Customer Reviews

Sunset Man

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

James Otto's first disc was good -- actually a great debut, but it skidded under the country radar, but that is due to radio's need to play the same artists over and over again until we know the words in reverse. I was more than happy when I heard his voice again on the radio. For one, anyone who hears it just once will recognize it the moment they hear it again. Otto's voice is rich, and deep like dark chocolate. It takes on that tiger-ish purr of Alan Jackson's with a range leap like Gary Allan's -- now that's a voice.

His new disc, "Sunset Man" is almost perfect. Every disc has their clunkers but the standouts are truly noteworthy. That excellent first single "Just Got Started Loving You" with Otto's voice climbing those scales and that slow guitar play -- MORE PLEASE!! And it delivers with cuts like "When a Woman's Not Watching," and "You Don't Act Like My Woman" are other choice cuts.

Otto's best comes into play on the slower material. He just has the voice for it. "For You" is just a pure great country song. I actually got this album twice. One for me and one for my sister who's just as hooked on Otto's voice as I am.

Prime Cuts: Where Angels Hang Around, Just Got Started Lovin' You, For You

When Otto released his debut "Days of Our Lives" in 2004, it didn't really make his day. Otto's brand of patented progressive rock with an occasional dabble with southern swamp was ahead of its time. Almost 4 years later, with the assault of the Musik Mafia (i.e., Big and Rich, Keith Anderson and Gretchen Wilson) on the country charts, the time seems right for the second advent of this Washington State native. Thanks to the familial ties of brother-in-law Jay DeMarcus (one of the Rascal Flatts) and the high and mighty John Rich (the half of Big and Rich) who helmed this CD, Otto is in good hands. Fortune indeed has already rear its head when lead single "Just Got Started Lovin' You" is already a top 5 hit. Nevertheless, two qualities set "Sunset Man" apart from the prodigious albums of country-rock efforts Nashville churns out each year. First, Otto has an expressive soulful voice that calls to mind Travis Tritt without his gruffness. Second, Otto does not just sing--he sings with his heart on the sleeve.

Of the tracks that truly show Otto's more vulnerable side are the ballads. While many rockers are reticent to show their more romantic side, this is not the case with Otto. Backed only by the lonesome steel guitar and the understated strumming of the guitar, on "For You" Otto bears his soul of the struggles he feels after a bitter breakup. A song that harkens back to Travis Tritt's "Anymore," Otto performs with high charged emotions that is simply a must hear. Less dramatic, the title cut "Sunset Man" is a thematic sequel to "For You" about a man's lifestyle after he has lost his true love. "Sunset Man," the title cut, is perhaps the most country track on this record. More emotional moments abound with "Where Angels Hang Around" is a moving tribute to St. Jude Children's Hospital where Otto squeezes every emotion from every note.

"Just Got Started Lovin' You," the lead single, is postcard perfect for a hit. Its incessant drum beat, its catchy hooks, its sensuous lyrics of a plea for passionate love, and Otto's bluesy soul vocals are all ingredients for a great song. Otto does exhibit his humorous side on "Drink and Dial" over a high octane workout heavy with wailing guitars and rolling drum works. Edgy guitars lead the way for sophomore single "Ain't Gonna Start." However, truth be told, there's nothing that's immediately grabbing about this new single. Ditto for "Damn Right."

Otto, like the members of his troupe Muzik Mafia, knows the way around country radio. This new disc is choke full of servings for country radio. However, Otto with his attention paid to selecting songs that deal with the heart, create depth and promise often in dire when it comes to such rock-country CDs. With a career looking so bright, it won't be long before the sun of stardom beams on the sunset man.

James Otto has great potential with his strong, gritty soulful voice.
However, this album "sunset man" I feel is a dud.
The song "just got started loving you" totally deserves to be a number 1 hit.
This song is pure hard country at it's best. On a recent road trip I listened to the cd twice and aside from just got started loving you, it struck me as just boring. I ended up giving the cd away.
So much of what Nashville is churning out right now is a mix of hip hop, r&b, rock and pop with pedal steele guitar or a fiddle thrown in here and there. it's not country that's for sure.
If I did this again I would just buy the mp3 down load of just got started loving you and call it good.
James, get away from the muzik mafia and you should do well.

I had never heard of this guy until his single came out (Just got started loving you). I usually don't buy CD's because of one song, but I thought I would give it a try. I LOVE this CD! I really enjoyed most of the songs, not just one or two others. If you liked his single, I really think you will not be dissappointed with this CD.

Excellent CD for anyone. I enjoyed listening to this CD. I would recommend this CD for all.

WOW...Haven't bought an album that I've liked every song like this one in a long time. True country ballads with a Travis Tritt sound. Sure "These are the Good Ole Days" will be the next big hit then again "When a woman not watching" is great and so is...well I could list everyone of them I guess! Hope to see more songs co-written with John Rich and Jay DeMarcus on the next album.

Bought this album for one song and fell in love with them all. James Otto is definitely a rising star!!

Mrs. Polishwolf

I had never even heard of James Otto. Saw this when I was browsing on Amazon. It's a great album full of fabulous music and lyrics. If you like country rock, give James Otto a try. I doubt you'll be disappointed.

James Otto's first big-time release is a decent record that showcases his vocal talents and versatility. It has both peaks and valleys, but is a record definitely worth listening to, and possibly purchasing.

I can't say I regret buying the album, because I like supporting artists (at least that's what I tell myself). I bought this album on the heels of "Just Got Started Loving You", his hit single that's been burning up the airwaves for weeks now. That catchy tune and soulful, passionate delivery sold me on this guy.

Other than that, the best songs on this record are the slower ballady-type songs like "I Don't Feel Like Your Man", "For You", "Sunset Man," and "Damn Right."

Also of note is "Where Angels Hang Around." It's a subtly-written song about St. Jude's Childrens Hospital in Memphis. You have to know what he's talking about, but I picked up on it immediately. It's a beautiful song.

Despite the smooth, soulful hits above, there are three complete and utter throwaways that made me want to re-sell this CD on eBay. The opening track, "Ain't Gonna Stop" is a "Big & Riched up" abomination of a song with stupid lyrics and juvenile rhymes like "Black Corvette... Hot Cigarette." He even mentions his own name in the song-- like a rapper. Pathetic.

The other two throwaways are "The Man That I Am" and "Drink & Dial." The former is an R&B song better suited to somebody like Chris Brown on an urban rap station. It has a drum machine intro, and simply has nothing to do with the country music genre. "Drink & Dial" is another "Big & Rich" creation that is better suited for a movie soundtrack or strip club than this album. I hate that this review has turned into this, but these 3 songs are truly hideous, and bring down the whole record.

James Otto's voice is amazing though. Powerful, smooth, yet gritty. It's a soulful, very unusual combination. He reminds me a lot of Randy Owen of Alabama and Travis Tritt. Musically, he seems to resemble elements of country/crossover greats like Ronnie Milsap and Conway Twitty. This album is definitely not straight up traditional country, but mixes a little of a bluesy-soul vibe into a contemporary country package-- something that hasn't been done recently. He also co-writes most of this songs on the album.

This guy has the potential to be something special, but he needs to ditch the MuzikMafia/Big & Rich influence to truly be great. They're holding him back.

This is my first James Otto CD and I am very pleased with the purchase. Usually when you buy a CD there is at least two or three songs that you aren't crazy about but not the case with this one. Loved them all!