Town Line

Aaron Lewis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 1, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: STROUDAVARIOUS
• ASIN: B004ISVGTY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,756 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. The Story Never Ends

2. Vicious Circles

3. Country Boy (Feat. George Jones and Charlie Daniels)

4. Tangled Up In You

5. Massachusetts

6. Country Boy (Radio Version)

7. Country Boy (Acoustic Version)

Editorial Reviews

'These songs are country in the sense of classic Americana', says Staind frontman Aaron Lewis of the music on his debut solo release, Town Line. 'They're simple, understandable, and founded on t quality songwriting. If you put a country accompaniment to any of the songs that I've written over the years on my acoustic, all of them would work as country tunes. I always write and play the same way. The only difference here is the accompaniment.'

And country music comes naturally for Aaron Lewis. In fact, the Staind frontman never strayed very far from country. It's something that he grew up with. It's something that he comes back to. It's something that inspires him. It's something that's in his blood.

Lewis recorded his solo debut in Nashville during early 2010, and it brandishes the singer's trademark style and a distinct country soul. Produced by Grammy award winning James Stroud and Lewis, this collection proudly sits alongside Lewis's numerous accolades. With Staind, he crafted the most-played rock song of the decade 'It's Been Awhile, sold 13 million albums worldwide, has four consecutive Top 3 debuts on the Billboard 200, and released multiple cross-format radio hits. Listeners, however, haven't heard him like this until now.

Ultimately, Lewis is giving listeners something that he always does. There's a tangible honestly to all of these songs, and he opens up with every guitar chord and lyric. 'I've always stayed true to how I feel in my songs,' he says. 'I love this country, and I feel like I've gotten to live the American dream. I m genuinely blessed to have this opportunity, and I m glad to celebrate that classic country spirit with this new music.'

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Up and Coming March 12, 2011

By Shane Windham

Format:Audio CD

I won't waste your time like other reviewers have done; complaining about how short this cd is. It's an EP. It's supposed to be short. The price reflects that. All is well with the world. The real reason I think anyone's complaining about it's length to begin with is because every song here is beautifully constructed and performed. Simply put, everyone is wanting MORE. Aaron Lewis has a voice made for this kind of country music. If we have to live in a world without Keith Whitley, Aaron Lewis is the next best thing for this genre. And I love Staind. So if you do too and have even the slightest appreciation for country music, then you will not regret buying this. Some rock artists are making very shallow attempts to break into this market. But there's nothing shallow about this.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars It's a start... March 3, 2011

By Andrew Ellington VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been a huge advocate for Aaron Lewis for years now. Ever since I first heard `Mudshovel' I've been a gigantic fan of Staind and I've always toted Lewis as the greatest voice in modern rock music, and even when the band shed their heavy edge and rerouted their sound to a more acoustic and melodic vibe I still considered them superior to most rock bands out there. They really know how to stay true to themselves and they evolve with grace. Hearing Aaron Lewis attempt country music should come off as a huge surprise. His voice has the raspy wholesomeness needed to capture the spirit of country music whist maintaining enough rock edge to constitute southern rock as apposed to straight up country music.

Think Nickleback with a better vocalist.

The EP, `Town Line', isn't a home run for Aaron. It has its moments, but I'm anticipating something a little fuller from him, whenever he releases a full length album. I've been anticipating a solo effort from him for years, and ideally it would be Aaron, an acoustic guitar and some heartache; but I'll take a country album if that's what he wants to do.

The three versions of `Country Boy' are decent enough. The album version with aid from George Jones and Charlie Daniels is ok, but I am not a political person and the whole country political jargon at the end of the song is off putting (and I only accept `weed' talk from rappers...and if you are going to pick a word to rhyme with `truck', please don't use the word `buck'). The acoustic version and the Radio Edit are better (since they don't contain the spoken word political speech at the end), but I'm not totally fond of the song itself.

I much prefer `The Story Never Ends', the albums opener. The song allows Aaron to show the grace in his voice (I love the way he can show such vulnerability, the tone in his voice conveying swelling emotion, as if he were crying). He is so endearing when he sings. `Vicious Circles' is beautifully sung and beautifully constructed; simple yet reaching. `Massachusetts' made me cry when I first heard it; it is just so full of relatable emotions.

But the best song here is `Tangled Up In You', which was also on Staind's previous album. The introduction of female backing vocals adds a lot to the already outstanding song. I loved it then and love it now, but it just doesn't feel like a new song and so it's hard to judge it as part of this album.

I already have that song!

Alas, I like this EP and it certainly wet my appetite for his next offering. I like this direction he's taking, and I can't wait to see what he does with it next.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT!! March 3, 2011

By M. Moore

Format:Audio CD

I have been a fan of Aaron Lewis for several years and I love his acoustic performances. I like most of his music when he was with Staind, but I'm more of an acoustic person and this album fits me perfectly. I'm not sure why there are 3 versions of "Country Boy" on the album, but, it is a great song. If you're a fan of his acoustic shows or videos on YouTube, then this album is going to be a hit for you.