It doesn’t hurt that he’s also blessed to sing over some mighty fine acoustic guitar and organ on this one. It’s good fun to hear Adkins praise Memphis’s music and traditions, along with Stevie Wonder and Keb’ Mo’ on “Memory to Memphis,” but one needs to suspend disbelief when hearing Snoop Dogg brag about listening to country music loud during “So Do the Neighbors.” But even when Adkins is lightheartedly celebrating car culture with “Cadillac’n,” that distinctively bellowing voice of his is a joy to behold. “It’s A Good Thing I Don’t Drink” is just such a fun, detailed tale, reminiscent of the late, great Tom T. Adkins also shines whenever he’s performing a storytelling song. One of the album’s best songs, “It All Adds Up To Us,” gives Adkins a writing credit, somewhat surprisingly. These days, Adkins rarely writes his own songs, so this album (as with most all of his releases) rises and falls with the quality of its songs. For instance, Pitbull is always like a fly at the picnic, and more of annoyance than anything else on the disposable single “Where the Country Girls At.” Then again, Melissa Etheridge’s sandpaper singing goes together surprisingly well with Adkins during the ballad “Love Walks Through the Rain.” Some of these star collaborators fit better than others when matched with Adkins’ super deep singing voice. However, this is an album of all new material – a lot of it. The album’s 25 songs mirrors Adkins’ celebration of 25 years in the music business and features a bevy of guest artists (much like a tribute album). Make sure you have enough time to listen to it. Also, when an album clocks in at the length of a typical Hollywood movie, exploring is certainly a commitment. However, there’s probably more good songs than bad ones. Is it more protein than carbs? Even after multiple listens, though, it’s still difficult to come to any decisive verdict. With his successful headline The Way I Wanna Go Tour named after his current album, Adkins has commanded stages from coast to coast and will extend into 2023.With The Way I Wanna Go, Trace Adkins’ extensive new album (25 tracks long), it’s tempting to make Adkins diet jokes when describing its sonic girth. Living up to his character’s role as the patriarch of country music’s royal family in Monarch, Adkins has solidified his own place as one of the genre’s leading icons. Mixing pure country reverence with his bold charisma, the 25-track project also features standout collaborations with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder on harmonica and more. The song is part of Adkins widely praised The Way I Wanna Go album that celebrated the 25th anniversary of his breakout debut Dreamin’ Out Loud. “‘Love Walks Through The Rain’ was a really awesome project both to film and record and I can’t wait for everyone to see the finished product.” “When Trace asked me to join him on his 25th anniversary album, I knew I had to say yes,” says Etheridge. “Many thanks to my friends at CMT for the continued support throughout the years and debuting the video for ‘Love Walks Through The Rain’ in Times Square!” “I am honored that the great Melissa Etheridge, one of the most recognizable voices in any genre of music, agreed to perform this song with me,” Adkins explains. But with Adkins and Etheridge narrating, they soon find shelter from the wind and rain of turmoil, ready to carry on once more. While a storm rages outside, a distraught couple in a darkened house battle their own emotional elements, nearly succumbing to the pain of a fight. Likewise, the track’s moody video produced and directed by Mike Stryker and Andrew Rozario captures that power on film. With Etheridge’s electrifying vocal hitting like a lightning bolt, and Adkins’ rumbling baritone following like a distant clap of thunder, the pair team up for a one-two punch of rootsy romantic toughness. Enlisting Etheridge for a dark-and-stormy power ballad, Adkins tributes a heart’s capacity to overcome in “Love Walks Through The Rain” – whether it’s a force of nature or a man-made disaster.
0 Comments
|