Customer Reviews

Songs About Me

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

While compelled to write a review of this album, I was further compelled to write a review after reading the review by Mrs. A. Browning, a supposed wife of a soldier, who denounced the album as exploitation and suggested that others not buy the album.

Country singers such as Trace and Toby are not exploiting our soldiers in an effort to "cash in," as Mrs. Browning suggests. Rather they are among the rare and the few who have the glandular fortitude to honor our men in uniform in this age of political incorrectness and anti-war fervor.

A true wife of a soldier would honor the sacrifice that her husband is making for his country. She wouldn't denounce it. No, it's not romantic, but it's something to be honored. This is specifically what Trace does in his song, "Arlington." He honors the sacrifice that our soldiers have made. He honors their lives and their deaths. He not only honors it, he memorializes it, capturing it in a song that will bring anyone to tears. It's a tearful subject, and it's not one that should go unappreciated.

We need to remember. We need to remember the men, their sacrifices, and their lives. Most of all, we need to remember that we wouldn't be celebrating our lives as free Americans were it not for those buried at the Arlington National Cemetary.

Trace ... thank you for honoring the dead by capturing their essence in song. I appreciate your willingness to honor the dead by singing of them in song. The hearts of those men were beautiful, and they willingly gave all for many who will never give any.

Purchase the album for the quality of the music, which is excellent. If you're anti-war and anti-Bush, perhaps, you should go visit Michael Moore's site. He has more than enough hatred to drown you in.

I have to say, I've been a long-time fan of Trace Adkins. He has a very beautiful Baritone Voice when he sings that just melts your heart. All his songs have a special meaning to them, some are sad and Heartfelt, others are Happy and Upbeat. One of the stand-out songs on this album is the song "Arlington", it's a beautiful strong Patriotic song to a Fallen soldier. This album is definetly worth buying for your collection, don't miss out!!!!

Prime Cuts: Arlington, Honky Tonk Badonkadent, I Learned How to Love You

Despite the stiff and often aggressive competition, country music has remained sacrosanct. On the title track, "Songs about Me," Adkins uncovers the genre's tenacity: "(they are) songs about loving and living/and good hearted women and family and God/yeah they're all just songs about me." Not since Clinton Gregory's "(If It Weren't For Country Music) I'd Go Crazy," has there been a better apologetic paean. With a finesse that is moving, this bluesy guitar driven midtempo title track is only proleptic of the arête material to follow. On the whole, "Songs about Me" is perhaps this lanky Texan's most balanced and amicable CD. Attributive to the album's affectation is that most of these songs come from Music Row's finest scribes including River Rutherford, Tim Mensy, Tom Shapiro, George Teren, Shane Minor, Tony Martin and Ed Hill amongst other maestros.

Charming as the title track is, "Arlington" is even more beguiling. A sensitive ballad told from the perspective of a fallen soldier being laid to rest a "thousand stones away" from his granddad in the same field of honor, this is heart wrenching stuff. Adkins' muscular yet mesmeric baritone has never been utilized to greater effect than on the sensitive power ballad "I Learned How to Love You." Co-written by Tim Mensy and Steve Nathan, this piano and string laden number is postcard perfect for being a radio darling. Possessing the same romantic vibe is the more upbeat Shane Minor and Wendell Mobley's "Find Me a Preacher;" this time finding a lovesick Adkins ready to pounce on the thought of tying the knot.

In the wake of the successes enjoyed by more maverick acts such as Big and Rich and Gretchen Wilson, it's assuring to find major acts starting to color outside the lines. Suspending all rules of political correctness (that have given so many of Nashville's products such an artificial sheen) "Honky Tonk Badonkadent" is a salacious and rowdy barnburner that ought to make every red-blooded male proud. Packed with punch over some macho pounding drums, the feminine vile has not much celebrated with such honesty since Confederate Railroad's "Trashy Woman." On the other extreme, you will find a more sensitive Adkins on the limpid "My Heaven." Coming from the pens of Jim Collins and Chris Wallin. "My Heaven" finds a homely dad likening the celestial city with the comforts of home.

However, not all works. Veering too close to Toby Keith's in-your-face bawdy terrain is the "Baby I'm Home." Unlike Keith who is often interesting, Adkins' bluesy-rock "Baby I'm Home" with its uncalled for sensuous storyline is on the patronizing side. Equally forgettable is River Rutherford and George Teren's "Bring It On"--an average 70s rock number with that occasional fiddling just to remind you that it is country.

Nevertheless, despite a few tarnishes, there's much to savor on Adkins' sixth CD bearing the Capitol Nashville logo. This is perhaps Adkins most lyrically diverse album with all the major themes of country music covered ranging from romance to family to the honky tonks to the military. Also, there's a deeper sense of maturity evident in Adkins' nuances. This has added an emotional heft to his delivery making listening to his ballads such as "Arlington" and "I Learned How to Love You" a real treat.

Trace has always been a favorite of mine. This song Arlington is just fantastic. Any funeral you have been to for a Vet it gives you a chill right down your spine. It has a positive outlook to death; and it is a song that stops you right in your tracks. Trace's entire CD is great; but you have to listen to Arlington.

A great mixture of pure country music....you will feel like dancing, you will cry when you listen to the song "Arlington" and be reminded to take time out and be romantic all from this one CD!

Trace Adkins does it again!!! That smooth baritone voice singing "Bring It On" will make you feel secure and loved..regardless of what you may have faced...I highly recommend this CD for everyone!!!!!

In her previous review of this album, A Browning criticizes Trace and other singers for capitalizing on our present war. I'm sure your husband is so proud to know his wife thinks so little of our soldiers, present and past, that she needs to trash music that is meant to be such an honor and remembrace of them. My son is in the Air Force and I can guarantee that he and his buddies don't feel "capitalized" by any of the support they are receiving from our musicians. Buy this album - it's wonderfully written and will become a favorite as soon as you hear it.

I love Trace Adkins. His songs just really touch me. I bought this CD because of one song in particular, Arlington. It really touched me because we had just returned from Washington, DC this summer when I heard this song. Having just come from Arlington National Cemetery, it just really made me feel my American roots and how grateful I am for this country and the men and women who sacrifice their lives to keep us free. Of course, I enjoy the entire CD, not a disappointing song on the disc.

This is one of those gotta-have-gotta-play-really-loud CDs in my collection. Trace is an all-time favourite, and every track on this collection - for me - he smacks right out of the park. And, the darndest thing?! He gets better and better wi' every release. Perhaps the primary reason I had to have this particular CD so soon is "Arlington". I live in Northern Virginia, and have visited Arlington on several occasions. My adoptive father and adoptive brother were both in the Marine Corps, and I work for a Government IT contractor with several retired military personnel. "Hooah" is a daily greeting in my workplace. We honour the military - the active, the inactive, those on long tours of duty away from their loved ones, the fallen, the fighting - every soldier, every day. "Arlington", and Trace's rendition of it, brings tears to my eyes and makes me proud of every soldier who has every fought for Old Glory. In these tumultous times with everyone fighting and bickering - right, left, and middle - it's refreshing to hear honours and tributes to those who rely on the support of those here at home. War is an ugly venture, hardly romantic. Still, it's a fact of life and we should pay homage to those who willingly give their lives to the service of their country and the freedom of their fellow citizens - worldwide. Obviously, not all of us are that brave... Instead of yammering against war and the military, come up with better alternatives.

I'm thrilled with Trace and Toby, Daryl and John Michael - and all the others, for their tributes to those brave enough to serve in the defense of this country and on behalf of those who desire freedom. How can one find fault wi' honour and homage when it's sung so beautifully?!

This album has the songs every one can relate to....Songs About Me is a song about everyone of us....

Arlington is heart stopping and just beautifully done - there is no one that can sing this song like Trace with that deep baritone voice of his. It is a story of a soldier that lost his life and laid to rest at Arlington.

Find Me a Preacher, My Way Back, I Wish It Was You, Bring It On, My Heaven, Baby I'm Home, Metropolis, I Learned How To Love From You, and Honky Tonk Badonkadonk......just all awesome in their own unique way.

Need to release more singles from this....my recommendation for the next two singles would be Arlington and Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.

Buy this CD and you will not be able to take from the CD player. Better pick up 2 or 3 copies of this one!!!!

Great CD. Has made me a Trace Adkins fan. His voice and style grows favorably the more it is heard.