Customer Reviews

Mountains

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Prime Cuts: Mountains, Always in the Band, Hey God

With the surging successes of Rascal Flatts, Carolina Rain and Heartland, these four lads may no longer be the lone star of tight harmonies over adorning radio-wooing grooves. Hence, the stakes are higher as evidenced by Lonestar's less than successful predecessor disc "Coming Home." As a result, this multi-Grammy nominee has one of two options: either to give themselves a sonic makeover or to continue to charter the same course that had brought them success thus far. For album number 9, "Mountains," they have chosen the latter. Rifled with their trademark power ballads performed with a bombastic flair and thumbing country pop rockers with the occasional fiddling, "Mountains" is what fans have come to expect and love. However, as virtuous as consistency is, there's a predictability to these tracks that can come across as dull and even trite. Further, their often over-the-top polished production with jarring guitars and ear-numbing drums, courtesy of helmsman Mark Bright, pilfers from the boys' performance a tepid earnestness.

This does not mean that there are songs that deserve widespread circulation. Most ardent and performed with a transparent agony comes at the encore of the disc: "Always in the Band." Never have the boys sounded more genuine when they sing about the sacrifices they have had to make as itinerant entertainers. Also, fetching is the piano-based ballad "Hey God"--a stark theological treatise of trying to make sense of suffering in the light of God's sovereignty--these guys really know how to articulate such a profound issue within the short confines of this song in a winsome way. Similarly uplifting is the vanguard single "Mountains," an inspirational ballad about overcoming life's obstacles, performed with those patented high notes a la their hit "Amazed." Much less optimistic is "What She Had To" which deals with the struggles of an abused mother absconding with her children, a slice of life so acerbically captured in song.

However, the rest of the album in no way comes close to the abovementioned cuts. Despite the mention of cowboys, boots, rodeo, and everything western, "Cowboy Girl" is a loud 70s rocker that suffers far too much from its ear-destroying drums. Cut first by Andy Griggs, the guitar-imbued "Careful Where You Kiss Me" is only as interesting as the title suggests. Also, known for their share of empowering women type of songs, "Long Lost Smile," though noteworthy for its sentiments, is performed with an artifical sheen as if these boys are more out to please their legions of female fans than performing something that means something to them. Further, the presence of round the clock Nashville current hot shot writters such as Brett James, Bill Luther, Jason Sellers, and Tom Shapiro usually show promise. But, somehow Lonestar has been serviced with many of their leftovers or paeans written to fill up their punch cards. Perhaps, a track or two from the more seasoned writers such as Paul Overstreet, Pat Alger, Victoria Shaw or Angela Kaset might have salvaged a little some of this mess.

While their previous album "Coming Home" was a return to a more organic earthy sound, "Mountains" brings them up the slope to a heavy produced slick package. Though not all is doom, these boys still do know how to croon a power ballad to great effect, they are often let down when the tempo perks. After 9 albums of this pop-country road, if these guys want to stay on the country music scene in the long haul, perhaps a detour may be redemptive. Nevertheless, for those who are at averse to change, there's enough here to satisfy longtime fans and thus far with the title cut climbing up the charts, no mountain seems insurmountable yet.

Lonestar just get better and better with each album they release. I enjoyed this very much.

Good music, good lyrics and great talent combine to make another very good album from Lonestar. Not great, but very good. This album is another in a history of quality albums and music put out by Lonestar. Even with all the good songs on this album, I'd have to say my favorite song from them is probably still "Not a day Goes By" from the album "I'm Already There". It's a personal thing....

Yes, it's all a bit country bumpkin redneck for us Europeans, I know, but I just love Lonestar. And what a bunch of ugly fellas too! My children make so much fun of me and complain the tunes stick in their head, when they could be listening to 'good' music.
This new album: couldn't even get through the first song without blubbering. Anyone alive will identify with the lyrics. Yes, some complain the idea of climbing mountains is plagiarised, but my answer to that is that it is an idea integral to human understanding and therefore public property; progress and overcoming adversity are universal principles. Track 2 is just a.m.a.z.i.n.g., a real feel-good factor in this track, as a working woman I completely relate...
Track 5 sends shivers down my spine, arguably one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
The only downside of the album is the last few tracks, from about 9 onwards, which are still pleasant, but don't seem to have the same power.

Another great country song that will go down in history, written by Garrett Parris, an extremely talented artist in his own right! Awesome! Love the entire CD and recommend you make it part of your collection immediately!!!

The first verse of the song MOUNTAINS by Lonestar talks about all the horrible things this woman has to go through, including being a waitress to people of "every color and creed" ... sarcasm approaching ... Wow, what an ordeal she had to endure: putting up with all those various people of different colors and creeds! That poor woman shouldn't have to go through that!
Does this song seems racist and intolerant?

Love Lonestar and they have another homerun in this album! My favorite cut is "What She Had To" and "Do It For You."

I just purchased this cd after reading the reviews by other fans. I have not heard the whole album in its entirety but I did notice right away that that have consistantly produced the same kind of ear catchey music that keeps you listening and wanting more.

I am eagerly also waiting for Sugarland and Keith Urbans new albums to be relased on November 7th.

Oh, Lonestar has not released this album to be downloaded. I dont know why this is but I guess it is because they want the public to buy their music and not get it for free. I am glad I bought the cd. Now to listen, record and pass it on to another fan.....

A die hard fan in St Louis - GO CARDINALS!!!!

This is the best song on this album. It has a great story line.

It would seem to me that anyone who's heard "3 Second Ride" by Cindy Black would put two and two together. Whoever wrote this song probably heard hers first. I think it's sad they can't come up with an orginal idea.