Customer Reviews

Never Going Back

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Collin Raye scored four Number 1s and a plethora of Top Ten hits in the 90s, beginning with 1991's "Love, Me" and ending with 2000's "Couldn't Last a Day". Despite continuing to be popular as a touring artist into the 2000s, his commercial momentum had significantly slowed, with his last major hit being released nearly ten years ago. Raye has always released pleasant, Adult-Contemporary albums with a light Country flavour, from upbeat rockers to tender ballads, and it is the former which takes precedence on his 2009 Independent release "Never Going Back".

This new album differs from the standard formula which pervaded his last couple of Indie albums, which were mostly ballad-heavy collections; this new record employs a more rock orchestration. Right from the opening heavy riffs of the title track (with lyrical references to adolescent rebellion and Facebook) it is obvious this is a slightly different direction for Raye, with rock-inspired tracks which hark back to his earlier up-tempo hits "I Want You Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "That's My Story" and "My Kind of Girl", before his ballad style took over.

Probably the upbeat highlight of the record is the epic "Where It Leads", and lead single "Mid-Life Chrysler"; the latter resembles, for me, 2001's "Gypsy Honeymoon" from the Can't Back Down album. It tells of a man who is far from having a mid-life crisis, he is enjoying life with his wife, and both of them ride in his "mid-life Chrysler".

Also on the uptempo side of the things, we have a faithful cover of "Stuck In the Middle With You", originally a cross-Atlantic hit by Scottish band Stealer's Wheel. Two other covers are here: firstly, "Don't Tell Me You're Not In Love", originally recorded by King of Contemporary Country, George Strait, on his 2001 album The Road Less Traveled. Whereas Strait's rendition was flavoured with Traditional Country instrumentation, Raye's version is a more Adult Contemporary-leaning treatment. "Without You", originally a Badfinger album track and later a Harry Nilson hit, is recrafted here as a duet between Raye and fellow 90s Country artist Susan Ashton. Ashton is a skilled vocalist in her own right, similar vocally to Trisha Yearwood and Linda Ronstadt, and her contribution adds weight to an already powerful song.

Raye's ballad fans needn't be disappointed however, as tender slow movers are also present and correct, namely "You Get Me", and "(I Wanna) Take Care of You", while there are also three inspirational, faith-based songs ("The Cross", which has hit written all over it, "The Only Jesus" and "I Love You This Much"). Originally, Raye's label - Time Life - wanted a Christian record, before changing their minds to an Adult Contempory album, so these tracks are obviously remnants of the earlier sessions, but despite this they add some spiritual authenticity to the collection, and a general belief that there is something for everyone on this CD.

Raye said before the album was released that he didn't really have the voice to sing Traditional Country. This is probably true, although it would be interesting to hear his take on Bluegrass. His tenor has always evoked a smoother Don Henley of The Eagles, a band which has evidently influenced his sound for this record.

For me, this album took a couple of listens to grow on me, and although it may not be as strong as the more Easy Listening-style "The Walls Came Down", "Tracks" or his previous album "Fearless", it is certainly more lively and offers more variety, both lyrically and musically, than many of his previous records. Apparently, Collin Raye is never going back. And judging by this album, he doesn't need to.

If you're a fan of his past tunes...Love, Me...If I Were You and so on then his latest release will not disappoint! It's got all the great love songs and adds a bit of fun along the way in Mid Life Chrysler and his remake of Stuck In The Middle With You makes this a great CD from start to finish.

Every song is great. His remake of "Stuck in the middle with you" is refreshing. It was a hit in the seventies and sounds really cool. The last song on the CD will make the strongest person weak. "Shes with me" is one of those Collin songs that will re-introduce him to a new generation of fans. The guy can just flat out sing. Collin sounds so much like Don Henley. It is just so cool to here him sing.

True talent, to me, is an artist who can perform many different types of songs and do them all well. For anyone who has listened to all of Collin Raye's songs and who has seen him in concert without any help from the studio in a live setting, Collin Raye exhibits true talent. This CD, created in Muscle Shoals, AL is nothing short of TERRIFIC. The CD combines Eagles style country rock with story songs, love songs, ballads, and much more. The song "She's With Me" was written by Collin as a tribute to his 8 yr old granddaughter, Haley. Every review I have read on different sites claims a different song on the CD as a "favorite." That is because they are all excellent and are all Number One choices. I respect the opinions of anyone who reviews music, but anyone who rates this CD with only 1 star is on a different planet....Sorry, but read all the reviews from the industry critics...you are on your own. Makes me wonder if something else is factoring into your review????

Collin is the master of singing songs that both country and non-country fans can enjoy. This album is one of the best he has ever released. I love it!

Saw artist on Fox News Show "Huckabee" and followed Mike Huckabee's recommendation to buy. Great C & W artist. I love the song "My Mid-Life Chrysler".

I am very pleased with the song selection and performance on this CD. In my opinion it is a stronger CD than his last (Twenty Years & Change). Never Going Back, the title track is an instant favorite, as Collin once again shows his wilder side and really shows his vocal ability and creativity on this rockin' song. It is definitely his best album since "Can't Back Down" back in 2001, and probaby even better than it overall. There is a great mixture of up-tempo/rockin' songs and great ballads that Collin is most known for. I can't go without mentioning the duet with Susan Ashton, wish is a very powerful performance, as their harmony is awesome together! One of the best duets you will ever hear! This is a great CD for all the Collin Raye fans, and a great CD if it is your first CD from him. There is something on here for any music fan.

Raye came out blazing in 1991, reeling off four straight million selling albums and a string of hit country singles. He waxed a compelling catalog that mixed standard Nashville topics with more daring message songs, but his commercial success tailed off at decade's end. Freed from his contract with Epic, Raye's gone the indie route with a live disc and a series of studio albums that rekindle the melodic productions of his hit years. His latest is more relaxed than 2005's Twenty Years and Change, staying closer to the balladry of 2006's Fearless. Raye's Nashville fans may wonder where the twang got to, but his adopted West Coast country-rock sound fits him well. Eagles fans will do a double-take as the title track borrows a good page from the Don Henley songbook.

The echo of Henley's voice is actually heard throughout the album, even when the lyrics turn to more straightforward love ballads and the productions gain a smoothness the Eagles typically didn't seek. Raye clearly learned a thing or two about record production during his tenure with Epic, and with producer Michael Curtis he's waxed an indie album that sounds as polished as anything on the majors. That may seem easy in this day of vocal tuning, digital processing and automated mixing, but knowing what to record and how to record it aren't lessons that come with computer software. This is a mainstream album, but Raye's loosened up his Nashville instincts by recording in Muscle Shoals, allowing local players to add a dash of swinging soul that pushes the music beyond cookie cutter contemporary country.

The Muscle Shoals sound refreshes a cover of Stealers Wheel's "Stuck in the Middle with You." You can still hear the song's signature melodic hook, but the organ and guitar are rowdier and the vocal is more of a bar-band blues shout than the original's nasal nod to Dylan. Dire Straits-styled guitar chords open the satisfied "Mid-Life Chrysler," and a serendipitous Las Vegas adventure provides the story for the carefree "Where it Leads." A few of the love songs sound pedestrian in this company, and a cover of "Without You" is staged as a duet (with Susan Ashton) that's professional but no match for Nilsson's signature hit. More engaging is the lost-husband tearjerker "The Cross" and Raye's thought-provoking take on a Christian's individual responsibility, "The Only Jesus." The album closes with the highly personal "She's With Me," a tender acoustic ballad written by Raye for his granddaughter.

On its surface, this album sounds like others coming out of Nashville, and could readily catch on with radio. But there's a lot more heart, soul, craft and emotion here than the typical Music Row construction, and this could also catch on with those who've forsaken mainstream country. Raye's fans will find him in great voice and spirits, and those alt.country fans who find that commercial production favorably crosses their ears once in awhile should check out the upbeat tracks for a taste of country rock and soul. [©2009 hyperbolium dot com]

I purchased this CD to give to my sister in law who along with her husband have loved and beautifully cared for their daughter who is severely handicapped for 27 years. I heard the song " She's With Me" during an interview that Collin did on Catholic radio and immediately thought of my niece and her loving parents. i was pleased that the CD arrived so quickly and happy to share Collins touching song with this family.

More great sounds from Collin Raye! His music and lyrics are so wonderful. I am happy to have it in my collection.