Customer Reviews

Horse of a Different Color

5 star:		(208)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

"Brothers and sisters, we're here for one reason only...we present to you COUNTRY MUSIC WITHOUT PREJUDICE!"

And so begins one of the best, and certainly most daring, country albums ever recorded. "Horse of a Different Color" is not what you're used to hearing. Do I have to attempt to describe this album? Take John Mellencamp, add a dose of Skynyrd, some Kid Rock, a little Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, and a touch of Toby Keith's attitude. That doesn't cover it (I don't think you can describe this album in any way other than GREAT) but it'll do.

Big & Rich features "Big" Kenny and John Rich (former bassist/vocalist for Lonestar, before the band lost the belt-buckles). These two guys harmonize on every track--and it is oh such a heavenly sound.

Songs such as the engaging "Rollin" and the party anthem "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" (love that title) express the boys' music tastes, and why they aren't embarrassed to be rockin' cowboys in an age of traditionalism. And yet, few songs are countrier than the barroom brawlers "Big Time" and "Drinkin' 'Bout You." "Love Train" takes a look at the world's problems, from racial tentions to how the Bulls play without Jordan. "Kick My Ass" is a song for the underdogs (and the party hounds). "Six Foot Town" tells of a young man's angst to leave the town that's too small for him. "Live This Life" is a moving look at, well, living your life. "Holy Water" is a touching song about a woman who's trying to regain her innocence. The first single, "Wild West Show," is a bit cliched (but purely enjoyable) look at a broken relationship compared with the wild west.

I covered more songs than I meant to; I appologize for taking so much time. But you gotta understand--this album is excellent. I'm glad to have John Rich back on the airwaves (his solo career went nowhere), and I'm super-glad he joined forces with Big Kenny. The two are excellent singer/songwriters, and they make superb music together. Yes, their album's a little strange (what country album previously has featured a multilingual rapper?), and yes, they might get charged with pushing the barrier (both in style and lyric) a bit too far. But that's country music, folks. It's always changing; and believe it or not, Big & Rich are throwing it back to the good days--the days where Johnny Cash was still king, and rock n roll and country music were brothers.

"Horse of a Different Color" is a must-have album. I purchased it just today, and it's already one of my favorite albums of all time. Buy it, please; you deserve that much, don't you think?

Some reviewers have complained about the sound and the lyrics that Big and Rich are selling us. OPEN YOUR MINDS! This is NEW country, not your old fashioned Hank Williams/Willie Nelson brand of music. Not that old fashioned country music is bad. But times change and so does the music. Big and Rich have introduced a whole new sound to country music, a much overdue style.

As far as the lyrics being "empty and mindless", as one person wtote, they must not have listened to "Saved" or "Holy Water". Both these songs, among several others, have real heart and soul to them. The lyrics are very thoughtful and meaningful.

As for some of the other songs like "Rollin'","Kick My Ass" and "Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy", these are just plain fun to listen to and even dance, if your'e in the mood. As for the video for "....Cowboy", it's a mix of City Slickers meets Rocky Horror Picture Show meets the girls from "Addicted to Love" video meets Moulin Rouge. It's awesome and very creative, but most of all, it's FUN!!!

That's what the whole cd is, fun. The guys can really harmonize great together and in the song "Live This Life", sound almost like Simon and Garfunkel. There are so many different kinds of music and styles going on, it'd be hard not to find something you liked on this cd.

Like other reviewers, I, too, bought this for the "Save A Horse.." song, and wound up loving EVERY song on the cd.There's ballad, rock and rollers, a little funk/hip-hop/rap, and plain old country music.

These guys are enormously talented and you can tell they are having fun making their own style of music. If your'e a fan of good music, of any kind, I promise you won't be disappointed with this cd.

Big and Rich is just what country music needed, a real shot in the arm with a dose of NEW music.

I heard "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" at a friend's wedding reception earlier this year, and I was blown away. As soon as the song came on, the whole room went insane, singing and stomping along. I finally picked up the CD last week after getting into Gretchen Wilson's music and hearing about the Muzik Mafia. This is the best CD I've bought all year... and this is coming from someone who used to hate all "new" country music. This CD mixes practically every genre imaginable into country, and the result is a gorgeous, complex, interesting and sometimes hilarious CD. I hope these guys continue making music for a long, long time, "without prejudice!"

You need to feel better after a tough day? This is the music that will do it. I don't care what you call this type of music; Big and Rich are gifted, accomplished musicians and I'm just grateful for their talent.

Big & Rich took the music industry by storm when this, their first album, hit #1 on the Billboard charts in 2004. Some people criticize their fusion of Country and Rock, but I must say that I think that they are fantastic. First of all, I must say that the combination of Big Kenny Alphin and John Rich's voices produces music that has a real feeling of power like I have never felt before. Also, while they are most know for their bouncy songs like Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy), they do have a broad range of song style, with such songs as Drinkin' `Bout You, the touching Holy Water, and the inspirational Saved.

Overall, I really like Big & Rich, and think that they have a great career in front of them. I have yet to have heard a Big & Rich song that I didn't like, with this album being a really great one to listen to on my long car rides. So, if you want to hear a great album, with lots of genre-busting songs, then get this album. It is superb!

This album has got to be, by far, one of the best albums I have ever heard.

"Why they tryin' to complicate, the simple music that we make, ah, 'cause if it moves my soul, I'm goin' to keep on Rollin', Rollin'"

That lyric from the song Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich), is one of my favorites. It's country, it's rock and roll, it's real, and it's amazing.

You get bar room tracks from "Kick My Ass", "Drinkin' 'Bout You", and "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)" to songs that hit home for some listeners, like "Holy Water." "Love Train" is a song about coming together and leaving our differences behind.

I could call these two lyrical geniuses, they have a way with words, which in turn makes for some great music.

I strongly recommend this CD for anyone who loves music. Big Kenny and John Rich are a couple of "crazy son-of-a-BAD WORDS"!!!

I also bought this album after seeing the video on CMT and boy, am I glad I did. It was so funny I thought I had to check them out. Let's face it, any video with "schoolgirl" strippers, a black rapping cowboy and a midget has got to be great. I really love this cd, start to finish. The fusion of country, rock and rap is both fresh and familiar, with steel guitars and fiddles as well as some screaming guitar licks and hip-hop beats. The songwriting is superb and the guys' voices mesh very well. I have had the cd in my car nonstop since I bought it. "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" is fun and tacky and terrific. I dare you not to tap your foot and sing along. And "Rollin' (The Ballad of Big & Rich)" is a message to everyone about inclusion. Cowboy Troy's rap is a surprise that really works. "Wild West Show" is my second favorite song, with great harmony and introspective lyrics. It's just beautiful. There is not a "filler" song on this album- and you can't say that very often. If you love the rowdy boy genre (Hank Jr., Travis Tritt, Montgomery Gentry), you will absolutely adore this cd.

Never before has a new artist been able to define who they are so well on a debut album. Sometimes it takes years for any artist to gain a clear identity. Big & Rich has personality and musical chops in spades.
This album kicks off with the rocking "Rollin'" (which manages to be an unabashed country party while throwing in a touch of bilingual hick-hop) and journeys to its conclusion with "Live this Life" (featuring haunting lyrics and Martina McBride doing her thing). By the time you get there, you have been on a musical ride like nothing you have ever heard before. Both of those tracks are instant classics, but this is no musical buffet where you pick and chose a couple and discard the rest: This is a flat out great album.
Let's see, what does it take to break boundaries and make a great record these days: Lyrics? Strong Vocals? Visionary Production Values? Variety? Musical Prowess? It's all here.
You have got to buy this album and it must be listened to in it's entirety. It's amazing this album even got made, as it is so groundbreaking and manages to be different and familiar at the same time. This album is ballsy and bluesy, country and rocking. It will make you dance, inspire a party, and might even make you cry tears of joy. I have heard the future of music and the future of music is Big & Rich.

When I first heard "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" on the radio, I knew I had to buy their CD. And I wasn't disappointed. I've loved every minute of the CD... "Wild West Show" and "Rollin'" stand out as my favorites, but each song is different, has its own flavor. Be sure to buy this album, it's awesome!

This is possibly the best CD I own...

I am a 19 year old girl that is relatively new to country music- I just started getting into it about a year ago- and when I heard "Save a Horse" I liked it so I figured I would pick this CD up. I am sooo impressed. I figured it might all be fun stuff like "Save a Horse" but this CD has a wild variety of songs. The fun is in how different every song is. The guys really showcase their talent and range...From the second I heard "Rollin" I knew I would love this CD- it's just one of those albums that makes you feel good. Big&Rich...what can I say? These guys are very talented. Every song on this CD is good, and I mean that. There are a lot of CDs I love that I skip tracks on...but this is not one of them. I love every single song on this CD! I really look forward to a second album from these guys- and I hope it will be as good as this is.

I'm also a fan of Gretchen Wilson, Tim McGraw, and SHeDAISY, so if you like them, I think you'll like this too. I bought this CD and Tim McGraw's "Live Like You Were Dyin" at the same time and I could not tear myself away from "Horse of a Different Color"...oh yes, it's just that good. Worth the money, so just go ahead and get it already.