Customer Reviews

Rockin' You Tonight

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4 star:		(2)
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"I just love great songs, things that move me, and they could be about anything, so there's a wide variety of subjects. The music should make me feel something, make you want to cry or get up and dance. Thematically, we explored more adult subjects, and that might be the big thing people notice. I was 16 when I did some of the songs on the last album, and a lot has happened since then." Blaine Larsen talks about his new CD at the ripe old age of 20.

The magic of Blaine Larsen is his rich baritone voice. It is the voice of a much older man, much like his hero George Strait. The songs that Blaine sings are a reflection of his country roots, straight-ahead, traditionalist country. Blaine Larsen is from Washington State, and he developed his country flare from his step-dad. He began singing at an early age and at the age of 16 had his first country CD.

This is the second CD for Blaine Larsen and with his rich voice he finds himself opening for Gretchen Wilson on her "Redneck Redemption Tour"

He also sings with Gretchen Wilson on the song, "Lips of a Bottle". Blaine wrote this song with a friend form Washington state. This duet brings back the feeling of George Jones/ Tammy Wynette.

The first song, is a witty, ditty "I Don't Know What She Said," a song about language differences in Mexico, and it has become a Top Forty on the Country Music Charts.

My favorite song is Mac Davis's 1972 pop hit "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me". It seems fresh and new sung by Blaine Larsen.

"I'm In Love With A Married Woman" gives us a fresh look at love and sung with some sensitivity. He has surprise for us with this one.

He has a somber commentary of "Someone Is Me" and the delivery is sweet.

"At the Gate" is an inspirational tune that talks about his family and friends who have died and he remembers fondly.

This is a CD of note, and one I have listened to several times. He's delivered a terrific album, one that qualifies as a totally unexpected and wholly enjoyable surprise. Blaine Larsen projects heart, humor, and excellence.
Highly Recommended. prisrob 06-18-06

For a young man, Blaine Larsen has a wonderfully mature voice. This, his second CD, is even better than his first. You won't be disappointed by buying this CD. The CD is shock full of good tunes, unlike most CDs which only have one or two good songs on them.

Larsen's sophomore release disproves the idea that you have the initial years of your life to record a debut, and scramble to put together the follow-up. Not only has his preternaturally mature voice become even more sophisticated, but he convincingly transcends the high-school material of his debut and slips comfortably into songs about dating, relationships and marriage. On raw ability alone -- tone, control, phrasing -- Larsen vaults past the current crop of young Nashville stars to grab your ears with the emotional depth of country music's most iconic voices. He sounds old-school even amid the overly polished performances of Nashville's studio pros, a credit to producers who let him sing unabashedly country.

Highlights include the album's sweetly funny lead single "I Don't Know What She Said," the post-high school John Mellancamp-styled romantic loss of "Rockin' You Tonight," and the Gretchen Wilson duet "Lips of a Bottle." Mac Davis' "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me" uses Larsen's low register to terrific effect, and the socially conscious "Someone is Me," also recently recorded by Kenny Rogers, is a great fit for a 20-year-old. Throughout, Larsen's confidence and natural way with song tempos amplify his natural gifts. 4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

I can't add more to what has already been said. Except, This is simply a "MUST HAVE" CD.

I love this CD - His voice has a maturity beyond his years and the songs are wonderful! Blaine even puts a great new sound to a great 'oldie'. I bought his first CD right after seeing him on GMA and have been waiting for a second one. Country music lovers will not be disappointed.

First album I listened his sound. Good sound, Cool voice,guitar. I prefer adding more acoustical songs or female chorus. I hope next album .

Prime Cuts: I'm in Love with a Married Woman, At the Gate, I Don't Know What She Said

Ever since the assault of the Music Mafia aka Big and Rich, country music, like its pop counterpart, has withered down to sheathing a wall of noise with its technological bells and whistles. Fortunately, there's still a remnant that has eschewed such sonic trinkets and they have made a bull's eye for songs that deal with the heart. Of this persuasion Blaine Larsen is the haut monde. Like Larsen's predecessor "Off to Join the World," the strength of his sophomore effort is in the songs---all of which deals with the different dimensions of love, be it romantic, spiritual or social. And part of the album's success comes from the contributions of new co-producer Tim Johnson, who has a knack for choosing heart stirring tunes evidenced by the sensitive ballads he has written in the past (i.e. Diamond Rio's "God Only Cries," Mindy McCready's "Maybe He'll Notice Her Now," and Mark Chesnutt's "Thank God for Believers" among others). Vocally, 20-year old Larsen's deep-throated tenor possesses a maturity well beyond his years and the nuances he brings to each note show depth and reflection.

Not surprisingly, the best entries come from the pen of Tim Johnson, who has invested 5 of his tunes. Most outstanding is "I'm in Love with a Married Woman." What might appear like a cheating tune with the protagonist stealing a romantic rendezvous with a mysterious lady only turns out to be a tune of marital fidelity as the lyrics unrolls. With an irresistible melody, this ballad is indeed a strong contender for the record of the year. Once a minor hit for Mark Chesnutt, Larsen ought to do justice to this ballad by bringing it all the way to the top position. Also, quite good, though some may find it a little maudlin is "At the Gate." Boasting some celestial sounding piano enhanced by some angelic strings, this Gospel ballad finds Larsen longing for heaven and reuniting with all his loved ones including his dog Bailey. Though with shades of intimating Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss' no. 1 duet "Whiskey Lullaby," "Lips of a Bottle," a duet with Gretchen Wilson, is a traditional 6/8 country ballad that harkens back to those old Tammy Wynette/George Jones weepers.

As for the non-Johnson songs, lead single "I Don't Know What She Said" is a show stealer. With a Jimmy Buffett-like ease and a south of the border feel, "I Don't Know What She Said" tells of a steamy romance between two cross-cultured lovers. A couple of covers are also noteworthy: the social satire "Someone is Me," first cut by Kenny Rogers, is a mordant ballad decrying the hypocrisy of our modern society where the rich under-tip hard-working waiters and people frowning at individuals praying in diners. Moving about from such a heavy discourse is Larsen's take of Mac Davis' uptempo "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me." Though the Rascal Flatts have tackled this song recently as a bonus track to their "Feels Like Today" CD, Larsen's take of this classic is just as infectious.

Overall, there's not a clinker in this 12-song set, all of which are merticulously produced and carefully performed. When it comes to songs that truly matters, "Rockin' You Tonight" presses all the right buttons. There are enough ballads here that waxes romance and nostalgia in its grandest eloquence as well as swaggers that ought to keep the feet tapping. In short, Larsen's sophomore effort is one that rocks on with heart as well as with heat.

I really enjoy listening to blaine's new cd. I put it in my cd player in my car as soon as i got it and I wasnt disappointed. my favorite song on this cd is the new single i dont know what she said. its an awesome track. the rest of the cd is really good too. trust me just buy it and you will find out for yourself.