Customer Reviews

Real Things

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Other than Brad Paisley, I cannot think of another of the current Nashville acts that has as good a grasp on what is or isn't country music than Joe Nichols. This album simply is a delight from start to finish.

The opening track "Real Things" sets a nice placemat for the current single "Another Side of You" (currently a top 25 and rising). For this album Nichols has tapped the cream of Nashville's songwriting community for good songs. Only one old song was selected for the album and that is the late Blaze Foley's classic "If I Could Only Fly" performed here as a duet with Lee Ann Womack and with the legendary John Hughey on steel guitar (Paul Franklin plays steel on the remaining tracks where steel is used). All of the material is top-flight and my only fear is that it may prove "too country" for today's wimpy country radio.

The copy of the CD I purchased has a 14th track on it, a wry song titled "When I'm Hurtin' " in which a country singer apologizes to the audience that the only time he really sings well is you know when. This song is easily a 5 star effort and should be released as a single

Joe Nichols is back again with his new album, 'Real Things', which hit stores today. This is the fourth studio album for Nichols, and he displays his vocal range and musical maturity here better than any other record he has released so far. From the opening track "Real Things" to the last one, "If I Could Only Fly", this album is full of quality songs. This is not Nichols' best work, but it's so close to it you can hardly tell. Joe Nichols stays true to his traditional sound on this record, and it shows on each track. This artist is definitely not one of these flavor-of-the-month types that come out of Nashville so repeatedly these days. With a voice and talent like his, it is my belief that he will be around for many, many years to come, recording great albums and making great music. It is hard sometimes to produce both quality and quantity on the same project, but Nichols does so here. There are 13 tracks, and rest assured there are no "filler" songs taking up space here. The album clocks in at just under 50 minutes, and every minute is well worth your time. The prime cuts on this album are "Real Things", "Another Side of You", "My Whiskey Years", "It Ain't No Crime", "If I Could Only Fly", and "Let's Get Drunk and Fight", this collection's answer to "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off". Joe Nichols sings about loving "real things" on this record. Well, I love real country music and this album delivers. I highly recommend 'Real Things'.

Real things. Such an appropriate title. This record, unlike so many other pop/country releases you see week after week, is the real thing.

Joe Nichols gets a little bit of that naive, wide eyed, Rogers, Arkansas boy back with his latest release. Of all country releases this year, nothing can hold a candle to Real things.

From the very get-go of the title track, Nichols hooks you, and begins to reel you in with his smooth baritone. It is almost as if he is telling you his life story throughout every track.

With the sweet tenderness of "Another side of you" to the raucous honky tonkin "Comin back in a cadillac" Nichols leaves no feeling and emotion unturned. He seems to soothe and salve his own soul in the ballad "My whiskey years".

Nichols continues to show that he can let his vocal restraint go sometimes with the non-traditional sure fire hit "It aint no crime". But the best tracks are when he does show that restraint. Nichols does a great job of revving you up, and then slowing you back down with this offering. Going from the witty "Lets get drunk and fight" to the seemingly solemn "All I need is a heart" is proof alone if you dont believe me.

Nichols closes it all out with cult hero Blaze Foley's "If i could only fly" with Lee Ann Womack. A tune anyone who has ever loved can definately identify with. Nichols seems as if he is talking to you, and you cant help but listen.

Nichols all in all hits a home run with Real Things. On a scale of 5 stars, I give it about 12. In a world of country music where some folks just seem to pay lip service to country music's history and traditions, Joe Nichols uses it as his foundation. While it may not sell 4 million copies, Real Things is the best release of his career, and probably of the year.

However I believe we will all see Joe Nichols in country music's spotlight here in 2008, and well deservedly so. And when it all comes together, it will be something you dont want to miss.

I only recently discovered Joe Nichols' incredible voice and wonderful songs. It happened when I was driving and had forgotten to take any CDs with me. Being in southern Oklahoma at the time, I could only find country music stations on the radio. Don't usually listen to the radio. His #1 song (Gimmie That Girl) from the Old Things New album was playing. I googled it when I got home and started listening to his other songs. Then I purchased all of his CDs beginning with Man with a Memory. They are all wonderful. The quality of the CDs from Amazon is fantastic. They came really fast without any expedited shipping.
I love Joe Nichols' music and I love Amazon.

His voice magically fits to the ears of listeners of any genre. Moreover, there is not a single redundant song in this album, you can spin this one again and again day after another. Also, his band did a great job to form solid & balanced plays and they are recorded with fantastic sound distribution among the parts.

The very last song is not a traditional form, however, it is worthy of savoring the moment of that song with eyes closed.

My favorite is "let's get drunk and fight", a song for a beautiful night in a peaceful land, with which you can only smile and sing along again and again. Anyone who loved the song "Black and Blue" from Whitesnake will set this song as a ring tone of his/her phone.

Joe Nichols is a pleasure to hear in the country music or any other kind of music.

EVERY song is my favorite! I absolutely love this new album and would recommend it to anyone who loves country music. I saw Joe Nichols in concert a little over a year ago when he opened for Toby Keith...I enjoyed his part of the concert as much if not more than the headliner! His smooth,deep voice reminds me of country music from years past. Definitley a must have! (note..a previous review mentioned a 14th track, I purchased my copy at T**g*t and the 14th track is an exclusive to their edition.)

If you want real country, this album is as real as it gets. Most songs are slow, but they are outstanding. This is a perfect album. Joe is quickly becoming the most underrated country artist of our time.

Standout tracks:

Real Things
Another Side of You
Who Are You When I'm Not Looking
My Whiskey Years
Let's Get Drunk and Fight
*The Difference is Night and Day
*All I Need is A Heart
*If I Could Only Fly

*=These 3 songs are among his best ever

One word discribes it all...OUTSTANDING! Joe has a smoothe voice that makes you get into the music.

This is another rock-solid Top 40 country outing from Joe Nichols, although he does keep things on a more mellow, sentimental side this time around. Fans looking for rowdy, ribald material like last album's "Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off" will have to settle for the more cautious "Let's Get Drunk And Fight All Night." Otherwise, this is an album packed with songs that seem geared towards Joe's female fan base, songs about small towns, little kids, working hard, finding sobriety and snuggling up with a faithful gal. Which is fine: with his robust, velvety voice and dedication to well-crafted country ballads that have a distinct honkytonk underpinning, Joe Nichols seems to have become this decade's Randy Travis -- a roots-oriented singer of remarkable understatement and power. More power to him. Looking forward to the next album, too! (DJ Joe Sixpack)