Customer Reviews

Lucky Ones

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Pat Green's last CD, WAVE ON WAVE, was hit-and-miss: the title cut was a great song, but most of the others weren't stand-outs. It was stuck somewhere between Green's alternative roots, and his vision of mainstream success.

LUCKY ONES, thank God, makes the transition into full mainstream--with a little hint of his alternative past in the expert songwriting put into these songs. Producer Don Gehman emphasizes drums and guitars--much like he did with John Cougar's immortal AMERICAN FOOL--and raises this album above forgetable contemporary schmaltz. It becomes something of a country/rock album...and it is here that Pat Green may find his true throne.

He didn't write any of these numbers by his lonesome, but he chose some damn good cowriters: Drew Womack, Ray Wiley Hubbard, Rob Thomas, Radney Foster, and Brad Paisley, for example. The strenght of these tunes lies in their production and lyrics: some songs on here, such as "Long Way to Go," "My Little Heaven," and "Temporary Angel" are downright poetic. And few tunes are more romantic than Radney Foster's "Lucky Ones," or the Green/Foster collaboration "It's Time." And yet, "College" is an absolutely hilarious number written and performed with Brad Paisley, and "Sweet Revenge" will reinvigorate the ears of Green's longtime fans ("Ain't lookin for vindication/Apologies or consolation/Pull em up and burn the roots/Kill their horses and steal their boots/Ooh, sweet revenge"), a bluesy number that reminds one of many a survivalist documentary...or "Deliverance."

So, Pat Green's LUCKY ONES man alienate some of his fans. However, it IS a good--possibly even great--CD that gets better every time you listen to it. Give it a try; if you're one of Green's die-hard Texas fans, maybe he'll get back to that stuff later. For now, he's searching for fame and fortunate...and thankfully, he's making great music while doing so.

Having read previous reviews of this new CD by Pat Green fans, I can understand how they are probably alittle disappointed in its more mainstream country sound. To me, to say sell-out is abit strong. As a more "mature" listener (my college 'daze' have LONG past me by...), I know you can't stay young forever surviving on beer songs and party muzak. (Oh, yes, I also own CD's by Reckless Kelly, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Robert Earl Keen and a few others - just so you know I'm not a totally old fart)

However, at least Pat had the good sense to surround himself with some excellent co-writers for this CD. "Baby Doll, Somewhere between Texas and Mexico, and the last four tracks - Long Way Home, Temporary Angel", etc. are my favorites as I like both the music and the lyrics to the songs.

However, give me time, I may just yet invest in some of PG's other CDs afterI get tired of listening to this one as Icontinue my ever growing search for authentic songwriters and artists rather than the over-produced stuff that plagues both the country, rock and pop-music genres in today's music world.

I've read most of the reviews that slam this album and those that praise it. This album is not overly produced like wave on wave was (and recorded in California)with synthesizer parts and etc. His new producer Don Gehman's efforts (producer for this one and wave on wave) however show in this album where Pat is not like his old material from the late 90's but he is also not mainstream like a Tim Mcgraw and others, he is in my opinion growing as an Americana roots star where Gehman's aim usually goes.
Pat Green's new album shows the effects of the producer in making this into a good americana albumn in my opinion. Pat still supports the Texas scene even though he has supposedly sold out (with co-writing or songs writen by Texas alums Jack Ingram,Ray Wylie Hubbard,Wade Bowen,and Radney Foster on the cd).. A lot more than others can say. Espcially with someone who still recognizes that his band is what helps him not just hired gun back-ups (pat green recognizes his band in the cd's liner notes by allowing them to write thank yous and they are active in the making/writing of the cds)..Something mainstream artists can't say)


With Pat's influences changing, He has changed from a honky-tonk Texas star to a americana roots star that is still pushing the country borders. I got into Pat between his Carry On and Three Days Cd's but have got everything from Dancehall dreamer on... Yes he's changed, I personally liked the Carry On/Three days time frame of his music but he is getting better and hopefully getting back to his texas roots more and more (This cd was recorded in Texas and you can tell the difference in feel compared to Wave on Wave)
So to sum it up, If you remember Pat Green from his Honky tonk player days (1995-1999), you will mostly be the ones slamming this one... If you like him from Three days and carry on, You will wish that he relook at some of the vibes and writing from that time but you will pretty much like it.... If you know him only from wave on wave, he is a fairly new player to you whose music is polished on more songs this go around than wave on wave but still rougher than most mainstream artists for those who want to try something different but don't go too far from mainstream pop country.

I am a relatively new country music fan, and most definitely a brand new Pat Green fan, and I have to say "Lucky Ones" is a great album. A person could certainly call me a displaced rocker from the 1980s, as I miss this big arena rock sound and the bigger-than-life image which went with it; but quite frankly, this is why I find such a refuge in Country's new sound. It's rock, and I like it! Thanks for being a pleasure to listen to, Mr. Green...I hope other hopeless rockers will find you.

Pat Green's album, "Lucky Ones," is good but not his best. If you like Pat Green and know his music this album will be a little different for you. The album is still upbeat, fun, and has Pats great Texas sound, but it definitely has more of a Nashville sound. This album has a little bit of a fresh sound for Pat, it is different but good.
There are still a few songs that have Pat's trademark sound. The bar room voice that warms your heart and makes you feel good can be found on tracks 4 and 6. If you are looking for a sound that gets your head nodding and your foot tapping, that's the sound. His lyrics are closely related to his other albums, but a little more safe which is what is needed if you are singing nationwide country music.
Pat Green is one of the greatest Texas country singers of all time. Of course George Strait will always be the king but I like listening to Pat almost as much. His songs relive my stress and make me feel good. His songs have a great rhythm and a feel good sound.
If you know Texas country Pat Green is a lot like the rest; from old school Jerry Jeff Walker to the new sound of Kevin Fowler. Pat is a little of both with the same fun sound. If you want a good country album this one is good for you. But if you want something to party to, try Pat Green's live album from Georges bar.

3.5 STARS: Good CD, but Pat Green has grown into a different songwriter. This is a much more produced and polished "mature" record (huhummm, not as many songs bout Texas and drinkin'). Die hard fans of Pats earlier work, prior to Wave on Wave/Three Days are probably gonna dislike this album. I really think it is much more radio ready. All the songs are "good", not as many stand out as "great". The duet "college" with Brad Paisley actually works for me and seems more like an older Pat song, probably due to the subject matter. The Jack Ingram cover of One Thing is pretty darn good too. All in all, some good music, but not the same PG, and ya know what I guess that ain't all that bad.

I have been listening to Pat for the past three years and have been lucky enough to see him live twice. I got on board with Three Days and Carry On and then went back from there.
Lucky Ones just isn't at the same level with his earlier work. "Baby Doll", "Over and Over", "My Little Heaven", and "Temporary Angel" are good songs, but they lack edginess. I love the Radney Foster songs "Lucky Ones" and "It's Time", but I can't hear Pat in them. Jack Ingram's "One Thing" is cool, but I prefer his own version. The track that comes closest to greatness is the one written with his band "A Long Way to Go".
However, the inexcusable is "College". Nothing says SELL-OUT like a cheesy duet with Brad Paisley. Anyone who is capable of writing songs like "Dancehall Dreamer" and "Threadbare Gypsy Soul" has no business releasing a cliche-ridden track like "College". I read the lyrics before I heard it, and I thought "Maybe it won't be that bad". It is "that bad". If I wanted to listen to songs like "College" I would have purchased a Brad Paisley or Kenny Chesney album, maybe even Toby Keith.
Notwithstanding Pat's worst song is better that most you hear on country radio. However, with great talent comes great expectations. And I expected more than this.

Too much Pop Country and not enough Texas soul. Disappointing does not even begin to describe this Pat's latest effort. As a Pat Green fan I feel betrayed. Whenever Pat released a new CD I never bothered to preview an album because I knew what I was getting; a true Texas songwriter and musician. I purchased his latest album with the same confidence, only to have him lose my trust with a slick, pop, watered-down, mainstream country album that fits right in with the music that I refuse to listen to on mainstream country stations. Maybe on his next album, instead of Brad Paisley, he and Uncle Cracker, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffet, and Alan Jackson can remake a Hank Williams song with a Caribbean beat and shoot the video in Cancun. (Maybe even bring in Little Jimmy Dickens in for comic relief. That way Pat will be a shoe in for the Grand Ole' Opry.)
A few argue that Green is growing as an artist. No, he is not. He is falling in line. The great ones make everyone listen to their sound and change the listener's attitudes. They DO NOT conform to the mainstream. Very little of this album has the Texas sound that made Pat Green unique. As a long time fan, I wanted Pat Green to find commercial success. However, I always believed he would set the example and put real Texas music on the map, changing the idea of what country music should and could be, while staying true to his music. I truly believe that with this CD he has lost his integrity and credibility with his fans. I can only hope that he can one day find his way back to Texas.

With this CD, "Lucky Ones," Pat Green has become one of my favorite artists. I listened to the CD, downloaded to my MP3 player and installed it in permanent residence in my car. Now I understand why all the Texans I know are so crazy about Pat!

Obviously much to the dismay of some of the reviewers Pat is growing up. This is a great collection of songs, well written and not over produced. Pat has collaborated with some great song writers on this album too. I really love Baby Doll, Lucky Ones and Temporary Angel. Are they a departure from Pat's Dance Hall days? sure. Are they more mainstream? Yes, but not in the slick slap a hat on a pretty face and voice kind of mainstream.
Pat has his own unique style and voice. When you hear him on the radio you know it's him.

This CD is a major step up from Wave on Wave which I thought was probably put together and shipped out to take advantage of the success of Three Days.

If you think Pat's sold out well then that's your lose. There will be a lot of new and old fans who have matured with Pat who will love this CD. Given decent air time Lucky Ones will be a big seller for Pat!