, and never tire of listening! New CD soon be available (Place To Turn Around), so be sure to be on the lookout--great songs mostly written by Wade. This guy should be on top--superior to all!!

Wow I'm not that big of a country fan, but when I heard this cd I could not believe the deep pipes this guy has! Really moved me! Nice work, nice tunes to sing along too! Makes my day feel better!