Customer Reviews

Weather the Storm

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

 

 

This is a great debut from a group that will likely be around for a while. The song "Carolina Rain" is one of my favorite songs for the melody and the picture the words paint. "Dealin" is a song that everyone can relate to about those days when you feel like you're just getting by. The radio releases (so far) are as different as night and day. "Isn't She" is slow, sweet, and nostalgic about the aftermath of a break up, while "Get Outta My Way" is a rowdy upbeat song about getting rid of your wingman at the bar so you can hook up. "Sweet Virginia Kiss" reminds you a young love and has a great beat. The rest of the songs each have their own character and you can listen to the CD straight through.

This is a perfect CD for a long walk, a boat ride, or a drive through the mountains.

Prime Cuts: Isn't She, Dealin', Get Outta My Way

Good things come to those who wait. After a handful of misfired singles, all of which have had lukewarm responses from radio hitherto, Carolina Rain has finally braved through the weather with this debut on Clint Black's enterprising label Equity Records. Clear skies seem to be on the horizon as their brand new single "Get Outta My Way" is zooming up the upper echelon of the Billboard chart. Thanks are in order to the trio's Eagles-like breezy yet resonant soft-rock tunes and their southern rustic-sounding harmonies. Named after the first song they ever wrote (which is the opening track on this disc), Carolina Rain consists of Rhean Boyer, Jeremy Baxter and Marvin Evatt. Unlike other country groups that are heavily parturient by their lead singer, democracy seems to be the group's mantra. Each member actually is musically inclined: not only does each member play on the CD, but also 11 out of the 12 cuts are in-house compositions. Vocally, lead singer Boyer's sturdy tenor and the trio's congruous harmonies present a prismatic of emotions that fills the subtle nuances of each song with heart as well as depth.

Producer Clint Black's knack for songs with melodic flare is on display in penning the lead single "Get Outta My Way" (the only song not written by the boys). A cute pick-up song with a funky kick, "Get Outta My Way" rocks with a youthful abandon. The trio's originals are by no means inferior, in fact, "Isn't She," a mid-pacer, has a seductive melody engulfing a romantic valentine that goes beyond the caricature of those superficial "I-love-you" paeans. "I Ain't Sacred," a gritty propulsive number, ought to have female fans swooning with the protagonist finally willing to forgo his roving single life for marriage. Still within the ballpark of romance is the Lonestar-esque ballad "Who Needs the Sun." "Who Needs the Sun" brings out the warmth in Boyer's voice; just listening might give you a tan.

As message songs are currently in vogue (a la Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take the Wheel" and Diamond Rio's "God Only Cries"), these lads do move out of their carrel to tackle such a genre on a number of selections. Though the forlorn ballad "Somebody's Child" finds some fiddles sharing in the song's desperate cry for the homeless, the track sounds more obligatory than authentic. Much better, though not revolutionary, is the wistful utopian seeking "How Should It Be." Like an empathetic friend, "Dealin'," a song dealing with the angst of life's tribulations, offers a shoulder of comfort with its easily warmed up sing-along melody.

If there are any quibbles, it resides in the production. Perhaps due to his lack of experience at the helm, Black approaches each of these 12 cuts with a monolithic 70s soft-rock style on all the cuts. Perhaps, a little variegation especially with the uptempoes would have created a more sustaining listening experience. Nevertheless, as a whole, with their acumen for songs with a sturdy melodic flair and songs that explore the various facets of life, Carolina Rain is the badly needed elixir to modern music's relentless loop of repetitive and superficial furor. Poised for great things to come, based on this debut, fine weather is indeed ahead for these guys.

Being a professional musician I listened closely to all of the songs on this CD and I personally think this is one of the best country CD's I've heard in years. I hope the record company will support these guys. I think all of the songs are very well written. Better than most of the junk coming out of Nashville now. The three part harmony is second to none. Reminds me of Restless Heart, Eagles etc. The music is so good, mixing, steel, banjo, guitar, and mandolin at just the right levels. One of the best mixes I've heard in along time. Buy this CD and turn it up loud. It's great.

This group is really good they harmonize really well. I think they can make it on Y108 or 98.3 Froggy. Actually I think Froggy has played one of there songs before on there station The on esong is called get outta my way it's a really good song. The whole cd is really great. Alot of great music coming from this group. Buy this cd you'll really enjoy it and love the music. There a great group.

I received my CD really quickly.
I'm appreciative of the fast service.
Thanks a million!!!

My girls and I saw Carolina Rain when they opened for Carrie Underwood. They were amazing musicians with great voices and nice stage presence. We bought their cd the next day, and I have to fight my kids for it. Some of the songs are a little cheezy, but it is still a good album. I love, love, love a little Banjo in a song and Carolina Rain does not disappoint in the Banjo department. They are a great example of up and coming groups, and I hope they do really well.

I listen to all kinds of music and especially tons of "modern" country. This is one of the very best CD's that I have heard in the last year, of ANY genre. Completely listenable, over and over again for days on end. The smooth, flawless harmonies just make you feel wonderful and you find yourself singing back the songs in no time. Their singles, "I Ain't Scared," "Get Outta My Way" and "Isn't She" are here, as well as excellent tunes like "Dealin'," "How It Should Be," "All Before The Sun Goes Down," and "That's Alright with Me," any one of which could be a strong single. There's not a weak tune in the bunch. Outstanding from start to end.
I've had the CD for about 6 months, and I swear I have played it close to 200 times. And I'm looking forward to the next 200 plays.
The amazing thing is, they are just as good performing live, if not better. And you could not ask for a nicer group of people. They LOVE their fans.
These guys DESERVE major success and a big breakout like their Equity labelmates Little Big Town.

Let me start out with the Good on this CD and Carolina Rain.

Best Song: I Ain't Scared (Love that song to death)

Other winners: Isn't She and Get Outta My Way, but thats about it..

I bought this CD becasue I enjoyed "Isn't She" and Outta My Way (especially Isn't She) and because this group has some of the best male trio vocals around. However, I had a very strong feeling that the songs may be more on the poor side (don't ask me why, I just did) and it appears I was right.

The song selection and writing on this CD is really poor. They are very, very, very bland and extremely boring. Most songs are very slow, and just drag along with very little melody. Now, I don't mind listening to this CD, but don't enjoy it very much either. I mean, I can listen to the songs but not really love what i'm hearing.

This group, however, has so much obvious talent. Their vocals are way better than average. And the singles they have chosen to release are very good, but don't buy the album based on those songs. Listen to clips first or listen to a friends, or buy one used. I belive the majority of the songs won't be accepted well by music listeners

They are definetely a group to at least check out and watch for in the future. Hopefully, the songs will improve greatly with their next album. They are wasting their talent by singing songs so poor IMO.