Blake Shelton Texoma Shore
If I'm honest, I will say that Blake manages to surprise me with his ability to record a full album of good songs. I'm not talking about hits, because he manages to extend his list every cycle, but I don't always find the deeper cuts to be as appealing. His last record was a consistent entry into his catalogue, while his trip to the Texoma Shore was a pleasant walk alongside the aural aquatic. The opening tune remains my favorite, but what is a shore without the wave? While not as engaging as the aforementioned, its sentiment can be appreciated and rinses out the initial distaste of hearing its water related metaphors that have already been established. "Got The T-Shirt" is even better in its own metaphorical apparel, no sarcasm adorning this statement. I would be remiss to mention that Miranda comes to mind, and that it was a wave goodbye to his last ex while the preceding track is Gwen Stefani and her welcome embrace. With all of this heartwork, Shelton has a hangover due. Some of these tracks are just feelgood pleasantries that may end up making Shelton a little money, the hick-hopper of the bunch, and balance out the numbers a tad more taxing emotionally. "I Lived It" is a memoir of sorts, listing some risky business, or some things that sound so when it comes to the standards of today. It is high on reminiscence and is a serene vignette of what Shelton had conquered.
Kid Rock Sweet Southern Sugar
Rock has always been cocky, and has lived u to his name as an "All -American Bad-A--," but along his musical journey he has shown that he has a softer and sweeter side, and sometimes the speakers pour out honey, the "Tennessee Mountain Top" comes to mind with its own version of utopia and a backing vocalist reminiscent of Billy Gibbons. "The Greatest Show on Earth" is an energizing and adrenaline fueled ride that fosters visions of that show in action. After seeing The Greatest Showman, I can see this musical number being choreographed by the circus troupe of misfits P.T Barnum had assembled. Although, it does heighten expectations with this song worth the price of admission, the rest of the album may not excite as much, but it engages you all the same. While "I Wonder" and "Po-Dunk" are good enough, Rock serves a few uplifting tunes that are the trapeze artists that may catch their counterparts not as likely to hang on.
Although an American is ultimately born free to live how they prefer to some degree, the same can be said for how they want to die; or "Stand the Pain" and thrive. The prevalence of suicide is asserting itself, and is appearing to be a more viable option for those considering an early retreat "Back to the Otherside." The song is honorable in aim, and is accurate in its description of how everyone may feel at some point living "in the age of this life where it seems that love ain't enough." It offers reassurance for the optimistic as well, because even they experience existential crises, and true believers "because God is great and he always forgives." We may not know the reason why some things happen or why our plans never come to fruition, but it can be said that God is more aware of what is better and interjects his idea while we may struggle with indecision. "Take it easier on yourself, don't ask why," and that is one of my resolutions I should shift its prompt to more than try. The former tackles the same subject, and is another uplifting anthem to arm oneself with when an existential crisis rears its ugly head, or you feel that you may have missed the mark when it came to achieving your dreams: "Sometimes life's plans can be postponed, and it's hard to step back into the unknown."
KId Rock's cover of "Sugar Pie Honey Bunch" may not posess the same amount of energy that the Four Tops had mustered, but it is just as sweet. "Grandpa's Jam" sounds like Rock is in the mood to break someone off with Uncle K in a condiment of sweet nostalgia with a pinch of all the best ingredients to make it ring true.
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