Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Dang Good!, September 17, 2008
To say Darius Rucker is new to country would be a slight, he grew up in the South and has cut his share of country tinged material, just take a listen to Scattered, Smothered and Covered to hear Rucker's excellent baritone in full bloom -- the guy can sing. And it is a wonderful thing to know that the material stands up to his earnest delivery.
Rucker approached the material by gathering a gaggle of current country mainstays to lend their talents, Brad Paisley's paw prints are all over, "All I Want" and that's a good thing. "Forever Road" carries the same weight of a great chorus (that you can sing along with) and a catchy hook that could get a bite from a fish without bait. But the stomper goes to "Drinkin' and Dialin'."
The ballads are the selling point here, Rucker's voice sells them. Rightfully so, he's clear in the mix, he sounds sincere on songs such as "History in the Making," and "Don't Think I Don't Know." A standout track is the contemplative "If I Had Wings," it could have been too cloying, too schmaltzy, but Rucker's voice won't allow it to be, but credit also belongs to Vince Gill and Alison Krauss for their amazing backing vocals.
An excellent pop-country disc that will get its share of radio play, and rightfully so.
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28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Darius' roots are alive, September 17, 2008
When I picked this up yesterday I was not sure what to expect. I assumed there would be 3-4 tracks that would stand out, along with some filler. But, this is an excellent record. Every track is exceptional on its own. The gems are the humorous "Drinkin and Dialin", the upbeat "It's Alright", and the touching "It won't be like this for Long", and "If I Had Wings." I am the Father of a beautiful little girl, and I literally cried listening to "It Won't be..(Damn you Darius). If you are a parent you will too, if not you should be ashamed of yourself.
But whatever your musical tastes may be, and I am not a pop country fan, but this album is earnest and real, and the musicians are excellent. Darius' baritone has never sounded better, and for all Hootie haters, you must appreciate his talents and give him his due. He has sold millions of records and can write quality music in any genre. Although, he did receive some collaborative help from some of today's best country talents, combined with his song crafting skills, the effort is worth the price. Darius states that he has found his niche, and has signed on for several albums with Capitol (Nashville), and if "Learn to Live" is just the beginning-look out! Mr. Rucker will be performing in Huntsville, AL at Big Spring Jam, Saturday Sept. 27, @ 7:30pm, and I cannot wait to hear this new material-live.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pleasantly Surprised, October 4, 2008
I was a little hesitant on this album... I love Darius and Hootie, but country? Of course I had heard the single and liked it, and my husband got the album for me. My initial reaction, not being much of a country fan, was, "Wow, this really IS country!" I didn't like it the first time. But I listened again and now I can't stop listening to it. I have tuned out the twang that I don't care for in country music and absolutely LOVE Darius' voice and lyrics on these songs. "It won't be like this for long" makes me cry every time I hear it, and I find myself singing along with a smile to "Drinkin' and dialin'". This is a great album and I love it!
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